Best Software Instruments for REAPER (Windows & Mac)
This page is your “paid upgrades” hub (affiliate later), designed to work perfectly with REAPER. On Windows, prefer VST3 installs when offered. On Mac, AU or VST3 both work well in REAPER.
Jump to picks Start with Free Plugins
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Learn more.
Top picks (by use-case)
| Pick | Why it’s good | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-in-one instrument bundle Value | One purchase that covers lots of instruments. Great when you want “everything in one place”. | Producers who want a big palette | Browse deals |
| Piano plugin (realistic) Keys | If you play keys, a strong piano is the most satisfying upgrade after the free options. | Pianists, composers, practice | See piano plugins |
| Synth plugin Sound | Paid synths tend to come with better presets + workflow than free choices. | Pop/EDM/cinematic | See synth plugins |
| Drum instrument Beats | Speeds up workflow and gets “finished” drum sounds fast. | Beat makers, rock/pop demos | See drum tools |
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Free checklist (coming soon)
I’m preparing a free downloadable checklist: “My 10 essential REAPER instruments (and what each one is for)”.
For now, start here: Best Free VST Plugins and then come back to this page for the paid upgrades.
Future spot for the free checklist signup (ConvertKit/MailerLite).
Suggested internal links
- Best Free VST Plugins (traffic entry page)
- Best Audio Interfaces (hardware upgrade path)
- Software Instruments Blog (deep content)