UAD Plug-Ins vs FabFilter Total Bundle

UAD Plug-Ins9.4Visit FabFilter Total Bundle8.8Visit

Higher score UAD Plug-Ins #1 in Audio Plugins 9.4/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit UAD Plug-Ins

vs

FabFilter Total Bundle #4 in Audio Plugins 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit FabFilter

• UAD Plug-Ins fits best

  Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite

• FabFilter Total Bundle fits best

  Mixers seeking a polished, all-round perpetual bundle

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Side by side

Feature	UAD Plug-Ins 9.4/10 Visit ↗	FabFilter Total Bundle 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Audio Plugins	#4 in Audio Plugins
Best for	Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite	Mixers seeking a polished, all-round perpetual bundle
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$149.99/yr	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	7 days	30 days
Free trial length	7 days	30 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Windows	Windows, macOS
Integrations	7 integrations	5 integrations
Features UAD Plug-Ins 1/3 · FabFilter Total Bundle 3/3
External sidechain	✓	✓
Oversampling	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Surround support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Plugin formats	VST3, AU, AAX	VST, VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAX Native, AudioSuite
Effect types	preamps, EQ, channel strips, compressors, limiters, reverb, delay, modulation, tape, saturation, vocal processing, guitar amps	EQ, reverb, compression, multiband dynamics, limiting, de-essing, gate/expander, distortion/saturation, delay, filtering, synthesizer
License model	Both	Perpetual
Product scope	Suite	Bundle
Our review
Pros	Native UADx plug-ins run on a computer without UA hardware. Works in VST3, AU, and AAX formats across major DAWs. Combines effects, virtual instruments, perpetual licenses, and subscriptions.	Covers EQ, dynamics, limiting, reverb, delay, saturation, filtering and synthesis Includes sidechain input, oversampling and surround support Supports VST, VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAX Native and AudioSuite
Cons	UAD DSP plug-ins require Apollo or UAD-2 hardware. Spark subscription access is not the same as a perpetual license. The broad catalog may be more than producers seeking a narrow toolset need.	There is no free plan; continued use requires a paid license Available only for macOS and Windows The bundle may be broader than needed for buyers seeking a single plug-in
Our verdict	UAD Plug-Ins is Universal Audio’s collection of audio effects and virtual instruments for music production, recording, mixing, and mastering. Its catalog spans modeled preamps, equalizers, channel strips, compressors, reverbs, delays,… Read the review →	FabFilter Total Bundle brings 14 plug-ins together for music production, mixing, mastering, recording and sound design. It suits mixers and producers who want tools spanning several stages of audio work rather than a single-purpose effect.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• UAD Plug-Ins — where it wins

  • Native UADx plug-ins run on a computer without UA hardware.
  • Works in VST3, AU, and AAX formats across major DAWs.
  • Combines effects, virtual instruments, perpetual licenses, and subscriptions.

  Where it doesn't

  • UAD DSP plug-ins require Apollo or UAD-2 hardware.
  • Spark subscription access is not the same as a perpetual license.
  • The broad catalog may be more than producers seeking a narrow toolset need.

• FabFilter Total Bundle — where it wins

  • Covers EQ, dynamics, limiting, reverb, delay, saturation, filtering and synthesis
  • Includes sidechain input, oversampling and surround support
  • Supports VST, VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAX Native and AudioSuite

  Where it doesn't

  • There is no free plan; continued use requires a paid license
  • Available only for macOS and Windows
  • The bundle may be broader than needed for buyers seeking a single plug-in

• UAD Plug-Ins9.4/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A flexible plugin suite with native and hardware-DSP options, plus free and paid access.

  Visit UAD Plug-InsFull verdict →
• FabFilter Total Bundle8.8/10 · 30-day trial

  A broad perpetual plug-in bundle for mixers who want tools across the signal chain.

  Visit FabFilterFull verdict →