Top 5 Free Guitar VST Plugins to Try Before Investing in Paid Ones

Finding a good guitar VST for free is harder than it looks. You download one, get excited, load it up in your DAW… and boom it sounds like a toy, eats up CPU, or just doesn’t fit in the mix. Frustrating, right?

I’ve been through that cycle way too many times, and I know most producers have too. That’s why I decided to put together this list of free guitar VST plugins that are actually worth your time. No gimmicks, no shady downloads just solid instruments that can help you get realistic (or creative) guitar sounds in your tracks without spending a dime.

So, whether you make lo-fi beats, indie pop, EDM, or film scores, here are my Top 5 Free Guitar VSTs in 2025 that you should definitely check out befor investing in paid ones.

1. Ample Guitar M Lite

When it comes to free guitar VSTs, Ample Guitar M Lite II is probably the king. It’s a stripped-down version of Ample Sound’s paid acoustic guitar, but even the free version packs a punch.

Type: Acoustic Guitar (Steel String)

Best for: Acoustic pop, indie, chill, singer-songwriter vibes.

Features:

High-quality samples recorded from a Martin D-41 acoustic guitar.
Strumming engine with different patterns.
Fingerstyle and picking articulations.
Built-in FX like EQ, compressor, and reverb.

The sound is super realistic, and the strum engine makes it easy to add natural-sounding rhythm parts without much effort. For a freebie, this one is a must-have.

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Try Ample Guitar M Lite II

2. Monster Guitar

Next up is Monster Guitar by Agus Hardiman, a free plugin from Monster DAW that’s simple but surprisingly versatile.

Type: Multi-genre Guitar (Electric & Acoustic presets)

Best for: Beginners who want quick guitar tones without complicated controls.

Features:

14 different guitar presets (clean, distorted, acoustic, etc.).
Simple interface with volume, ADSR, and filter controls.
Works well in hip hop, lo-fi, EDM, and rock tracks.

It’s not trying to be ultra-realistic but it’s lightweight, fast, and gives you usable guitar tones without eating up CPU. Great for sketching ideas or layering in beats.

Try Monster Guitar

3. Vinyl Guitar 2

This one is unique. Vinyl Guitar 2 by Echo Sound Works is designed to sound like an old-school, lo-fi recorded guitar. Perfect for chill beats, lofi hip hop, or retro vibes.

Type: Lo-Fi Acoustic Guitar

Best for: Lo-fi beats, retro indie, chillhop.

Features:

Built-in vinyl crackle and noise for a nostalgic sound.
Strum and chord modes.
Adjustable reverb and tone controls.

If you’re making lo-fi, this plugin is a goldmine. It instantly gives your track that warm, dusty vinyl feel that lofi producers love.

Try Vinyl Guitar 2

4. Classic GTR 2 Lite

Classic GTR 2 Lite from Quiet Music is a solid choice for anyone looking for clean, classic guitar tones. It may not be as fancy as Ample Sound, but it gets the job done.

Type: Nylon & Steel String Guitar

Best for: Ballads, film scoring, soft acoustic parts.

Features:

7 presets with nylon and steel guitar sounds.
ADSR envelope control.
Lightweight and easy to use.

Why I like it: It’s very CPU-friendly and works well for quick sketches. The nylon tones are warm and smooth, great for background parts.

Try Classic GTR 2 Lite

5. Spitfire Audio LABS – Guitars

For the final pick, I had to go with Spitfire Audio LABS. LABS isn’t just one plugin it’s a whole free collection of high-quality instruments, and their Guitar libraries are fantastic.

Type: Multiple Guitar Libraries (Electric & Acoustic)

Best for: Ambient, cinematic, indie, experimental sounds.

Features:

Guitar Harmonics and Electric Guitars packs available free.
Super clean interface with just a few controls.
Beautifully recorded samples with Spitfire’s signature quality.

LABS guitars aren’t trying to be realistic strum machines instead, they give you emotional, atmospheric tones that work beautifully in modern productions. Honestly, LABS should be on everyone’s computer.

Note: LABS is a free plugin/player, so you’ll need to install it first to access and use the Guitar packs

Try Spitfire Audio LABS

So there you have it my picks for the Top 5 Free Guitar VST Plugins that you should try before investing in paid ones.

1. Ample Guitar M Lite II

2. Monster Guitar

3. Vinyl Guitar 2

4. Classic GTR 2 Lite

5. Spitfire Audio LABS Guitars

Each of these brings something unique to the table. If you want realistic strumming → go for Ample Guitar. If you want lo-fi vibes → Vinyl Guitar 2 is perfect. For quick sketching → Monster Guitar or Classic GTR Lite. And if you want cinematic or ambient guitars → LABS is unbeatable.

The best part? They’re all free. So instead of wasting time with sketchy downloads, you can grab these legit tools and start making music right away.

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