EQ is the most important mixing plugin you’ll use in production. Essential for everything from subtle tweaks to dynamic effects, think of EQ as your go-to tool for repairing, adding clarity, balancing, and even mastering your tracks.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ve curated a list of the best EQ plugins, covering all budgets and requirements – these range from straightforward parametric EQs for fine-tuning specific frequencies to advanced dynamic and AI-powered EQs.

No matter your music style, finding the right EQ plugin is crucial. With countless EQ plugins all offering something slightly different, we’ll, hopefully, simplify your decision and ensure you invest wisely.

2. iZotope Ozone 11 Advanced

System compatibility

• Mac: macOS Monterey (12.6.8), macOS Ventura (13.5) – Supported on Intel Macs and Apple silicon Macs (Apple M-series chips) in Rosetta 2 & native
• Windows: Windows 10, Windows 11

Format: AU, AAX VST3

Pros

• Seven different included EQ types, making a complete toolset for all applications
• Each EQ type can be loaded as a module to chain multiple EQs together
• An excellent choice for beginners and professionals with intuitive and easy-to-use layouts, delivering quality results

Cons

• The most expensive of all plugins on the list

Slightly unfair to this list, iZotope Ozone 11 Advanced is a complete mastering tool. That said, it does contain seven different EQ types to suit any mixing need.

Clarity, EQ, Spectral Shaper, Dynamic EQ, Match EQ, Vintage EQ, and Stabilizer modules… that’s a lot of different EQ types. With this ridiculous amount of flexibility, this could safely be the only EQ plugin you ever reach for, but it lacks a bit of character compared to vintage-modelled EQs.

Even with all this power, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore its signature “Assist Mode” and let AI take the wheel, doing your EQ for you. What a time to be a producer! Expensive, mastering-grade, comprehensive, overwhelming… there are pros and cons for this behemoth of a plugin, but its unmatched flexibility and power more than justifies its position on this list.

3. FabFilter Pro-Q 4

System compatibility

• Mac: OS X macOS 10.13 or higher (Apple Silicon or Intel processor)
• Windows: 11, 10, 8, 7 or Vista

Format: VST2, VST3, AU, AAX

Pros

• Extremely user-friendly with one of the best-looking interfaces around
• Allows you to draw your EQ curve; Pro-Q 4 will automatically snap to the positions you draw
• Customisable, ultra-high resolution spectrum analyser helps monitor your frequency range

Cons

• Lack of Q-type variety

At the core of FabFilter Pro-Q 4 lies a design philosophy that prioritises clarity, control, and efficiency. New for this most recent version of the plugin, Spectral Dynamics allows you to address specific frequency issues without affecting the overall mix, essentially reducing harsh resonances while the refined Dynamic EQ gives you smooth attack and release options.

Its intuitive parametric interface means you’ll spend less time learning how to use it and more time actually using it. Better still, you can also draw your EQ curve directly into the plugin window; Pro-Q will automatically snap the curve to the correct positions. And for an even easier navigation, there’s the Instance List feature. This shows you all the active plugin instances across multiple channels, in one window. 

The processing prowess of Pro-Q 4 leverages digital clarity, avoiding the emulation of analog artifacts, and focusing instead on pristine, transparent sound adjustments. This makes it a powerful tool in any audio editing suite, capable of both subtle modifications and profound transformations of any audio material.

4. SSL Native Channel Strip 2

System compatibility

• Mac: macOS Monterey 12, Big Sur 11, Catalina 10.15
• Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11 (64-bit)

Format: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native

Pros

• Anti-cramping design allows for a more natural and “airy” top-end that a hardware EQ delivers
• Immaculate analog recreation of the famous SSL9000K channel EQ with both G and E-series console modes
• Dedicated high and low-pass filters

Cons

• Non-resizable plugin window

The SSL Native Channel Strip 2 is the best semi-parametric, characterful SSL sound, all inside your DAW with unrivalled accuracy.

It boasts a four-band Anti-Cramping EQ, letting you switch between the classic G and E-series console curves for precise tonal shaping. They sound as you’d expect: clean, defined, and very musical just like a console and with enhanced trim faders, you can really drive the gain per band and get into slightly crunching saturation.

Run your vocals through and add sheen in the top end or tighten up a bass guitar with the filters and sweepable low-frequency shelf. This is a channel strip that should sit on every channel in your session to sculpt any sound to your mix quickly.

5. Sound Radix SurferEQ

System compatibility

• Mac: OS X 10.6 or higher
• Windows: Windows 7 or higher

Format: AAX, RTAS, Audio Unit, VST, VST3 – 32-bit and 64-bit

Pros

• Pitch-tracking EQ adjusts with the input source to maintain the core sound
• Proprietary asymmetric, morphing EQ algorithms preserve transient information perfectly
• Threshold can be set per band with Spectral Gate for customised response

Cons

• Q values of each band can’t be adjusted as precisely as other EQs

Sound Radix SurferEQ is not your average EQ. Unlike traditional static EQs, SurferEQ tracks the pitch of monophonic input signals in real time, moving each frequency band with the music. Unlike static EQs, SurferEQ maintains consistent boosts and cuts across musical notes to maintain the character of every sound, even when making some pretty bold moves. Truly unique!

Though only limited to six bands with two being filters, each band’s frequency and Q morphs, eliminating the need for much more than what’s present. It boasts a lot of advanced features like MIDI triggering to “play” the EQ like an instrument, really truly unique!

6. Sonible Smart:EQ 4

System compatibility

• Mac: OSX 10.14+
• Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit)

Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX

Pros

• Automatic EQ parameter adjusting based on custom sound profiles or reference tracks
• Control multiple instances simultaneously with Group view, allowing for grouped spectral unmasking
• An ideal solution for beginner mixing engineers to get professional results

Cons

• Unmasking in Group mode is static and not dynamic

The most well-known AI-powered EQ, Smart:EQ 4 is centred around usability. With 24 bands of automated, dynamic frequency bands, you can achieve everything from multiband compression to de-essing. It’s not just about adjusting frequencies; it’s about tailoring your sound precisely with minimal fuss.

There’s no denying that this plugin is tailored towards beginners or professionals on tight deadlines as it focuses on the automatic EQ feature. This lets you pick from over 40 sound profiles from instruments and genres or even your own imported files. From here, sit back and let the plugin do the work!

What’s more, Group Mode lets you balance up to 10 tracks simultaneously to monitor for frequency clashing and masking – simply a must to achieve a balanced mix in a complex session.

7. Sonnox Toolbox Claro

System compatibility

• Mac: OSX 10.8 or later – M1 compatible using Rosetta 2
• Windows: Windows 7 or later

Format: AAX, AAX-DSP, AU, VST2 & VST3

Pros

• Three different EQ types in one, adapting to your needs as you move throughout a project
• Dynamic auto-gain maintains volume level against your audio tonality
• 26 bands with customisable Q and independent solo per band

Cons

• The “Mix” window can be slightly confusing when unmasking multiple sources

With Claro, Sonnox have recognised that you will use EQ differently depending on where you are in the production process. There are three modes, adjusting the workflow to match each stage of the production process, from producing to tweaking and mixing.

Produce Mode lets you make quick adjustments to the overall curve of your sound before diving into Tweak to make more precise adjustments. Lastly, the most important part, the Mix mode lets you overlay frequencies of multiple tracks to solve any masking issues that might arise from a typical kick drum and bass guitar scenario.

It doesn’t just boast unrivalled workflow, Claro has a great number of features, from the dynamic auto-gain to 26 bands reaching up to 40kHz and the variable Q-factor filters which sound fantastic, particularly on vocals.

8. Universal Audio Manley Massive Passive EQ

System compatibility

• Mac: 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, or 13 Ventura
• Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit editions)

Format: AU, AAX VST3

Pros

• Selectable between normal and Mastering versions, changing between sweep and stepped controls
• Each band can work as a shelf or bell curve for more flexibility
• Independent Left and Right channels which can be linked or unlinked

Cons

• The gain settings don’t always match the outcome, so a visualiser may be needed

Smooth, warm, and unapologetically vintage, this analog-modelled semi-parametric EQ is one of the finest mastering EQs on the planet. The Universal Audio Manley Massive Passive encompasses the perfectly rounded curves of the hardware counterpart in your DAW.

It has a distinct sound unlike anything else, just run a track through it and you’ll hear a small amount of colouration already.

Separated into left and right channels with boost and cut options for each band with a huge bandwidth per band, this EQ is all about broad-stroke moves rather than surgical cuts. If you’re looking for that extra 10% at the end of your production when it needs to jump out of the speakers, this is the EQ you need.

9. Eventide SplitEQ

System compatibility

• Mac: macOS 10.9 or newer
• Windows: Windows 8 or newer

Format: AAX, VST2, VST3, AU

Pros

• EQ and transient and sustain sections of an audio track independently
• Comprehensive EQ bands including Peak, Notch, Band-Pass, Shelving, and Tilt from 6 to 98dB/octave
• Can work in Stereo and Mid/Side mode

Cons

• Not capable of traditional EQing

Another entry that’s unlike the rest, the Eventide SplitEQ, an eight-band parametric EQ, separates the transient and sustain portion of any audio signal. Functionally different from most EQ plugins, you’re not just simply boosting high-end or cutting low-end, but designing the timbre of the sound unlike anything else.

The design sidesteps many common EQ compromises when mastering or fixing poorly recorded instruments. Add 250Hz punch to the transient portion of a snare drum, or remove the harsh 4kHz area of a hi-hat – these are just a few examples of the endless tweaking to be done (you can even do this in mid-side). Although unique and complex, its interface makes it a breeze to navigate with its familiar layout.

10. Arturia EQ SITRAL-295

System compatibility

• Mac: Mac OS 10.13+
• Windows: Win 10+ (64bit)

Format: VST, AAX, AU (64-bit)

Pros

• Powered by TAE component-level modelling and PHI state-of-the-art physical modelling
• Enhanced with Charakter switch, offering a tweaked and modern sound of the original
• Scale the Range Knob to adjust the overall effect level between 1 to 0.25

Cons

• Not as much control over frequency bands when compared to other EQs

This semi-parametric EQ is a digital reincarnation of a celebrated ’70s German broadcast EQ module. Mirroring the original hardware’s straightforward layout, it’s a breeze to navigate the fixed Low, semi-parametric Mid, and fixed High-frequency bands.

Smooth, bright and articulate, EQ SITRAL-295 is powered by Arturia’s cutting-edge Phi and TAE technologies, ensuring every tweak retains the smooth, warm character of its analogue counterpart.

Enhanced for more flexibility while keeping the signature tone, SITRAL-295 is fitted with a Charakter switch, introducing an ‘Alternative’ mode with a modern sonic flair with added harmonic richness and subtle compression. This is the kind of EQ you put on to “sweeten” tracks instead of trying to reshape the frequency spectrum in any way, and for that, it’s one of the best.

11. Baby Audio Smooth Operator

System compatibility

• Mac: Mac OS 10.7 and up including Catalina/Big Sur
• Windows: Windows 7 and newer

Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX

Pros

• Automatically reduces harsh sibilance and resonance without compromising clarity
• Useable across an entire mix from vocals, guitars, cymbals, and more
• Side-chain lets you duck the targeted frequency range against another track in your mix

Cons

• Can very easily be pushed into overuse when solo’d

The Baby Audio Smooth Operator functions as a dynamic suppressor, a la Soothe 2, designed to polish your tracks by removing harsh resonances. A complex plugin under the hood, it’s presented with a modern interface that lets you take control of the four EQ bands with ease.

The dynamic real-time analysis means that it works incredibly well across a myriad of instruments like scratching violins, drum cymbals, harsh lead female vocals, and much more. It’s just as comfortable on a mix bus or even your master channel, acting as a multi-band compressor as well, making it incredibly versatile.

With its innovative approach to ‘compression as an effect’, particularly when dramatically altering frequencies in drum loops, and an external side-chain option that allows for strategic frequency ducking, Smooth Operator offers a unique toolset that more and more engineers are using.

12. Newfangled Equivocate

System compatibility

• Mac: OSX 10.9+
• Windows: Windows 8+

Format: AAX, VST2, VST3, AU

Pros

• 26 bands based on the MEL scale, delivering a neutral and pleasant tone
• Quickly draw your EQ curve with the swipe of a mouse
• Customise the number of bands and the frequencies for a unique tone

Cons

• Not as intuitive as traditional EQs

Using the Mel scale, Newfangled Equivocate’s graphic EQ design aligns with the nuances of human hearing to ensure that each adjustment you make is as natural to the ear as possible.

EQuivocate features 26 adjustable filter bands with linear-phase filtering for creating authentic EQ curves effortlessly. Tailor the filter’s centre frequency, add or remove bands, and draw your desired EQ curve directly with a simple click and drag, allowing for precise control over your sound.

This plug-in is an invaluable tool for mixing and mastering, providing an EQ match section to transfer sonic characteristics from one source to another effortlessly. Whether it’s a gimmick or not is up to you, but it certainly sounds very natural and sweet when applied across any audio source in a mix or even a full master channel.

13. MAAT SantaCrizEQ6

System compatibility

• Mac: macOS 10.9 and newer, 64-bit only
• Windows: Windows 7 and newer, 32 & 64 bit

Format: AAX, VST2, VST3, AU

Pros

• Reference-quality EQ with incredibly precise accuracy, with no distortion
• Select between multiple Q characteristics per band
• Extended centre frequency reaches up to 80 kHz for filtering and correction in the ultrasonic range

Cons

• Limited to only six bands

A mastering-quality EQ, the MAAT SantaCruzEQ6 seamlessly combines the character of analogue warmth with the precision of digital clarity. This plugin features four parametric bands and two filter EQ sections, each with multiple architectures, offering you unmatched flexibility in sound shaping.

A slept-on gem, this plugin uses revolutionary technology for the most precise curves you can imagine, and each architecture really does bring something new to a traditional bell curve. It’s like having hundreds of EQs in one with a variety of filter types. It’s also built with advanced upsampling technology for pristine audio up to an insane 384kHz sample rate.

Designed for efficiency, the SantaCruzEQ6 minimises CPU load, making it ideal for complex projects without sacrificing performance.

14. TDR SlickEQ M

System compatibility

• Mac: OS X 10.9 or above
• Windows: Win XP SP2 or above

Format: VST2, VST3, AU, AAX

Pros

• One of the few mastering-specific EQs
• Parallel architecture delivers smooth and musical sounds, ideal for mastering
• Match EQ functionality to recreate curves of reference tracks automatically

Cons

• No Mid-Side mode

Designed with precision and musicality, the TDR SlickEQ M is perfectly tuned for mastering, ensuring your sessions deliver professional results.

The intuitive user interface makes navigating through its extensive features a breeze. With six fully parametric bands, each offering control over stereo width and balance, you’re equipped to fine-tune your mixes in ways you’ve perhaps not considered before.

For those deep tonal adjustments, SlickEQ M includes variable filter slopes along with high-pass and low-pass filters. The low and high-frequency exciters add just the right amount of character, mimicking analogue warmth without introducing unwanted distortion.

A clever operation panel helps identify and eliminate resonances, allows A/B comparisons with previous curves, and even models after reference tracks. This ensures that your master not only sounds professional but also stands up to commercial standards.

15. Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection

System compatibility

• Mac: 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, or 13 Ventura
• Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit editions)

Format: AU, AAX VST3

Pros

• Includes all three versions of the famous Pultec EQs
• Incredibly smooth curves, matching the hardware original
• Introduces authentic analog-style imperfections and interactions between bands

Cons

• Each EQ is an individual plugin; having them in one window would allow for greater flexibility

The Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection is a suite of EQ plugins that model three different Pultec hardware EQs. Faithfully emulated, these plugins capture the essence of the original complete with their iconic overlapping frequency bands for unique resonant filtering.

The intuitive interface mirrors the historic units but adds a helpful output gain knob for modern convenience.

The superstar of the bundle is the EQP-1A, offering the extraordinary ability to boost and attenuate the same frequency simultaneously, providing nuanced control that can add clarity and depth to your tracks – particularly effective in enhancing vocals with its high shelf boost at 16kHz or enriching bass with a low shelf boost.

Ideal for any sound requiring extra body or sparkle, the Universal Audio Pultec Passive makes it simple to inject a touch of the magic that has made Pultec a studio legend.