Top 3 Plugin Subscriptions I Absolutely Didn’t Regret

Hello, everyone! I’m Yuki Kito, a guitar instructor. My days are filled with practicing guitar, composing music, and attending jam sessions—keeping me quite busy.

By the way, do you subscribe to any services? These days, subscription-based platforms like Spotify and Apple Music for music, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix for streaming, and even YouTube Memberships have become widely popular.

Amid this subscription boom, I’d like to introduce my top 3 plugin subscription services that I have absolutely no regrets about using for music production, composition, and sound design.

Top 3 Plugin Subscriptions
I Absolutely Didn’t Regret #1

The first on the list is Splice, a sample library service that feels like a vast music library covering various genres. From powerful EDM sounds to SE effects like reverse cymbals, risers, and wind chimes, Splice offers an almost infinite selection of sounds.

With a subscription, you receive 100 credits per month, and most sounds can be purchased with just 1 credit. This means you rarely run out of credits, and with the massive sound library available, many producers rely on Splice as their go-to resource.

Beyond samples, Splice also offers synth presets for popular plugins like Serum, Spire, and Sylenth1, making it an incredibly useful service for producers who own these synths.

Another fantastic feature is Splice’s Rent-to-Own plan. Instead of paying a lump sum of $300-500 for a plugin like iZotope products, you can opt for an installment plan. For example, if you pay for 36 months, you eventually own the plugin outright with no additional charges.

Until full ownership, you’re technically renting the plugin, allowing you to subscribe only when needed. If you like a plugin, you can continue paying for it, and after a few years, it’s yours with no extra costs. This Rent-to-Own model is becoming more common, with Plugin Boutique recently introducing a similar plan for VPS Avenger.

Top 3 Plugin Subscriptions
I Absolutely Didn’t Regret #2

Next is UAD Spark, a subscription plan from Universal Audio, the company behind the Apollo interface series and classic hardware units like the 1176 and LA-2A compressors.

When UAD Spark was released, it was a game-changer for many producers—especially those who didn’t own an Apollo interface. Previously, Universal Audio plugins required a UAD audio interface since they relied on built-in DSP processing.

For example, the Apollo Twin MkII DUO has a built-in DSP chip that processes Universal Audio plugins internally. Because of this, until now, these plugins were only available to those who owned an Apollo or another UAD hardware device.

However, with the release of UAD Spark, even producers like me—who don’t own any Universal Audio hardware—can now use UAD plugins. This is truly groundbreaking.

Thanks to this, plugins like the 1176, LA-2A, EQP-1A, and Lexicon reverb are now available on a subscription basis. The service costs around $29 per month, which isn’t exactly cheap... but honestly, I’ve become so dependent on Spark that I can’t imagine producing music without it! It’s just too convenient and easy to use—seriously, a game-changer.

Top 3 Plugin Subscriptions
I Absolutely Didn’t Regret #3

The last subscription on my list is the Plugin Alliance Mega L plan. For just $14.99 per month, you get access to over 100 plugins. There are also higher-tier plans like Mega XL, which offer even more plugins at a higher monthly fee.

I subscribed to this plan earlier this year, and it has been a game-changer. It includes everything from amp simulators to compressors, EQs, saturators, and mastering effects—essentially covering most production needs. In many cases, it can even replace the plugins you originally intended to use.

One of the standout features is the Brainworx channel strips for SSL and Focusrite. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, this subscription is highly recommended!

You can purchase the standalone version here!

⇒ List of Plugin Alliance Products

That wraps up my Top 3 Plugin Subscriptions I Absolutely Didn’t Regret! Lately, my credit card bill has been creeping up, and I realized it’s because of all these subscriptions... But honestly, each one has significantly enriched my music production, making them worth every penny. If you’re interested, give them a try! See you next time!

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