Best Plugins for Mastering: Reviewed by Mastering Engineer

Basically, we need mastering to enhance the quality of the sound. Even more crucially, we master songs to improve the listening experience and create a closer relationship between the listener and the music.

Why should mastering engineers use plugins?

Many times, as a music producer or a mixing and mastering engineer, you get overly involved in your music, which results in an obscured ear when it comes time to master it. A qualified engineer will approach the music from a new angle and apply the necessary adjustments for best results.

Can an OK sound be attained with plugins? Yes, there are some that are built specifically to master your music, and specialized analog mastering tools can yield excellent results. Hands-on control and enhanced sonic sound enable engineers to take your music to the next level, something that was never thought feasible before.

However, this doesn’t mean a random person can reach any of those amazing results through plugins. Training your ears and gaining experience through years of practice will make you an engineer who can benefit from all of those wonderful tools that can help you polish songs you’re working on.

In this article, we’ll list the 25 best mastering plugins that can be useful for talented mastering engineers. And yes, I’ve tried most of them! Hope you enjoy!

Best 25 Plugins for Mastering in 2025

Let’s see the plugins for mastering you can use to get support while finalizing your projects.

LANDR Mastering Plugin

Many engineers could find this plugin helpful.

Right in your DAW, LANDR Mastering Plugin is an artificial intelligence mastering engine. It’s largely directed at pro-level rapid masters. Landr Mastering Plugin Standard Edition is a brand-new, simplified form of their AI mastering plugin.

As you fine-tune your mix, real-time processing in the plugin lets you hear your mastered sound.  Also, it will let you avoid time-consuming bounces out of the DAW and edit track versions on demand.

Price: 11,99 a month; $143.88 paid upfronts

Free trial: 7 days 

iZotope Ozone 11 Advanced

I would most certainly suggest iZotope Ozone 11. Though you can still use it manually, it features artificial intelligence. For me, so, this plugin is among the best.

Ozone 11 offers modern processing and AI-powered techniques, whether you're working on your first song or final touches. You can make your tracks release-ready.

The ozone module makes it possible to isolate a stem to precisely regulate the internal balance of a mixed file. One easy slider replaces complicated parallel routing, gain-staging, and level-matching to increase density and detail.

Price: €439.00

Free trial: 10 days

FabFilter Pro-MB

I find this brand good at many of the products they produce.

Multiband dynamics processing is made powerful and simple by FabFilter Pro-MB.

Pro-MB lets you immediately build a new band on the frequency range you choose to work on. 

The interactive multiband display amply demonstrates how unaltered the rest of the spectrum stays.

Price: €169

Free trial: 30 days

FabFilter Pro-Q 4

Usually favored for mixing as well as mastering, it is one of the typical EQs. 

FabFilter Pro-Q 4 offers natural phase modes, smooth dynamic and spectral EQ, per-band mid-side processing, full surround support (up to Dolby Atmos 9.1.6), an intelligent solo feature, optional auto gain, and a built-in, customizable spectrum analyzer.

From a single interface, Pro-Q 4 lets you simply navigate the list by filtering, pinning, and zooming, controlling any other plug-in instance in your session.

Free trial: 30 days

Price: €169.00

Sonible smart: EQ 3

It is an AI-based EQ plugin that may be used for mastering.

smart: EQ 3 improves single-track and up to six-channel arrangement clarity, transparency, and detail.

It also provides spectral balancing for both single-track and mix operations. The equalization driven by artificial intelligence will remove undesired notches and unpleasant resonances, therefore producing a well-balanced sound.

Free trial: 30 days

Price: €65.00 

Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

I used this compressor, but not during my mastering.

You can track and mix with EL8 Distressor. Nearly endless gain reduction variations let you sculpt vocals, drums, and guitars.

Using "Dist 2" and "Dist 3" modes enables you to creatively color instruments and vocals Custom detector filtering lets you also enhance, pump up, or annihilate room mics, bass, synth, and other sounds.

Price: $299

Free trial: 14 days

Sonnox Oxford Inflator (Native)

I use this plugin, that’s been a standard for some time for mixing and mastering engineers.

Inflator guarantees in your mix incomparable vitality and color. Without sacrificing dynamics or adding undesired distortion, the Inflator gives your mix an undeniable presence, warmth, and power.

Price: £35.00

Free trial: 14 days 

Universal Audio Capitol Mastering Compressor

Universal Audio Capital Mastering Compressor is one of the useful plugins for me.

Designed on Capitol Studios' CM5511 tube compressor, the Capitol Mastering Compressor provides a professional sound utilized in well-known music libraries. Controllers for Saturator, Mix, and Headroom help to improve production's perceived loudness and texture. 

It also includes Mono Fold and Mid/Side elements for low-end tightening and stereo breadth expansion. It’s accessible for more general use. The compressor offers access to the rich sound.

Price: $349

Free trial: 14 days 

NUGEN ISL 2ST

It's a limiter with a good price.

Made for audio production, ISL is a transparent look-ahead limiter that guarantees true peak compliance without requiring significant user involvement. It’s useful for post-production, audio mastering, and broadcast uses, taking advantage of standardized true peak methods. 

Its auto-release function adjusts to low-frequency material, therefore preserving audio transparency in demanding environments. Special steering and ducking meters in ISL let users reach ideal settings, so it maintains directional integrity and ambiance.

Price: $249

Free trial: 15 days

IK Multimedia T-RackS 6 

I’m using this, a kind of bundle; it’s good for the price.

Offering a complete range of tools for artists, producers, and engineers, T-RackS 6 is the newest edition of IK Multimedia's mixing and mastering program. It has 62 premium mixing and mastering plugins that may be arranged adaptively to satisfy different needs.

Through presets and scanning tools, the program offers a simplified ecosystem with both stand-alone and plug-in choices, therefore enabling effective workflow and productivity gains.

Price: €99.99

Plugin Alliance AB Metric

Through an A/B button capability, ADPTR AUDIO's Metric AB reference plugin is meant to be used for mix comparison with commercially published tracks. The most recent version improves user experience by including desired capabilities from the music production community.

The latest version, 1.4, brings a resizable user interface, GUI enhancements, improved filters, extra MIDI parameters, and compatibility with Apple's M1 and M2 CPUs. Additionally important improvements are a re-optimized graphics system and fresh loudness match modes.

All things considered, Metric AB is a complete instrument for mixing and mastering since it offers the necessary characteristics for exact audio comparisons and analysis.

Price: $140

Free trial: 14 days

Melda MCompare

Melda is also a trusted brand. 

Designed for mixing and mastering audio, MCompare is a specialist tool that lets users rapidly compare their audio with any reference track and several stages of their processing chain. This ability guarantees that users may fairly evaluate the quality of their audio by helping to avoid false impressions resulting from variations in loudness.

With simple crossfading between tracks using a single button click, the plugin simplifies audio engineers' productivity.

Price: €59 

Free trial: 15 days

Blue Cat DP Meter Pro

Built for flexible and customized audio metering with enhanced side-chaining control via MIDI and automation outputs, Blue Cat's DP Meter Pro (DPMP) is a powerful audio analysis tool. Along with the capacity to generate custom scales, it provides RMS, crest factor, and configurable peak meters supporting Bob Katz's K-System (K-12, K-14, K-20).

Large, colorful statistics displays and histograms for dynamic range measurement, as well as graphs to show audio envelope change over time, are part of the plug-in. It enables real-time audio signal control and monitoring as well as mono, stereo, and multichannel analysis, up to 16 channels.

Price: €79

Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

The Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain is a rich mastering tool and a pivotal element in music production since the 1970s. Created in partnership with Abbey Road Studios, this plugin includes modular sections for input, tone, compression/limiting, filter/EQ, and output/stereo spread. It enables users to infuse Abbey Road's distinctive sound into a range of audio elements, such as masters, buses, groups, and individual tracks.

Price: $34 (discounted now)

Softube Weiss DS1-MK3

The Weiss DS1-MK3 is a software plug-in that brings the essence of the original hardware mastering processor to life, crafted in partnership with Weiss Engineering and celebrated by Grammy Award winner Daniel Weiss. 

The DS1-MK3 showcases a meticulous line-by-line code port of the hardware, guaranteeing the same exceptional sound quality and performance. It brings impressive features, including an enhanced processing resolution reaching 192 kHz, two innovative limiting modes, and a waveform view that provides visual insight into compression levels. This plug-in caters to the needs of professional mastering engineers, offering a range of tools for meticulous sound shaping and control.

Price: $549

Free trial: 20 days

Slate Digital FG-X 2

FG-X 2 is a versatile audio processing plugin that offers four distinct limiting modes, allowing for both transparent limiting and lively saturation. By gently turning the gain knob, you can easily adjust their overall level to achieve the most enjoyable sound experience.

The All Access Pass with FG-X 2 enhances your mixing and mastering journey, bringing together a remarkable array of EQs, compressors, and emulations of classic analog gear. 

Price: $19.99 per month

Free trial: 14 days

Leapwing Audio DynOne

DynOne is an innovative parallel multi-band dynamics processor crafted for audio control. It showcases five bands of parallel compression, equipped with transparent filters that preserve the subtle details of the audio.

This plugin features smart attack and release settings that adjust to your chosen parameters, making it easier to tweak things quickly while still keeping your creative control intact.

Price: €139 (until April 27th 2025)

Free trial: 30 days

Tokyo Dawn Records TDR Limiter 6 GE

TDR Limiter 6 GE is a flexible toolkit for dynamics compression and limiting, featuring six specialized modules that can be arranged in multiple ways to fit various needs. 

TDR Limiter 6 GE toolkit is crafted to tackle a variety of tasks, from gentle loudness adjustments to bold limiting and imaginative mix bus processing. Every module offers tailored controls to handle various signal events, boosting the overall loudness of a mix while preserving its musical integrity and emotional impact.

Price: €50 

Free trial: Only a demo session

Eventide Elevate Mastering Bundle

Elevate is a refined mastering plug-in created to enrich audio mixes with its multi-band limiter, ear-friendly EQ, and audio maximizer. It uses smart, flexible technology that adapts in the moment to enhance loudness while maintaining a rich dynamic quality.

Price: $199

Free trial: 14-day demos

Cradle - The God Particle 

It’s a very good plugin and the design of a famous mix engineer.

Jaycen Joshua is an award-winning mix engineer, boasting fifteen Grammy® awards and a reputation for collaborating with renowned artists from diverse genres, such as Beyoncé, BTS, Rosalía, and Jay-Z. His deep knowledge of music production shines through in his meticulous attention to detail and his genuine love for sound engineering.

Working alongside Cradle, Jaycen created The God Particle, a plug-in aimed at elevating his mixing experience. Creating this tool was a journey that spanned three years, dedicated to perfecting harmonic algorithms and enhancing the user interface experience. The aim was to capture and enhance Jaycen's analog workflow, leading to a well-rounded solution for music mixing.

Price: $119 

Free trial: 14 days

Oeksound Soothe2 

It's a popular plugin that’s used for resonance cleaning and mainly used in mixing but also in mastering.

Soothe2 is an innovative resonance suppressor crafted to gently eliminate harshness from sound sources, control sibilance in vocals and dialogue, and enhance the tonal balance in recordings. It eliminates muddiness, boominess, and proximity effects, leading to a more refined and harmonious sound without requiring any manual frequency tweaks.

The software intuitively detects and minimizes troublesome resonances, making adjustments only when needed to keep the original sound's character intact and ensure clarity with minimal artifacts.

Price: $199

Free trial: 20 days

Soundtheory Gullfoss 

It’s automatic, adaptive EQ, and a bit like Soothe2.

Gullfoss is an audio processing tool that feels natural to use, catering to everyone from budding musicians to seasoned mastering engineers. The intuitive interface makes it easy to make swift changes that improve the clarity, detail, spatiality, and balance of your audio mixes or recordings.

It acts as a smart equalizer, analyzing audio signals in real time. It uses Soundtheory’s computational auditory perception model to pinpoint competing sounds. Gullfoss has the ability to tackle balancing challenges among different sound elements without requiring individual track access, resulting in a more uniform sound quality in diverse listening settings.

Price: $199

Free: 14 days

Process.audio Decibel 

It can be an alternative to meter plugins.

It’s considered a sophisticated audio metering system crafted for mixing, mastering, and post-production. It works seamlessly with both iOS (version 13 or higher) and Android (version 7 or higher).

Process.audio Decibel provides quick connectivity through Wi-Fi or USB, guaranteeing precise real-time analysis. This system works with popular digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic Pro X, Ableton, Studio One, and Luna. Decibel also supports all plugin formats (64-bit), including AU, VST3, and AAX.

Price: $70

Free trial: 30 days

Safari Pedals - Sun Bear - Mastering Grade bus compressor

The Sun Bear Mastering Compressor is a plugin for mastering and mixing, created to increase the depth and unity of your audio mixes. It provides clear compression and vibrant saturation, making it ideal for professional engineers.

Price: $59

Free trial: 14 days

Plugin Alliance BX_Mastering Studio

The BX Mastering Studio subscription plan includes the innovative Brainworx Style Creator mastering application, designed to run as a standalone program on Mac, with a PC version anticipated shortly.

The BX Style Creator App includes the bx_meter plugin, ensuring top-notch quality checks in any mastering DAW. It allows you to master several tracks or entire albums at the same time, with Brainworx having successfully tested up to 1,056 songs in one session. 

Price: $19.99

Free trial: 14 days

Wrapping Up

Mastering is more about strengthening the emotional link between your music and your audience, not only about running plugins.

Although many mastering plugins might offer strong tools to hone your sound, achieving professional results still requires trained hearing and expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions | Plugins for Mastering

What plug-ins should I use for mastering?

In 2025, the best plugins for mastering include iZotope Ozone 11, FabFilter Pro-Q 4, and Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain. These are among the top mastering plugins that you can use for EQ, compression, and limiting.

What is the best software for mastering songs?

iZotope Ozone 11 stands out as one of the best plugins for mastering, integrating a suite of modules, including EQ, dynamics, and imaging, with AI-assisted features.

Is there a free mastering plugin I can use?

Yes, you can use some of the mastering plugins for free or benefit from the free trials. 

What is the best EQ for mastering engineers?

FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is a preferred EQ plugin, renowned for its precision and intuitive interface. Sonible Smart: EQ 4 also offers advanced features for detailed tonal shaping.

What LUFS should I mix before mastering?

Although there are some standards and average levels like -14 LUFS or -18 LUFS, there are still some other criteria you need to be aware of. Check our article where we explore how you should set your LUFS levels in your mastering.