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Head-to-head · Virtual Instruments

Omnisphere vs BBC Symphony Orchestra

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Omnisphere #3 in Virtual Instruments 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Spectrasonics
BBC Symphony Orchestra #4 in Virtual Instruments 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Spitfire Audio

Omnisphere leads on 2 checks, BBC Symphony Orchestra on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOmnisphere · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly BBC Symphony Orchestra
  • Most featuresOmnisphere · 3 of 3

Omnisphere scores higher on our rubric for virtual instruments: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

BBC Symphony Orchestra offers free plan; Omnisphere doesn't. Omnisphere offers standalone app; BBC Symphony Orchestra doesn't. On instrument focus, Omnisphere gives you Synth where BBC Symphony Orchestra offers Orchestral. Omnisphere leads on included presets: 35663 versus 44.

Omnisphere is the better fit for producers seeking synthesis and sound-design range. BBC Symphony Orchestra is the better fit for starting orchestral composers.

  • Omnisphere fits best

    Producers seeking synthesis and sound-design range

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra fits best

    Starting orchestral composers

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Side by side

Feature Omnisphere 8.9/10 Visit ↗ BBC Symphony Orchestra 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.7
Ranking #3 in Virtual Instruments #4 in Virtual Instruments
Best for Producers seeking synthesis and sound-design range Starting orchestral composers
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $499 one-time $449 one-time
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS, Windows Windows, macOS
Integrations 5 integrations 2 integrations
Features Omnisphere 3/3 · BBC Symphony Orchestra 1/3
Standalone app ✓ (best) —
Built-in samples ✓ ✓
MPE support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Plugin formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Instrument focus Synth Orchestral
Included presets 35663 (best) 44
Our review
Pros
  • Combines quadzone, granular, wavetable, and sample-based synthesis
  • Runs standalone or as VST3, AU, and AAX plug-ins
  • MPE, hardware integration, and layered Live and Stack performance modes
  • Free Discover edition includes 34 instruments.
  • Orchestral sections span strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion.
  • Supports VST3, Audio Units and AAX plugin formats.
Cons
  • Costs $499 as a one-time purchase
  • No free plan is offered
  • Its breadth may be unnecessary for buyers seeking a narrow instrument
  • Core costs $449 as a one-time purchase.
  • Core lists one mix signal.
  • Requires a compatible DAW; no standalone app is listed.
Our verdict

Omnisphere is Spectrasonics’ flagship software synthesizer for musicians, producers, performers, and composers who want synthesis, sampling, sound design, and performance tools in one instrument. It combines quadzone, granular, wavetable,…

Read the review →

BBC Symphony Orchestra is a virtual orchestral instrument from Spitfire Audio, made for composers, producers and other music creators working in compatible DAWs. Its sampled sections cover strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion, and it…

Read the review →
  1. OmnisphereVirtual Instruments 8.9Paid
  2. BBC Symphony OrchestraVirtual Instruments 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Omnisphere — where it wins

    • Combines quadzone, granular, wavetable, and sample-based synthesis
    • Runs standalone or as VST3, AU, and AAX plug-ins
    • MPE, hardware integration, and layered Live and Stack performance modes

    Where it doesn't

    • Costs $499 as a one-time purchase
    • No free plan is offered
    • Its breadth may be unnecessary for buyers seeking a narrow instrument

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra — where it wins

    • Free Discover edition includes 34 instruments.
    • Orchestral sections span strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion.
    • Supports VST3, Audio Units and AAX plugin formats.

    Where it doesn't

    • Core costs $449 as a one-time purchase.
    • Core lists one mix signal.
    • Requires a compatible DAW; no standalone app is listed.

More comparisons

All virtual instruments comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update