UAD Plug-Ins vs iZotope RX

UAD Plug-Ins9.4Visit iZotope RX8.6Visit

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 RX #6 in Audio Plugins 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit iZotope RX

• UAD Plug-Ins fits best

  Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite

• iZotope RX fits best

  Editors and producers needing audio repair tools

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Side by side

Feature	UAD Plug-Ins 9.4/10 Visit ↗	iZotope RX 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Audio Plugins	#6 in Audio Plugins
Best for	Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite	Editors and producers needing audio repair tools
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$149.99/yr	$99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Windows	Windows, macOS
Integrations	7 integrations	12 integrations
Features UAD Plug-Ins 1/3 · iZotope RX 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	AU, AAX, AAX Audiosuite, VST3, AU ARA, VST3 ARA
Effect types	preamps, EQ, channel strips, compressors, limiters, reverb, delay, modulation, tape, saturation, vocal processing, guitar amps	Noise reduction, de-clicking, de-clipping, de-hum, de-reverb, de-ess, de-plosive, de-rustle, dialogue isolation, spectral repair, EQ, loudness control, music rebalance, breath control, ambience matching
License model	Both	Perpetual
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.	Specialized tools handle noise, clicks, clipping, dialogue and spectral repair Standalone spectral editor works alongside plugins for DAWs and video editors Three one-time purchase tiers scale from six plugins to 50+ tools
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.	Advanced tools require the $1,399 RX 12 Advanced edition The $99 Elements tier has six repair plugins rather than the full suite Windows and macOS are the listed platforms
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 RX is a suite of audio repair and restoration tools for music producers, dialogue editors, re-recording mixers, broadcasters and audio post-production teams. Its standalone spectral editor and plugins address noise, clicks,… 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 RX — where it wins

  • Specialized tools handle noise, clicks, clipping, dialogue and spectral repair
  • Standalone spectral editor works alongside plugins for DAWs and video editors
  • Three one-time purchase tiers scale from six plugins to 50+ tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced tools require the $1,399 RX 12 Advanced edition
  • The $99 Elements tier has six repair plugins rather than the full suite
  • Windows and macOS are the listed platforms

• 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 RX8.6/10 · Paid

  A broad audio-restoration suite with tiers for basic cleanup through advanced dialogue repair.

  Visit iZotope RXFull verdict →