The 9 Best Free Guitar VST Plugins of 2024 (Super Realistic)

Guitars are more than just an instrument; they’re an icon of musical expression across multiple genres, from rock and country to pop and hip-hop. 

As a music producer, incorporating guitar sounds into your tracks can add a layer of authenticity, richness, and emotional resonance that few other instruments can offer. 

However, getting that perfect guitar sound can often be a challenging and expensive task, especially if you don’t play the guitar yourself. 

But worry not 一 we’re breaking down the 9 best free guitar VST plugins that can help you create epic compositions.

Plus, get super realistic guitar sounds at zero cost.

For each free guitar VST plugin included on our list, we’ll be discussing:

• Realism and authenticity ✓
• Versatility & flexibility ✓ 
• User interface ✓
• Customization ✓
• Unique and creative effects ✓
• Much more about each free guitar VST plugin✓

By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to include epic guitar sounds that can help skyrocket your track’s appeal with free plugins that are out of this world.

And the best part is, you won’t have to spend one single dime and you’ll still get top-tier quality.

So, let’s dive in to the best free guitar VST plugins in the game…

The 10 Best Free Guitar VST Plugins

Prepare to be amazed as we dive into the intricate world of the 9 best free guitar VST plugins available. Our choices are based on authenticity, flexibility, abilities, effects, etc. for all different types of music production.

#1. Ample Guitar M Lite II

Ample Guitar M Lite II promises to bring the iconic Martin D-41 Acoustic Guitar sound right into your digital workspace.

You heard that right; this free plugin gives you access to the authentic acoustic guitar tones you often hear on professionally produced tracks. 

What sets this free VST apart is the attention to detail. 

Ample Guitar M Lite II features Rich Fingering Noise to make your guitar tracks more vivid and realistic. 

When you’re making a complex acoustic beat, every nuance counts, and Ample Guitar offers various articulations like sustain, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and palm muting.

These will help make sure you don’t lose those subtle textures. 

You also have five different articulations at your disposal with Ample Guitar, for increased versatility. 

Not just that, but it also has an innovative feature called “Each Cycle & Rhombic Sampling structure.”

This feature separates sample cycles for different notes and velocity layers to maximize sample utilization.

From a technological standpoint, Ample Guitar M Lite II is like having a guitar genius with an ‘ample sound’ inside your computer. 

It comes with Capo Logic, allowing for intelligent play according to guitar rules.

Moreover, you have CPC (Customized Parameters Control) with Ample Guitar 一 enabling any controller to be controlled by MIDI CC or Automation. 

Ample Guitar M Lite II even features Double Guitar.

This features uses different samples for left and right channels to give your track a more expansive sound. 

The Poly Legato and Slide Smoother of Ample Guitar add a layer of finesse to your performance. 

It also allows alternate tuning without needing to modify your MIDI files, which opens up a whole new range of possibilities for your productions.

Ample Guitar M Lite II has a built-in Tab Reader for those who enjoy tablature. 

This tool can not only load various tab file formats but also allows you to export them as audio files, which adds a whole new layer of functionality for looping, chords, and other articulations.

The Tab Reader of Ample Guitar also supports all the guitar techniques you’d expect, from hammer-ons and pull-offs to more advanced methods like tapping and palm muting.

Key Features of Ample Guitar M Lite II:

• Direct From Disk (DFD) technology for efficient memory utilization.
• Rich Fingering Noise & five articulations.
• Capo Logic & CPC for intelligent play.
• Built-in Tab Reader.
• One of the best free VST guitar around.

#2. MonsterDAW Monster Guitar

MonsterDAW Monster Guitar is a  free VST plugin that offers a comprehensive solution for producers wanting to create guitar-based mock-ups. 

Created by Agus Hardiman, Monster Guitar is built with a mission: to solidify abstract ideas for those who may not have immediate access to a real guitarist. 

With a footprint geared towards those producing rock, grunge, and even metal genres, Monster Guitar aims to deliver a tactile experience close to the real thing.

This guitar plugin comes with 14 presets that allow you to choose from lead, chord, and notes modes. 

The chord mode enables you to trigger full chords from your MIDI keyboard, and the leads and notes modes focus on individual guitar notes and melodies. 

You can even add layers of distortion and other audio effects to simulate a true distorted guitar solo. 

So whether you want to create driving rhythms or intricate solos, Monster Guitar has you covered.

Unlike other options, it’s especially useful for playing around with different guitar sounds before committing to a real recording session. 

When using the chord mode, you can pick between long, normal, and short patterns, allowing you to tailor the sound according to the genre you are working on. 

This is particularly useful for genres like rock and punk, which often leverage the power of percussive, driving chords.

But what makes Monster Guitar truly convenient is its global control panel, which includes master volume, ADSR controls, and built-in reverb/delay effects.

If you’re familiar with ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release), you’ll appreciate the control you get over the envelope of each note.

Overall, it’s an amazing choice with dynamic capabilities that will blow you away.

Key Features:

• 14 presets split into three modes: lead, chord, and notes.
• Allows for long, normal, and short chord patterns.
• Built-in global control panel featuring ADSR controls and effects like delay and reverb.
• Offers a comprehensive solution for those who can’t access a real guitarist.
• One of the best free guitar VSTs around.

#3. Solaris GTR Lite

Solaris GTR Lite offers an array of electric guitar tones perfect for genres as varied as Lo-Fi, Ambient, Hip Hop, and EDM. 

With its basis on famous electric guitars processed through premium effects guitar pedals and virtual instrument plugins, Solaris GTR Lite seeks to provide dynamic and beautiful tones.

This free plugin delivers on this promise with six multi-sampled presets 一 giving you a variety of tones to choose from.

One of the most striking features of this plugin is its meticulous sampling.

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All guitar samples are recorded at a whopping 192 kHz and 32 bits, and are edited individually for unparalleled quality. 

Whether you’re creating lush ambient landscapes or pulsating trap beats, the high-quality samples lay an excellent foundation.

Solaris GTR Lite is impressively user-friendly compared to many free guitar plugins.

The interface includes controls for ADSR envelope, filter cutoff, and LFO modulation.

On the flip side, the built-in effects like reverb, chorus, delay, and distortion let you add depth and texture to your tracks.

This can be a game-changer for genres like Trap, Hip-Hop, and Pop music.

These features are perfect for those who push their guitar sounds into experimental territory. 

Whether you’re looking to create a chill, spacey vibe with reverb and delay, or add a gritty edge to your tracks with distortion, these built-in effects can help.

If you love electric guitars, this free plugin is perfect for you.

Key Features:

• Based on a premium electric guitars.
• Samples (virtual guitars) recorded at 192 kHz – 32 bits
• Simple controls for ADSR envelope, LFO modulation & filter cutoff.
• Built-in effects that guitar players love (and sounds natural).
• A great free virtual guitar instrument

#4. Zak Sound Sapphire Guitar (Essential)

Zak Sound Sapphire Guitar (Essential) is a unique plugin because it takes a more experimental route than other like tools.

It blends the essence of various guitars (ranging from acoustic and electric to folk and classical) with rich, ambient textures. 

What results is a fascinating palette of sounds that can inject a sense of ambience and atmosphere into your tracks.

A noteworthy feature is the ability to select from 18 different stringed instruments.

Each are based on actual recordings of guitars played with various techniques, such as palm-muted, open strings, and harmonics.

This provides a level of dynamic range that can be a treasure trove for depth and authenticity in your guitar sounds.

It houses five knobs solely dedicated to ambient texturing. 

These aren’t mere afterthoughts 一 they are crucial to the plugin’s unique sound character. 

Whether you want to add subtle grit or transform your guitar sound into a lo-fi landscape, these texture knobs offer endless possibilities. 

Another important aspect is the built-in LFO controls.

They let you modulate various aspects of the sound, like pitch, volume, or even the filter cutoff.

This leads to even more complex and evolving textures.

To help you further shape your sound, Sapphire Guitar includes a range of additional features like low-pass filters, high-pass filters, delay settings, and built in effects like chorus, drive, and reverb.

These parameters are essential for tailoring your guitar sounds to fit seamlessly into any and every mix.

Whether it’s a laid-back ambient piece or a pulsating electronic track, Sapphire’s got you covered.

Key Features:

• 18 different stringed instruments based on real guitar recordings.
• Unique ambient texture controls.
• Built-in LFO with speed, waveform, and depth controls.
• Additional tonal controls like LPF, HPF, and ADSR.
• Built-in effects.
• Delay settings and master settings.
• One of the best free guitar VSTs around.

#5. Haunted Guitar Lite

If you’re looking to add an element of the ethereal or downright eerie to your compositions, Haunted Guitar Lite by Electronik Sound Lab is a free VST plugin you won’t want to miss. 

Based on a multi-sampled Fender Stratocaster Plus Deluxe Electric Guitar, this free VST plugin takes the familiar and catapults it into the realm of the extraordinary. 

Each on of its 8 presets come packed with 28 samples processed through a diverse range of high-quality effects. 

The interface is incredibly user-friendly, like NI’s Guitar Rig, and features a straightforward array of knobs and settings.

This includes very beneficial and worth-while factors such as ADSR amplitude envelope controls, LFO modulation, and filters (high-pass, low-pass, etc.).

What separates Haunted Guitar Lite from other free guitar VSTs are its built-in effect modules (built-in reverb, distortion, and delay effects).

The delay, for instance, provides the kind of detailed controls you would expect from a standalone delay plugin. 

You can easily tweak time, feedback, and wet/dry mix 一 offering a wealth of ambient possibilities.

Its versatility doesn’t end at its horror-infused timbres.

It can be a valuable tool for adding a different flavor to various genres and subgenres.

Haunted Guitar Lite is perfect for providing a haunting lead line in a rock song or adding texture to an electric guitar track.

It has a unique sonic identity that can make your music stand out while promoting your tracks.

Key Features:

• 8 presets, each containing 28 multi-sampled guitar sounds.
• Based on a multi-sampled Fender Stratocaster Plus Deluxe Real Electric Guitar.
• User-friendly interface with ADSR, LFO, and HP/LP filters.
• Built-in effects
• One of the best free guitar VSTs around.

#6. Spitfire Audio LABS Peel Guitar

As a brainchild of Spitfire Audio and sampled by Christian Henson, Spitfire Audio LABS Peel Guitar is a free yet premium-quality plugin that brings the authentic tones of British indie music to your DAW. 

Created using a Fender Telecaster through a 15w vintage tweed amp, Peel Guitar provides a sound instantly recognizable and filled with character. 

A hint of vibrato, tremolo, and distortion imbues it with just enough color to make it versatile while retaining its classic feel.

The simplicity of Peel Guitar is one of its biggest assets. 

With minimalistic controls, you can focus on the sound and how it fits into your composition.

But don’t let the simplicity deceive you…

The underlying guitar samples in Peel Guitar are incredibly rich and have been featured in various scores (and will sound realistic as can be).

What truly sets this amazing free guitar plugin apart is its sonic fidelity. 

Whether playing polyphonic lows to achieve crunchy textures or using it as an atmospheric pad, the guitar sounds you can conjure are awe-inspiring. 

It shines in orchestrations but is versatile enough to fit into just about any genre. 

Peel Guitar is a go-to when it comes to achieving a certain kind of clear-toned, indie charm.

Although it may not have a labyrinth of knobs and settings, the quality of the sound itself is more than enough reason to add it to your arsenal. 

Sometimes, less is more 一 Peel Guitar demonstrates this by delivering inspiring sounds with minimal hassle.

Key Features:

• Sampled using a Fender Telecaster and 15w vintage tweed amp.
• Simple yet effective controls for easy usability.
• Offers a distinct sound synonymous with British indie music.
• Versatile for use across multiple genres.
• High-quality sounds for a free version.
• One of the best free guitar plugins around.

#7. Echo Sound Works Vinyl Guitar

Get ready to immerse yourself in an aural experience that evokes the warmth and nostalgia of vinyl records with Echo Sound Works’ Vinyl Guitar. 

It doesn’t just simulate guitar sounds, it goes a step further by sampling a guitar through an actual vinyl record player. 

The result?… A character-rich, lo-fi texture that breathes authenticity into genres like lo-fi, trap, and pop.

Vinyl Guitar comes with a simple graphical user interface (GUI) that is incredibly easy to navigate so you can focus on the creative process. 

Among the parameters available for tweaking are:

• Fret Noise 一 Allows you to control the gritty noises you hear during note and chord changes.
• String Buzz 一 Adds random buzz to your strings (like what you’d hear with a live recording).
• Pick Noise 一 Lets you control the playing style.
• Reverb 一 Gives you extensive control over the spatial characteristics of your sound.

What sets this free plugin apart is its focus on authenticity, right down to the “Attack/Release/Dynamics” section. 

It lets you adapt the virtual instrument to mimic the dynamics and nuances of your playing style or the MIDI you use. 

The tonal subtleties and textural richness make this free VST plugin a perfect candidate for producers looking for a unique edge to their tracks.

Key Features:

• Unique vinyl-record sampled guitar sounds.
• Parameters for fret noise, string buzz, pick noise, and reverb.
• Customizable Attack/Release/Dynamics for mimicking real playing styles.
• A great free virtual guitar instrument

#8. Shreddage 3 Stratus Free

Shreddage 3 Stratus Free by Impact Soundworks is a great choice that packs a ton of premium features. 

Developed specifically for KONTAKT PLAYER, it offers deep-sampled sustain, palm mute, and choke articulations over 3 octaves of playing range.

But that’s just scratching the surface… 

With up to 24 samples per note and an array of performance options, this free plugin is designed to be the ultimate electric guitar sample library over all other guitar sample libraries.

If you’d like to learn all about sample libraries, we’ve got you covered.

Each electric guitar string is sampled up to the 12th fret with different strokes and dynamic layers,  providing unprecedented realism. 

The Poly input feature bolstered this, which allows for more realistic chord voicings. 

For electric guitar tone purists, the plugin offers pristine 24-bit recordings DI (Direct Input) through the neck pickup.

Shredded 3 Stratus also comes with dozens of production-ready tone electric guitar snapshots.

They range from hi-gain amped options to more ambient, clean settings. 

Whether you’re crafting a blistering solo or laying down some clean, rhythmical chords, it’s got you covered. 

Its compatibility with higher memory systems means you can load multiple instances or additional instruments without lag or glitches.

The user interface is as wide and beautiful as its sonic capabilities, ensuring a smooth workflow. 

Key Features:

• Deep-sampled sustain, palm mute, and choke articulations with extensive playing range.
• TACT 2.0 technology for advanced articulation control.
• CONSOLE modular FX rack for extensive sound shaping.
• Pristine 24-bit recordings with DI through the neck pickup.
• Compatible with KONTAKT PLAYER
• One of the best guitar plugins around.

#9. Audiolatry PlastikGuitar

For those looking to unleash their creative prowess across genres like EDM, Pop, Hip Hop, Trap, or House, Audiolatry’s PlastikGuitar is a free VST/AU plugin that should not be overlooked. 

The instrument is based on samples captured by Quartertone from a Yamaha Eterna classical acoustic guitar using a CAD E100 microphone. 

This lends the instrument a high-quality, realistic sonic foundation.

PlastikGuitar comes with two presets: finger plucked (consists of finger-plucked note performances) and harmonics (includes string harmonics played at various frets).

With five velocity layers per sampled note, you have ample control to inject dynamics into your unique music. 

The plugin’s GUI features controls for tremolo, attack and release envelopes, and lowpass and highpass filters. 

PlastikGuitar’s tremolo section, for instance, allows you to create pulsating rhythms or add a vintage wobble to your melodies.

This further extending the plugin’s creative possibilities.

One of the standout features is its ‘Harmonics’ preset. 

With this, you can create psychedelic melodies or lush pads that can be especially useful in genres like Ambient or IDM. 

The GUI also features a room reverb control 一 allowing you to place the guitar in different virtual spaces for an added dimension. 

This free guitar plugin is also natively compatible with M1 chips. Thanks to its raw form, PlastikGuitar offers ample room for creativity. 

Whether you want to create catchy rhythms or ethereal melodies, this free plugin is a versatile addition to your production toolkit.

Key Features:

• Based on high-quality samples from acoustic guitar sounds.
• Two distinct presets, each with 5 velocity layers.
• Intuitive GUI for a free version.
• One of the best free guitar VSTs/free version around.

Side note, another worthy competitor would have to be Steinberg Guitar Harmonics Essential.

Final Thoughts

Guitars have always had the magical ability to add that ‘it’ factor to any musical arrangement.

From the rugged strums of acoustic guitars to the electrifying leads of rock anthems, guitars bring a certain soul and dynamism that is tough to replicate with any other instrument.

As a music producer, incorporating authentic guitar sounds in your tracks can be the transformative element that takes your music from basic to unforgettable.

And each one of these killer free options offers a unique and astonishing palette of guitar tones and capabilities.

They’re not just placeholders but powerful tools that can impart depth, texture, and realism to your music.

But we’re not done helping you elevate your music game just yet…

For those of you who are looking to truly ascend to the next level of music production, we have a special treat: the Beatmaker Guitar Pack (Free Teaser).

This renowned pack includes 10 free guitar loops with matching stems that are 100% royalty-free.

What sets this pack apart is the expert craftsmanship that has gone into each loop, modeled off the styles of the biggest hit songs in beatmaking genres.

Feel the immediate impact of proper, polished, and perfectly processed guitar loops in your next project.

All files are cleared for personal and commercial use, so you’re free to experiment and integrate them into your music however you wish.

With these resources at your disposal, you’re not just tweaking sounds 一 you’re shaping musical experiences.

Prepare to have your tracks not just heard, but felt.

Until next time…