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Head-to-head · Audio Plugins

Waves Ultimate vs Guitar Rig

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Waves Ultimate #2 in Audio Plugins 9.2/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Waves Ultimate
Guitar Rig #5 in Audio Plugins 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Guitar Rig

Waves Ultimate leads on 0 checks, Guitar Rig on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWaves Ultimate · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Guitar Rig
  • Free trialonly Waves Ultimate
  • Most featuresWaves Ultimate · 2 of 3

Waves Ultimate scores higher on our rubric for audio plugins: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Guitar Rig offers free plan; Waves Ultimate doesn't. On license model, Guitar Rig gives you Both where Waves Ultimate offers Subscription. On product scope, Waves Ultimate gives you Suite where Guitar Rig offers Bundle.

Waves Ultimate is the better fit for producers and engineers who want a large plugin suite. Guitar Rig is the better fit for guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling.

  • Waves Ultimate fits best

    Producers and engineers who want a large 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 Waves Ultimate 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Guitar Rig 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.7
Ranking #2 in Audio Plugins #5 in Audio Plugins
Best for Producers and engineers who want a large plugin suite Guitarists seeking amp and effects modeling
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS
Features Waves Ultimate 2/3 · Guitar Rig 0/3
External sidechain ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Oversampling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Surround support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Plugin formats AAX Native, Audiosuite, Audio Units, VST3 VST3, Audio Units (AU), AAX
Effect types vocal production, analog modeling, mastering, compression, EQ, effects, instruments, saturation, channel strips, noise reduction, surround processing amplifier and cabinet simulation, distortion, delay, reverb, modulation, filtering, dynamics and EQ
License model Subscription Both
Product scope Suite Bundle
Our review
Pros
  • More than 240 plugins span vocal work, mixing, mastering and sound design.
  • Updates and newly added plugins are included with the subscription.
  • Works with major DAWs and activates on two machines at a time.
  • 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
  • There is no free plan; access is subscription-based.
  • The suite is limited to Windows and macOS.
  • The Monthly plan does not include the Annual plan’s 30 mastering credits.
  • 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

Waves Ultimate brings more than 240 Waves plugins together in a subscription for music producers, mixing and mastering engineers, vocal editors, post-production professionals and live-sound users. Its collection covers vocal production,…

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. Waves UltimateAudio Plugins 9.27-day trial
  2. Guitar RigAudio Plugins 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Waves Ultimate — where it wins

    • More than 240 plugins span vocal work, mixing, mastering and sound design.
    • Updates and newly added plugins are included with the subscription.
    • Works with major DAWs and activates on two machines at a time.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan; access is subscription-based.
    • The suite is limited to Windows and macOS.
    • The Monthly plan does not include the Annual plan’s 30 mastering credits.

  • 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