UAD Plug-Ins vs Valhalla DSP Plugin Collection

UAD Plug-Ins9.4Visit VDValhalla DSP Plugin Collection7.9Visit

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

VD Valhalla DSP Plugin Collection #7 in Audio Plugins 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Valhalla DSP

• UAD Plug-Ins fits best

  Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite

• Valhalla DSP Plugin Collection fits best

  Producers focused on affordable reverb and delay

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 ↗	VDValhalla DSP Plugin Collection 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	7.9
Ranking	#1 in Audio Plugins	#7 in Audio Plugins
Best for	Producers wanting a broad, flexible plugin suite	Producers focused on affordable reverb and delay
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 · Valhalla DSP Plugin Collection 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	VST, VST3, Audio Units (AU), AAX
Effect types	preamps, EQ, channel strips, compressors, limiters, reverb, delay, modulation, tape, saturation, vocal processing, guitar amps	reverb, delay, echo, modulation, chorus, flanger, pitch shifting, frequency shifting
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.	Free plugins include Space Modulator, Freq Echo and Supermassive Paid plugins include VST, VST3, AU and AAX versions Covers reverb, delay, echo, modulation and pitch-shifting reverb
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.	Paid plugins are sold individually, not as an all-in-one bundle The collection focuses on effects rather than a full production suite Supported formats and Apple Silicon builds vary by product
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 →	Valhalla DSP Plugin Collection is a range of audio effects for musicians, producers, engineers and other audio artists working on Windows or macOS. Its focus is reverb, delay, echo, modulation and related processing rather than a broad… 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.

• Valhalla DSP Plugin Collection — where it wins

  • Free plugins include Space Modulator, Freq Echo and Supermassive
  • Paid plugins include VST, VST3, AU and AAX versions
  • Covers reverb, delay, echo, modulation and pitch-shifting reverb

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid plugins are sold individually, not as an all-in-one bundle
  • The collection focuses on effects rather than a full production suite
  • Supported formats and Apple Silicon builds vary by product

• 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 →
• VDValhalla DSP Plugin Collection7.9/10 · Free plan

  A focused collection of free and paid effects, with paid plugins sold individually.

  Visit Valhalla DSPFull verdict →