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Head-to-head · Audio Plugins

UAD Plug-Ins vs Guitar Rig

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
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
Guitar Rig #5 in Audio Plugins 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Guitar Rig

UAD Plug-Ins leads on 0 checks, Guitar Rig on 0, and 2 are 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 scoreUAD Plug-Ins · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly UAD Plug-Ins
  • Most featuresUAD Plug-Ins · 1 of 3

UAD Plug-Ins scores higher on our rubric for audio plugins: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

On product scope, UAD Plug-Ins gives you Suite where Guitar Rig offers Bundle.

UAD Plug-Ins is the better fit for producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite. Guitar Rig is the better fit for guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling.

  • UAD Plug-Ins fits best

    Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite

  • 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 UAD Plug-Ins 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Guitar Rig 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in Audio Plugins #5 in Audio Plugins
Best for Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite Guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $149.99/yr —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS, Windows Windows, macOS
Features UAD Plug-Ins 1/3 · Guitar Rig 0/3
External sidechain ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Oversampling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Surround support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Plugin formats VST3, AU, AAX VST3, Audio Units (AU), AAX
Effect types preamps, EQ, channel strips, compressors, limiters, reverb, delay, modulation, tape, saturation, vocal processing, guitar amps amplifier and cabinet simulation, distortion, delay, reverb, modulation, filtering, dynamics and EQ
License model Both Both
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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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

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 →

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. UAD Plug-InsAudio Plugins 9.4Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. Guitar RigAudio Plugins 8.7Free plan

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.

  • 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