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Virtual drums compared: modeled, sampled and drum machines

Drum plugins come in three kinds: kits you play, drum machines, and samplers. Here are 26 of the ones the "best drum plugin" lists name most, side by side with DrumFlex, plus a few more, with what you can check for each on the maker's own pages.

Kits, machines and samplers

  • Sampled drum kits play recordings of real drums, each drum recorded at many strengths. The recordings take room: from a few gigabytes to hundreds. Some play inside a separate program.
  • Modeled drums compute each hit as it is played, from a model of the drumhead, the stick, the snare wires and the cymbals. There are no recordings to download, so they are small. DrumFlex is one.
  • Drum machines and samplers build beats from synthesized or emulated electronic sounds, or from samples, including your own. They are a different kind of tool from a kit you play, and several of the most-named products are of this kind.

Which one sounds best to you is for your ears, and every maker has demos on its own site. This page compares what can be checked: the price, the size, what else you need, where it runs, and the demo.

The drum instruments

Checked on 7 November 2026, on each maker's own pages. Prices are list prices in US dollars; sales come and go. "Not stated" means we didn't find it on the maker's pages. VST3 and VST plugins work in most music programs on Windows; check the maker's page for yours.

Drum instrumentMakerKindPriceDownload or diskNeeds another programStandalone and pluginsRuns onDemo
DrumFlexFlex Music LabsModeled$7914.2 MB downloadNothing elseStandalone, VST3Windows 10 and 11, 64-bitDownload and try before you buy
Addictive Drums 2XLN AudioSampled$179 to $549 by collectionNot statedNothing else (internet needed during installation)Standalone, VST3, VST, AU, AAXWindows, Mac10-day trial
EZdrummer 3ToontrackSampled$179 ($99 upgrade)18 GB (plus 18 GB to download)Nothing elseStandalone, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, Mac10-day trial
Steven Slate Drums 5.5Steven SlateSampled$119 ($49 sale shown)About 15 GBA host programPlugin (host DAW needed)MacFree demo, never expires
GetGood DrumsGetGood DrumsSampled, with modeled behavior$219 ($179 sale)20 GBNothing elseVST3, AAX; AU on MacWindows, MacNone published
Superior Drummer 3ToontrackSampled$399 ($319 crossgrade)41 GB to 236 GBNothing elseStandalone, VST, AU, AAXWindows, MacNone listed
BFD3BFD DrumsSampled, with modeled tom resonance$19955 GBNothing elseVST3, VST2, AAX; AU on MacWindows, MacNone published
MODO DRUMIK MultimediaModeled and sampled$199.992 GBNothing elseStandalone, VST3, VST2, AU, AAXWindows, MacFree 1-kit edition
Battery 4Native InstrumentsSampled$199Not statedNothing elseStandalone, VST, VST3, AAX; AU on MacWindows, MacDemo download
XOXLN AudioSample-based$149 to $499Not statedNothing elseStandalone, VST3, VST, AU, AAXWindows, Mac10-day trial
Atlas 2AlgonautSample-based$99Not statedNothing else (an account login is needed)Standalone, VST3, VST, AU, AAXWindows, Mac, Linux14-day trial
DrumComputerSugar BytesSynthesized$129Not statedNothing elseStandalone, VST3, VST2, AU, AAXWindows, MacDemo download
Drumazon 2D16 GroupEmulation€119Not statedA host programVST3, VST2, AAX; AU on MacWindows, MacDemo download
ADMAudioRealismEmulationNot statedNot statedNothing elseStandalone, VST3 (Windows), VST2, AU (Mac)Windows, MacNot stated
MicrotonicSonic ChargeSynthesized$99Not statedA host program on WindowsVST3, VST2; AU and Standalone on MacWindows, MacThree weeks
UJAM Virtual DrummerUJAMRecorded$119 each0.5 GB minimum (SOLID 2)A host programVST3, VST2, AU, AAXWindows, Mac"Try for Free"
DrumGizmoDrumGizmo projectSampledFree (open source)Not statedNot statedVSTi, LV2, StandaloneWindows, Mac, LinuxFree
MT Power DrumKitpowerdrumkit.comSampledFreeNot statedA host programVST, AU, AAXWindows, Mac, LinuxFree
Nepheton 2D16 GroupEmulation€119Not statedA host programVST3, VST2, AU (Mac), AAXWindows, MacDemo download
NerveXfer RecordsSample-based$1992 GB libraryA host programVSTi, AUWindows, MacFree demo
Punch 2Rob PapenSynthesized and sampled$149Not statedA host programVST3, VST, AAX; AU on MacWindows, Mac30 days
Jamstix 4RayzoonGenerated groovesNot stated1.3 GB sound libraryA host programVST, AAXWindows, MacNot stated
HeartbeatSoftubeModeled analog synthesis€139Not statedA host programAU, VST, VST3, AAXWindows, Mac20 days
MDrummerMeldaProductionSound engine$278Not statedNot statedNot statedNot stated"Try for free"
Supreme Drums BlueSound MagicHybrid modeling$129 ($69 sale)About 700 MBNot statedNot statedWindows, MacNot stated
DrumaxxImage-LineModeledNot statedNot statedNot statedIncludes a VST versionNot statedNot stated
VQ DrumsWavesfactorySampled$592.89 GBKontakt 5.7.3 or newer (full version)Via KontaktNot statedRuns in Kontakt Player's demo mode

Side by side with DrumFlex

The most-named drum instruments each have a page of their own: what they share with DrumFlex, where each one stands out, and which to pick for what you do.

About these facts

Every fact comes from the maker's own pages, never from reviews or shops, and the list of sources is below. Prices and versions change, so check the maker's site before you buy. If something here is out of date, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it.

More: all about DrumFlex and all the Learn guides.

Sources