UAD Plug-Ins vs iZotope Ozone

UAD Plug-Ins9.4Visit iZotope Ozone9.1Visit

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

iZotope Ozone #3 in Audio Plugins 9.1/10 10-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit iZotope

• UAD Plug-Ins fits best

  Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite

• iZotope Ozone fits best

  Producers focused on AI-assisted mastering

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Side by side

Feature	UAD Plug-Ins 9.4/10 Visit ↗	iZotope Ozone 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Audio Plugins	#3 in Audio Plugins
Best for	Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite	Producers focused on AI-assisted mastering
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$149.99/yr	$55 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	7 days	10 days
Free trial length	7 days	10 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Windows	macOS, Windows
Integrations	7 integrations	12 integrations
Features UAD Plug-Ins 1/3 · iZotope Ozone 1/3
External sidechain	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Oversampling	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Surround support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Plugin formats	VST3, AU, AAX	AAX, AU, VST3
Effect types	preamps, EQ, channel strips, compressors, limiters, reverb, delay, modulation, tape, saturation, vocal processing, guitar amps	equalization, dynamics, compression, limiting, saturation, stereo imaging, loudness processing, dithering
License model	Both	Both
Product scope	Suite	Suite
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.	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.
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.	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.
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 →	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 →

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.

• 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.

• 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 →
• iZotope Ozone9.1/10 · 10-day trial

  AI-assisted mastering with reference tools and tiered, one-time editions.

  Visit iZotopeFull verdict →