Piano VST plugins evolved from simple, sample-based piano instruments to complex plugins that combine synthesis, physical modeling, and sampling.
There are a lot of piano plugins on the market, so it can be time-consuming to choose the best one. I tested every great piano plugin out there and picked the best of the best to help you find your next digital piano.
The article includes VSTs as well as sample-based piano libraries for Kontakt.
You can also read my article about synthesizer VST plugins to expand your virtual instrument collection further.
Best piano VST plugins in 2024
These are the best piano VSTs in 2024:
- Pianoteq
- Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos
- XLN Audio Addictive Keys Studio Grand
- CFX Concert Grand
- Spectrasonics Keyscape
- Native Instruments Noire
- Arturia Piano V
- Soundpaint 1928 Steinway Grand Piano
- 99Sounds Upright Piano
Paid Piano VST Plugins
Pianoteq
Pianoteq is a state-of-the-art sampled piano instrument. Known for its minimal impact on the processor and hard drive space, it has evolved significantly beyond its original scope as a virtual piano plugin.
The sound library now includes a diverse range of pianos, chromatic percussion, harps, and more, making its original name seem somewhat limiting.
Customers can tailor the library according to their preferences when purchasing the plugin. You can select one of Pianoteq’s four entry levels, each offering access to a base pack of 14 instruments with the option to add more from a collection of over 20 packs based on the purchase level.
The Pro version includes advanced editing features not available in the lower-priced versions, so carefully consider which version meets your needs as a user.
The latest edition of Pianoteq introduces a Classical Guitar sound pack, extending the software’s capabilities and hinting at future expansions. It offers a new fret-based playing surface and nuanced guitar sounds enriched with realistic string movements.
However, Pianoteq’s core strength remains its piano pack. It is an excellent-sounding piano with unparalleled acoustic qualities and endorsements from renowned manufacturers.
Pianoteq sets the standard for virtual piano instruments. The formidable sound quality makes Pianoteq a standout choice for musicians and producers seeking a comprehensive and customizable piano plugin.
If I could pick only one piano plugin for my recording studio, it would be Pianoteq.
MSRP: $269
Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos
Ivory II Grand Pianos is a musically rewarding addition to the modeled piano market. It offers flexible, efficient playback and a rich, detailed sound that closely resembles the experience of playing a real grand piano in a studio setting.
Synthogy’s plugin offers two distinct grand pianos, a Steinway Model B and a Bösendorfer Model 225, each recorded in iconic American studios by experienced engineers.
The Steinway Model B, recorded at Power Station New England, and the Bösendorfer 225, captured at Firehouse Recording Studio in Pasadena, offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different musical tastes and styles.
The Steinway B is noted for its warm and woody character, ideal for intimate solo playing and accompaniment, while the Bösendorfer 225 shines with a brighter, more expansive sound that suits jazz and expressive upper octave play.
The plugin offers a host of interesting customization features. My favorite options are the Shimmer parameter for adjusting the decay phase of higher harmonics, customizable pedal parameters for nuanced sustain pedal control, and high-resolution MIDI velocity response for more expressive performance capabilities.
Ivory II Studio Grands boasts a 112GB library of classical piano tones. Despite the excellent sample quality, the default settings may require adjustment for those seeking brighter and louder tones.
Also, the library’s size and the lack of alternative microphone perspectives or mixing options could limit its appeal for some users, particularly those with limited storage capacity or a desire for more sound customization.
Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos is my second favorite piano. Its unique character complements my other sampled piano plugin options.
The sound quality alone makes it a worthy investment for musicians who use VSTs to introduce the sound of a piano to their music.
MSRP: $279
XLN Audio Addictive Keys Studio Grand
Addictive Keys is a versatile piano plugin by XLN Audio, the company behind the popular Addictive Drums instrument.
The current version of Addictive Keys includes three piano instruments: Studio Grand, Modern Upright pianos, and a Fender Rhodes electric piano. The piano patches are available for separate purchase or as a bundled package.
Addictive Keys stands out for its detailed approach to microphone perspectives. It offers up to seven mic positions for each piano, letting you customize the sound of the piano, from intimate rooms to huge stage piano tones and anything in between.
The Studio Grand features a Steinway Model D recorded from multiple angles, offering a realistic sound with plenty of detail and resonance.
The Modern Upright, a Yamaha U3, surprises with its body and sustain, contrary to the typical shortcomings of sampled uprights.
However, the Fender Rhodes piano sampled for AK exhibits some inconsistency in velocity switching and tone variation across the keyboard.
Addictive Keys sports a straightforward and efficient user interface, with dedicated screens for navigating instruments and presets. The editing features are comprehensive, allowing users to customize velocity scaling, sample playback settings, and synthesis options.
Addictive Keys also offers effects modules, parametric EQ, and DAW automation for further sound shaping.
A unique feature of AK is the Memo function, enabling users to record and save musical ideas within the software. This extends to preset management, with an online system called My Cloud for syncing presets across devices.
MSRP: $89.95
CFX Concert Grand
Garritan CFX Concert Grand is a high-quality, versatile virtual piano. Its expressiveness and playability sound make the CFX Concert Grand ideal for composers and performers.
However, the realism and depth are its strongest points, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a top-tier acoustic piano simulation.
The plugin features a rarely sampled nine-foot Yamaha CFX grand piano. Recorded in Abbey Road Studio One with diverse mic setups, it offers three perspectives (Classic, Contemporary, and Player) to cater to different musical styles.
CFX Concert Grand’s user interface is consistent across standalone and plugin modes. It is user-friendly and divided into five main pages, allowing various customization options.
The vast library requires 132GB of storage post-decompression. However, the attention to detail, including multiple dynamic levels and round robins per note, makes it worth the hard drive space.
However, there are some downsides.
The plugin’s significant CPU and RAM usage might concern some users, and its focus on a single piano model might limit those seeking variety. It would be fantastic if it offered more options, such as the Yamaha C3 NEO Grand Piano or Steinway D Concert Grand.
On the other hand, its perfection in capturing the CFX piano sound is something you won’t find in other piano plugins.
MSRP: $199.95
Spectrasonics Keyscape
Keyscape is a high-quality keyboard library that combines practical playability and extensive sound design capabilities. Its comprehensive keyboard collection marks a new standard for vintage keyboard and piano libraries.
Developed by Spectrasonics, a company known for its state-of-the-art virtual instruments since 1994, Keyscape showcases 36 keyboard models, including some of the best-sounding piano patches on the market.
Keyscape excludes organs and analog synths, focusing instead on multi-sampled electro-mechanical and acoustic instruments, with some digital ’80s classics.
The library is over 200GB but is compressed to a more manageable 77GB for hard drive storage. Users can install the full collection or opt for a 30GB ‘Lite’ version designed for live performance.
Keyscape operates exclusively on Spectrasonics’ STEAM sound engine, which is compatible with major DAWs on Mac and Windows and supports VST/AU/AAX platforms. It also integrates with Omnisphere 2 for additional sound-design possibilities.
My favorite Keyscape preset is the ‘LA Custom Rhodes,’ a meticulously sampled 1974 Fender Rhodes Suitcase renowned for its brilliant, bell-like attack and rich sustain.
The e-piano presets also cover a Vintage Vibe Electric Piano, a Rhodes Piano Bass, and rare instruments like the Weltmeister Basset 1 and 2.
Beyond electric pianos, Keyscape offers a Yamaha C7 concert grand piano, one of the best-sounding virtual pianos on the market. The grand piano is deeply sampled, capturing the unique quirks and tonalities of the original instrument.
MSRP: $399
Native Instruments Pianos
Native Instruments offers multiple piano options, ranging from a Yamaha Grand Piano to a fantastic-sounding Steinway Model D Grand Piano.
We are focusing on its Noire piano library, which is one of the best piano libraries for Kontakt. It plays almost exactly like a real piano would, making it my go-to choice for musical experimentation and sketching new ideas.
Noire presents an innovative take on the Concert Grand piano. It offers a depth of editable features and the unique Particles Engine, setting it apart from the myriad of virtual pianos.
Users can choose between two main piano options: a Pure version for a straightforward piano sound and a Felted version that uses felt to create a muted, intimate tone.
Despite the lack of microphone-mixing options, which can limit sound perspective customization, Noire offers a rich and dynamic playing experience across its range.
The Particles Engine generates complementary notes or sounds in response to played notes, adding rhythmic or harmonic textures to the piano parts. Another helpful feature is the Piano Edit Page, which allows for detailed customization of resonances, overtones, and felt noise.
Noire’s sound quality, creative sampling process, and the Particles Engine position it as one of the most inspiring sampled pianos. It transcends traditional expectations of a virtual piano, catering to the need for realistic piano sounds and offering innovative ways to augment compositions.
MSRP: $149
Arturia Piano V
The Arturia Piano V is a high-end virtual piano instrument that stands out due to its impressive range of features and quality.
Despite being one of the most expensive piano plugins, the price is largely justified by its performance and capabilities.
Arturia Piano V boasts an attractive interface with a side view of a grand piano and easily accessible controls.
The plugin’s top bar contains a vast preset library, convenient filters, favorite settings, and a MIDI mapping feature. The main window includes essential controls and a full-sized piano roll, with additional features available in slide-out controls.
The preset library is extensive, with nearly 90 piano presets divided into Standard, Processed, and Experimental categories. The collection includes many piano tones that cover various music styles.
The instrument includes twelve unique piano models with distinct sounds, from traditional grand pianos to experimental options like Plucked Grand and Metal Grand.
Piano tuning options are detailed, with controls for string tension, unison detune, stretch tuning, and hammer hardness. You can also fine-tune the performance settings, such as pedal noise and lid position, further enhancing the impression that you are playing a real piano.
The Mic Setup feature offers extensive control over microphone placement and sound, with different settings for each piano type and a mixer for fine-tuning. The Room Setup includes fourteen reverb models, providing a range of spatial effects to the sound.
Additionally, the Master section features a 5-band parametric EQ and a musical compressor for further tone shaping.
MSRP: $249
Best FREE Piano VST Plugins
Soundpaint 1928 Steinway Grand Piano
The 1928 Steinway Piano from 8Dio is one of the best free piano plugins available in 2024. It stands out because it uses deep sampling to capture the unique character of an iconic piano.
With 11,095 samples totaling 10.7GB, the Soundpaint 1928 Steinway Grand Piano features two microphone positions and over 40 custom convolution reverbs, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail 8Dio is known for.
The sampled piano is a 1928 Steinway Grand, a model celebrated for its craftsmanship and the rich, lush sound that it produces. The specific piano sampled for this library still possesses its original strings from 1928, ensuring the authenticity and character of the sound are preserved.
The plugin delivers a nuanced performance and an authentic grand piano sound, particularly noticeable in the lower and higher ranges where many pianos struggle to maintain realism.
The 1928 Steinway Piano is the first to offer round-robin-based sustains and staccatos, enhancing its responsiveness and expressive potential. Users can tweak the sound through various in-interface options, including adjustments for articulations, EQ, and pedal noise.
If you want to expand beyond the traditional piano sound, the Piano Blending section allows for creative combinations with instruments like guitars, Rhodes, and Glass Marimba, supported by a suite of built-in effects.
MSRP: Free.
99Sounds Upright Piano
Upright Piano by 99Sounds is a free piano instrument available in VST, VST3, and AU formats for both PC and Mac users.
This instrument relies on piano samples recorded by Rudi Fiasco, which are also accessible in WAV and SFZ formats on his website.
Upright Piano offers four sampled notes per octave and six dynamic layers for each note, ensuring a rich and authentic sound. The interface provides comprehensive control over various parameters, including envelope, key release, volume, tremolo, filter cutoff, and reverb, making it versatile for different music production needs.
Upright Piano is designed to deliver a realistic piano sound right from the start, but it also offers the flexibility to achieve a lo-fi sound through its built-in effects. This makes it suitable for traditional piano sounds and processed piano tones, ideal for genres like lo-fi hip-hop and urban music.
By applying the modulation and filtering effects, you can turn your piano into a lo-fi instrument with plenty of character. It is perfect for emotional piano sequences and background chords.
MSRP: Free.
Best Piano VST Plugins Summary
The current virtual piano space offers multiple options, regardless of the type of piano you need. From the deeply sampled Noire from Native Instruments with its unique Particles Engine to budget options like the 99Sounds’ Upright Piano, there’s something for every type of musician and producer.
Each plugin brings unique strengths to the table, whether through advanced sampling techniques, modeling technology, or innovative playback features.
Those looking for a Model D Concert Grand Piano should look no further than the XLN Audio Addictive Keys Studio Grand. Less experienced piano players can take advantage of the performance features available in Noire (which requires free Kontakt 5 Player).
However, when it comes to piano plugins, playing the piano in your studio is the best way to make sure it fits your workflow. So, use our list of the best piano plugins as a guideline and test several options before choosing your favorite.
2 Comments
You are the best.
How can Pianoteq use samples? It is know because of its years of development on physically modeled synthesis. Thats the reason its still below the 100 mb. It also has a recording (midi/audio) option and it shows chords. So a great plugin for sketching. But to my ears like the Arturia it still sounds ‘thin’. As I got a Novation Launchkey mini today it is bundled with the free Addictive Keys. The UI and features share some points with Pianoteq. Like the way you can change the mics and position. But it sounds better than the first two. As its free you can start with a midi controller AND a piano for below the 100 bucks!! I bouht it for portability and my laptop does nog like the larger libraries like Keyscape. So for me Addictive Keys is a good option.