Helm
Helm: A capable free synth for electronic music, available standalone or across major plugin formats. Ranked #17 of 38 in Software Synthesizers by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free general-purpose synthesis.
At a glance
- Editor score7.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree general-purpose synthesis
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source with standalone operation
- Dual oscillators, cross modulation, and unison voices
- Broad plugin support across LV2, VST, VST3, AU, and AAX
Where it doesn't
- No fixed paid plans or product pricing structure
- The official GitHub repository was archived on February 8, 2025
- Its feature set may not suit users seeking broader synthesis tools
Our verdict on Helm
Helm is a free, open-source polyphonic software synthesizer for creating electronic music on GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. It works as either a standalone application or a plugin, making it suitable for producers who want one instrument that can run independently or inside compatible music software. Its core sound engine combines dual oscillators, cross modulation, unison voices, a sub oscillator with waveshaping, filters, modulation sources, sequencing, arpeggiation, and built-in effects.
The pricing model is straightforward: Helm is pay what you want, including paying nothing. There are no fixed paid product tiers to compare. The published feature set includes a step sequencer, arpeggiator, formant filter, stutter, delay, distortion, reverb, patch browsing, and patch export. Modulation includes live visual feedback and polyphonic aftertouch as a modulation source, giving the instrument useful depth for sound design without placing it in a paid tier structure.
Helm also fits a broad plugin ecosystem. It supports LV2, VST, VST3, AU, and AAX, alongside its standalone application, so its deployment options cover GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. The official GitHub repository was archived on February 8, 2025, while the official website and downloads page remain live. Helm is a sensible pick for musicians seeking free general-purpose synthesis with open-source licensing and wide plugin compatibility. Users who need a broader feature set or a more actively developed repository should consider another synthesizer instead.
Your product? Our editors can test Helm in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Helm pricing
Helm fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Synthesis engine | Not verified |
| Plugin formats | LV2, VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Standalone app | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Not verified |
| Included presets | Not verified |
| MPE support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | tytel.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Helm
- Arturia V Collection 11A broad, preset-focused instrument collection with clear Intro and Pro options.9.3
- Kontakt 8A broad sample-library platform with serious synthesis and DAW integration.9.1
- DivaA deep analogue-style plug-in with broad modulation, effects and host-format support.8.8
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Helm for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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