Kontakt 8 vs EZdrummer 3

KKontakt 89.4Visit EZdrummer 38.5Visit

Higher score K Kontakt 8 #1 in Virtual Instruments 9.4/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Kontakt 8

vs

EZdrummer 3 #6 in Virtual Instruments 8.5/10 10-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Toontrack

• Kontakt 8 fits best

  Broad sampled libraries and sound design

• EZdrummer 3 fits best

  Fast, guided drum production

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Side by side

Feature	KKontakt 8 9.4/10 Visit ↗	EZdrummer 3 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.5
Ranking	#1 in Virtual Instruments	#6 in Virtual Instruments
Best for	Broad sampled libraries and sound design	Fast, guided drum production
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$299 one-time	$179 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	10 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Windows	Windows, macOS
Integrations	3 integrations	5 integrations
Features Kontakt 8 2/3 · EZdrummer 3 2/3
Standalone app	✓	✓
Built-in samples	✓	✓
MPE support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Plugin formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Instrument focus	Not checked yet	Drums
Included presets	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Factory Library includes over 900 sampled instruments. Works standalone or as a VST3, AU, or AAX plug-in. Combines sample playback, wavetable synthesis, and MIDI tools.	Includes seven recorded drum kits and more than 2,500 grooves and fills Bandmate suggestions and Tap2Find help locate grooves for a song Song Creator, editing, mixing, and e-drum controls are built in
Cons	Costs $299 one-time, with no free plan. AU support is listed for macOS, not Windows. Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of sample-only users.	Focused on drums rather than a broad virtual-instrument collection The $99 Upgrade requires ownership of a previous EZdrummer version Paid product, with the Regular version priced at $179 one-time
Our verdict	Kontakt 8 is Native Instruments’ sample-based virtual instrument platform for producers, composers, sound designers, and instrument developers. It runs as a standalone application on macOS and Windows or as a plug-in in major DAWs. The… Read the review →	EZdrummer 3 is Toontrack’s virtual drum software for songwriters, producers, and electronic drummers who want drum parts and arrangement tools in one place. It includes seven drum kits recorded in three rooms, percussion, mix-ready… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Kontakt 8 — where it wins

  • Factory Library includes over 900 sampled instruments.
  • Works standalone or as a VST3, AU, or AAX plug-in.
  • Combines sample playback, wavetable synthesis, and MIDI tools.

  Where it doesn't

  • Costs $299 one-time, with no free plan.
  • AU support is listed for macOS, not Windows.
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of sample-only users.

• EZdrummer 3 — where it wins

  • Includes seven recorded drum kits and more than 2,500 grooves and fills
  • Bandmate suggestions and Tap2Find help locate grooves for a song
  • Song Creator, editing, mixing, and e-drum controls are built in

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on drums rather than a broad virtual-instrument collection
  • The $99 Upgrade requires ownership of a previous EZdrummer version
  • Paid product, with the Regular version priced at $179 one-time

• KKontakt 89.4/10 · Paid

  Kontakt 8 pairs a large sampled-instrument library with synthesis and DAW plug-in support.

  Visit Kontakt 8Full verdict →
• EZdrummer 38.5/10 · 10-day trial

  A focused drum-production tool with extensive grooves and guided song-building tools.

  Visit ToontrackFull verdict →