Audio Plugin Formats Compared (VST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, LV2)
The audio plugin formats a developer might target — who made each, when, how it's licensed, and which hosts use it. If you're building plugins in code (e.g. with JUCE or Faust), this is the target matrix.
| Format | Created by | Since | License | Platforms | Used by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSTVirtual Studio Technology | Steinberg | 1996 | Proprietary (free SDK) | macOS, Windows | Most DAWs (legacy VST2 now deprecated) |
| VST3Virtual Studio Technology 3 | Steinberg | 2008 | Proprietary (GPLv3 or paid SDK) | macOS, Windows, Linux | The current cross-DAW standard |
| AUAudio Units | Apple | 2002 | Proprietary (part of macOS/iOS) | macOS, iOS | Logic Pro, GarageBand, most macOS DAWs |
| AAXAvid Audio eXtension | Avid | 2011 | Proprietary (NDA SDK) | macOS, Windows | Pro Tools only |
| CLAPCLever Audio Plug-in | u-he & Bitwig | 2022 | Open source (MIT) | macOS, Windows, Linux | Bitwig, Reaper, and a growing list |
| LV2LADSPA Version 2 | Open community | 2011 | Open source (ISC/permissive) | Linux (some macOS/Windows) | Ardour, Qtractor, Linux hosts |
| RTASReal-Time AudioSuite | Digidesign/Avid | 1990s | Proprietary (legacy) | macOS, Windows | Old Pro Tools (superseded by AAX) |