Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Audio Plugins

iZotope Ozone vs Guitar Rig

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score iZotope Ozone #3 in Audio Plugins 9.1/10 10-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit iZotope
Guitar Rig #5 in Audio Plugins 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Guitar Rig

iZotope Ozone leads on 0 checks, Guitar Rig on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreiZotope Ozone · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Guitar Rig
  • Free trialonly iZotope Ozone
  • Most featuresiZotope Ozone · 1 of 3

iZotope Ozone scores higher on our rubric for audio plugins: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Guitar Rig offers free plan; iZotope Ozone doesn't. On product scope, iZotope Ozone gives you Suite where Guitar Rig offers Bundle.

iZotope Ozone is the better fit for producers focused on AI-assisted mastering. Guitar Rig is the better fit for guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling.

  • iZotope Ozone fits best

    Producers focused on AI-assisted mastering

  • Guitar Rig fits best

    Guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature iZotope Ozone 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Guitar Rig 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #3 in Audio Plugins #5 in Audio Plugins
Best for Producers focused on AI-assisted mastering Guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $55 one-time —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 10 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS, Windows Windows, macOS
Features iZotope Ozone 1/3 · Guitar Rig 0/3
External sidechain Not checked yet Not checked yet
Oversampling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Surround support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Plugin formats AAX, AU, VST3 VST3, Audio Units (AU), AAX
Effect types equalization, dynamics, compression, limiting, saturation, stereo imaging, loudness processing, dithering amplifier and cabinet simulation, distortion, delay, reverb, modulation, filtering, dynamics and EQ
License model Both Both
Product scope Suite Bundle
Our review
Pros
  • Master Assistant creates custom processing flows to guide mastering.
  • Advanced includes Stem EQ for separate processing of vocals, bass, drums and instruments.
  • Reference comparison, Codec Preview and dithering support finishing work.
  • Combines amplifier and cabinet modeling with guitar and bass effects
  • Works as a standalone app or DAW plug-in on Windows and macOS
  • Preset management and modular signal-chain routing support sound shaping
Cons
  • The $55 Elements edition has core tools; editable modules start with Standard at $219.
  • Advanced costs $499, making its 20-module suite a substantial one-time purchase.
  • Ozone focuses on mastering rather than broad music production tasks.
  • Player has a smaller component selection than the Pro edition
  • Focused on guitar and bass tone creation rather than general audio production
  • Requires a Windows or macOS desktop
Our verdict

iZotope Ozone is a software suite for audio mastering, aimed at musicians, producers and audio engineers who want tools for finishing tracks. It covers equalization, dynamics, limiting, stereo imaging, saturation, loudness control,…

Read the review →

Guitar Rig is Native Instruments’ software suite for creating guitar and bass tones, combining amplifier and cabinet modeling with effects and studio-processing tools. It suits musicians and producers who want to shape instrument sounds…

Read the review →
  1. iZotope OzoneAudio Plugins 9.110-day trial
  2. Guitar RigAudio Plugins 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iZotope Ozone — where it wins

    • Master Assistant creates custom processing flows to guide mastering.
    • Advanced includes Stem EQ for separate processing of vocals, bass, drums and instruments.
    • Reference comparison, Codec Preview and dithering support finishing work.

    Where it doesn't

    • The $55 Elements edition has core tools; editable modules start with Standard at $219.
    • Advanced costs $499, making its 20-module suite a substantial one-time purchase.
    • Ozone focuses on mastering rather than broad music production tasks.

  • Guitar Rig — where it wins

    • Combines amplifier and cabinet modeling with guitar and bass effects
    • Works as a standalone app or DAW plug-in on Windows and macOS
    • Preset management and modular signal-chain routing support sound shaping

    Where it doesn't

    • Player has a smaller component selection than the Pro edition
    • Focused on guitar and bass tone creation rather than general audio production
    • Requires a Windows or macOS desktop

More comparisons

All audio plugins comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update