Alternatives to VCV Rack

A virtual Eurorack modular synthesizer for Windows, macOS and Linux with a large module library. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as VCV Rack.

  • Cardinal

    Free, self-contained virtual modular synthesizer based on VCV Rack, as a plugin and standalone app.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWeb

    Cardinal is a free open-source rebuild based on VCV Rack with 1382 built-in modules and plugin formats, but it cannot load external Rack modules.

  • SunVox

    A small modular synthesizer with a pattern-based tracker sequencer for desktop and mobile.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    SunVox combines a small modular synthesizer with a tracker sequencer and adds Android and iOS versions, but it is closed source.

  • Pure Data

    Open-source visual programming environment for building interactive audio and multimedia works.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Pure Data is a free open-source visual patching environment for real-time audio, built from general processing objects rather than Eurorack-style modules.

Also worth comparing

These listings name VCV Rack as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Surge XT

    An open-source hybrid synthesizer available as a plugin and a standalone app.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    VCV Rack is a freemium virtual Eurorack modular synthesizer with a large module library, trading Surge XT's hybrid synth for patch-based modular building.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.