Top 10 Best Free Compressor Plugins 2024
This article features the top 10 completely free VST compressors, ranging from digital and visual effects to emulations of classic, old-school analog racks.
A dynamic range compressor is a vital mixing tool and an integral component of every digital audio workstation.
Having a high-quality compressor plugin is just as crucial as understanding how compressors operate.
While mastering compressor techniques requires practice, this list will assist you in finding the best free plugins to suit your needs.
Please note some of these links may be affiliate links and MSD may earn a small commission from your purchase which will help support the site.
Want to get a weekly digest of only the best audio plugin deals? No extra fluff? Join our newsletter:
Top 10 Best Free Compressor Plugins 2024
1. TDR Kotelnikov

Link: TDR Kotelnikov
TDR Kotelnikov is the top free compressor plugin for audio mastering.
Created by Tokyo Dawn Labs, this plugin offers transparent dynamic range compression ideal for use on the master bus.
TDR Kotelnikov is an essential addition to your mixing and mastering toolkit and is one of our top recommendations in the free music production software category.
TDR Kotelnikov is a wideband dynamics processor that combines high-fidelity dynamic range control with exceptional musical flexibility.
As a descendant of the renowned TDR Feedback Compressor family, Kotelnikov inherits unique features such as a proven control scheme, individual release control for peak and RMS content, an intuitive user interface, and advanced high-precision algorithms.
With a sonic signature best described as “stealthy,” Kotelnikov can dramatically manipulate dynamic range while preserving the original tone, timbre, and punch of the musical signal.
This makes it ideal for stereo bus compression and other critical applications.
Proudly digital, Kotelnikov does not attempt to emulate any existing device, making it a truly original creation.
2. RoughRider3

Link: RoughRider3
Looking for something a bit more heavy duty?
We’ve got you covered!
Over its 15-year history, RoughRider has become one of the most widely used plugins in music production.
Its simplicity and distinctive sound make it a go-to compressor for every music genre.
RoughRider3 is a plugin tailored for heavy-duty dynamic range compression.
Ideal for percussive material like acoustic drums and electronic beats, RoughRider3 can also yield interesting results on guitars, basslines, and even vocals.
This character compressor intentionally avoids sounding clean or subtle, instead warming up the processed audio signal and aggressively reducing its dynamic range while adding punch and weight.
3. Tan 2

Link: Tan 2
This second-generation classic analog VCA compressor provides a variety of sound-shaping options to meet your professional audio needs.
At the forefront of Tan 2’s emulated rack are standard compression controls, including a gain reduction meter, threshold, ratio, attack, and release knobs.
Unlike many modern compression plugins, Tan 2 offers minimal visual feedback aside from the gain reduction meter, promoting a traditional, ear-focused approach to using effects.
This method harkens back to when producers relied on their ears rather than visual aids to perfect their sound.
In addition to these standard controls, Tan 2 features a “SHMod” dial, which functions as a look-ahead control, adjusting how the compressor applies the attack to reduce peaks.
Tan 2 also includes a built-in sidechain feature, a standard high-pass filter (HPF), gain control, and a master dry/wet knob.
New compressor emulations are also introduced: Hyper Tan, Hyper Tan AA, Hyper Double Tan, Hyper Double Tan AA, and Original Tan, which feature adjustable oversampling rates (1x, 2x, 4x) to enhance audio quality.
4. DC1A

Link: DC1A
Described by the developer as an “effortless character comp,” DC1A lives up to its reputation with ease of use and a pleasing analog-like compression quality.
Borrowing its compression algorithm from the more intricate DC8C compressor, DC1A adopts the “Punch” mode and simplifies it into a dual-control interface.
The input knob amplifies the incoming audio signal and dictates the degree of dynamic compression applied, while the output knob regulates the volume of the compressed signal.
The toolbar at the interface’s bottom offers additional features like parallel compression and dual-mono processing.
With just two parameters—input gain and output volume—DC1A is ideal for novice music producers, offering a straightforward compressor VST plugin.
If you appreciate DC1A’s streamlined design, consider exploring Klanghelm’s other freeware compressor plugin, MJUC jr, featuring a vintage-style analog sound with its variable-mu compressor design.
5. Density mkIII

Link: Density mkIII
Density mkIII was primarily crafted for typical stereo audio group mixing scenarios or for summing purposes, aiming to seamlessly unite elements without drawing attention.
Employ the limiter mode to tackle challenging audio dynamics—it doesn’t employ a brickwall design but rather provides a stricter dynamic handling approach.
When working in M/S mode, make use of the RANGE functions for each channel to facilitate more accurate M/S compression adjustments.
Density mkIII doesn’t just handle transients with musicality and mastering-grade precision — it also enhances the audio experience by delivering a three-dimensional sound image, enhancing perceived depth and dimension.
6. Frontier

Link: Frontier
Frontier stands out as an ideal tool for nearly any studio setup due to its exceptional quality and performance.
Its straightforward interface, coupled with outstanding sound quality, will be valued by engineers seeking an efficient means of managing dynamics on channels, buses, or even the master output.
Frontier serves as a highly transparent mixing/mastering limiter at specific settings, smoothly taming the highest amplitude peaks.
Alternatively, it can be employed creatively as a sound sculptor when more extreme adjustments are desired.
For those who are still familiarizing themselves with compressor VST plugins, starting with a basic limiter like Frontier can be a wise choice.
A limiter, inherently, is a compressor featuring a rapid attack time and a compression ratio of 10:1 or greater.
Therefore, using Frontier allows you to grasp setting parameters such as threshold and release time before advancing to more intricate compressor plugins.
7. Puncher 2 Lite

Link: Puncher 2 Lite
Without delving into the intricacies of audio processing, there are times when you simply want a quick and straightforward method to enhance your tracks.
Enter Puncher 2 Lite, equipped with robust compression and transient shaping capabilities to deliver impactful results.
W.A. Production focused on simplicity and efficiency, streamlining the interface by retaining only the most essential controls from Puncher 2.
However, don’t let its pared-down appearance deceive you—Puncher 2 Lite packs the same punch as its larger counterpart, allowing you to elevate your audio with controls that bring it to life.
Harnessing the combined power of a Transient Shaper, Multiband Compressor, and Parallel Compressor, Puncher 2 Lite offers precise control over transient energy and delivers clear, dynamic punch.
Stand out from the crowd with Puncher 2 Lite’s straightforward approach, leaving you free to focus on what you love most: making music.
8. OTT

Link: OTT
As its name implies, OTT, developed by Serum developer Xfer, isn’t a plugin known for its subtlety.
It’s a multiband upward/downward compressor that excels in delivering smashed, pumping, and aggressive sounds.
This plugin is one you’ll either rarely touch or find indispensable.
If you’re working on delicate neo-classical recordings, it may not be necessary, but for those crafting hard-hitting electro or festival-ready EDM tracks, it might become a staple.
Unlike conventional compressors that primarily control dynamics, OTT shines at bringing weaker sounds to the forefront of a mix.
It’s useful for adding modern flair to vintage loops, and its multiband design allows for enhancing specific frequency ranges—be it high, low, or mid frequencies—within a track.
9. DCAM FreeComp

Link: DCAM FreeComp
DCAM FreeComp is a staple compressor VST plugin, boasting a circuit-modeled design inspired by a vintage console bus compressor.
Despite its vintage roots, the plugin maintains a transparent sound profile.
It performs admirably on both individual tracks and stereo buses.
The interface of the plugin mirrors the layout of classic hardware compressors, featuring familiar parameters such as threshold, compression ratio, and attack time.
This plugin aims to unify subgroups and entire mixes while elevating punch and clarity.
Additionally, it excels in artistic manipulation, taming peaks in individual tracks and generating pumping compression effects when pushed to more extreme settings.
10. MCompressor

Link: MCompressor
Number 10 on our list is MCompressor by MeldaProduction.
We covered this plugin in our Best Free VST Plugins 2024 blog, so it’s only fitting that it sits nicely in this list too!
MCompressor is a versatile compressor VST plugin from MeldaProduction, distinguished by its unique feature of a freely adjustable compression shape, which allows users to tailor the dynamic response.
It also provides standard compression knee modes, a sidechain input, and controls for volume, compression ratio, threshold, attack, and release times.
The plugin features oversampling for superior sound quality, various interface customization options, and a built-in preset manager.
One minor inconvenience is that the installation package is an all-in-one installer containing every MeldaProduction product.
However, users can choose which plugins to install, and the download size is relatively small, at around 250 MB.
Additionally, the package includes other freeware plugins such as the MBitFun bitcrusher effect.