This article features the best free autotune VST plugins. For more music software categories, return to Free VST Plugins.
Autotune is an indispensable music production tool. You can hear autotuned vocals in all music genres, from the latest chart-topping singles to demo tracks by indie artists.
The pitch correction features that were once exclusive to the Antares Auto-Tune Pro ($399) plugin are now available to everyone, thanks to free autotune alternatives. Yes, you can try the Antares Auto-Tune plugin for free for 14 days, but the alternatives listed below are the preferred option if you’re looking for a more permanent solution.
If your music production software collection lacks a pitch correction tool, our list of free autotune VST plugins will help keep your vocals pitch-perfect. All you’ll need is a digital audio workstation that can host VSTs.
Pitch correction is primarily used to correct pitch imperfections in a vocal recording. An autotune plugin can provide perfect vocals that don’t sound unnatural if used sparingly. It can also change the vocal timbre and melody more intentionally, in which case autotune is used as a creative effect.
The latter scenario is also known as the “T-Pain effect” or “the Cher effect,” made famous by Cher’s song “Believe.”
Regardless of your pitch correction requirements, the free autotune VSTs listed below can substitute the original Auto-Tune effect by Antares. Learn how to get autotune free of charge.Free Autotune (2023 Update)
What is the best free autotune in 2023? Here are the best free autotune plugins right now:
- Graillon 2 Free Edition
- MAutoPitch
- GSnap
- KeroVee
- TrapTune Free Edition
- Voloco
Scroll down for more info about each free autotune plugin.
Graillon 2 Free Edition by Auburn Sounds
Graillon 2 Free Edition is the best free autotune on the market.
Its pitch correction module is efficient and easy to use, earning Graillon 2 the number one spot on the autotune freebie list. It is compatible with all digital audio workstations on Windows and macOS.
Autotuning vocals with Graillon 2 couldn’t be easier. Place it as an insert effect in your vocal mix channel (or your live vocal processing chain), turn on the Correction module, and you’re good to go.
Those who require more control over the pitch correction process can limit the note range to a particular scale, adjust the pitch correction speed, and define the autotune algorithm’s note detection range.
Graillon 2 can sound more or less artificial thanks to its flexible pitch correction engine, depending on your project’s stylistic requirements. The mix knob on the right-hand side of the user interface can further reduce the autotune module’s impact where needed.
On the other end of the realism spectrum, you can use Graillon 2’s pitch shifter module in tandem with its pitch correction algorithm to come up with some unusual-sounding vocals. For example, you can mix the dry vocal with the autotuned signal for a unique chorus-like effect.
Or, you can add some pitch shifting with preserved formants to the mix. This will effectively thicken the vocals, adding depth and slightly correcting the pitch at the same time.
The developer recently released an updated version of Graillon 2. It features a resizable user interface (you can set it to any size between 75% and 200%) which increases the compatibility with different screen sizes.
Download: Graillon 2 (32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU plugin format for Windows & Mac OS)
MAutoPitch by MeldaProduction
MAutoPitch is in no way a less capable Antares Auto-Tune alternative than Graillon 2. Whereas the pitch correction features are roughly the same between the two plugins, MeldaProduction’s product adds a few bonus tools like stereo width adjustment, automatic gain control, and a limiter.
This free autotune effect is flexible and easy to operate, with adjustable speed, range, scale, and depth. The added stereo widening feature can be helpful in a vocal processing chain, but make sure to double-check your mix in mono when using it.
However, MAutoPitch isn’t the highest-ranked free autotune plugin because it comes with a cumbersome installer. All MeldaProduction’s freeware plugins, including MAutoPitch, are packed into a single installer file. This results in unnecessarily long download times and a somewhat cumbersome installation procedure.
Also, the plugin’s user interface is slightly less intuitive than Graillon’s, but your mileage may vary. To be fair, MeldaProduction provides a wide choice of different skins with its plugins, so you can choose a look that fits your preference (or your DAW’s interface).
Aside from those few drawbacks, MAutoPitch is a brilliant free autotune VST that could quickly become your go-to pitch correction tool. Just like Graillon 2, it is compatible with all VST and AU plugin hosts on PC and Mac.
Download: MAutoPitch (32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & Mac OS)
GSnap by Graham Yeadon
GSnap is an old freeware autotune plugin. It was the first free autotune VST on the market. Pitch correction software was still somewhat of a rarity back in the day when GSnap was released.
In terms of its features and design, GSnap is still a fantastic pitch correction tool. At first look, it looks pretty similar to Graillon 2 and MAutoPitch. One excellent feature that sets it apart is the ability to tune the processed audio signal according to the MIDI notes on the input.
In other words, you don’t have to rely on the plugin’s automatic pitch detection algorithm. Instead, the user can feed the correct MIDI notes into the plugin and let it take care of the rest.
GSnap’s automatic pitch detection algorithm does a great job as well, although without the formant shifting features found in Graillon 2 and MAutoPitch.
Unlike Graillon 2 and MAutoPitch, GSnap will only work on Windows-based systems. It does come with a very well-written manual, though. The instructions are worth reading if you decide to use GSnap as your go-to free autotune effect.
Download: GSnap (32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin format for Windows & macOS)
KeroVee by g200kg
KeroVee is another old-school pitch correction tool, released way back in 2010. Although it looks slightly less slick than the previous three autotune VSTs on this list, KeroVee’s feature set is on par with the competition. In fact, it also features the MIDI input mode seen in GSnap.
Although MIDI input isn’t required for that classic “T-Pain autotune effect,” the feature is convenient if you want absolute control over the vocal pitch. In a way, KeroVee is closer to Celemony Melodyne than Antares Auto-Tune.
But apart from that, KeroVee can also operate in automatic “free autotune” mode, just like Graillon 2 and MAutoPitch.
However, one area in which KeroVee doesn’t shine is system compatibility. It will only work as a VST plugin in Windows-based digital audio workstations, so macOS users are out of luck here.
KeroVee could be the best option for a gratis autotune plugin if you’re using an older DAW on Windows. It uses almost zero CPU resources and works excellently on older 32-bit systems.
Download: KeroVee (32-bit VST plugin format for Windows)
TrapTune Free Edition by UnitedPlugins
TrapTune Free Edition is a free autotune plugin by UnitedPlugins. It is a freeware lightweight edition of the full TrapTune pitch correction software.
The plugin’s main limitation is that some of the pitch correction controls are locked. However, users can browse the included presets, which cover a wide range of popular autotune effects.
Furthermore, users can fine-tune the pitch correction intensity, speed, and character. The plugin also includes a set of vocal-processing effects like distortion, reverb, and delay.
TrapTune Free Edition is a useful tool for producers who need a quick autotuning effect with plenty of presets.
Download: TrapTune Free Edition (64-bit VST3/VST3/AU plugin format for Windows & macOS)
Voloco by Resonant Cavity
Voloco is a simple free autotune VST that was designed for use exclusively as a creative tool. Don’t expect to achieve subtle vocal pitch correction with Voloco. This is an intentionally robotic-sounding autotune plugin for use in electronic and urban music.
Although Voloco is available as a VST3 and AU plugin on desktop operating systems, it is primarily used on iOS and Android. The app version of Voloco is easily the best free autotune for mobile devices.
It’s a good free autotune alternative for beginners who don’t want a plugin with advanced controls. Voloco offers six autotune vocal presets and lets the user adjust the song key and the scale.
More info: Voloco (32-bit & 64-bit VST3/AU plugin format for Windows & macOS)
Free Autotune: The Budget-Friendly Alternatives
A budget-friendly autotune plugin that won’t break the bank is Auto-Tune Access by Antares. If you’re looking for something more advanced, give iZotope Nectar 3 a try. Brainworx recently released a new autotune effect called bx_crispytuner.
Although more of a pitch shifter than a pitch correction plugin, another interesting vocal processing tool is the excellent Little AlterBoy by Soundtoys. For complete control over the pitch correction process, try using Waves Tune.
If you want a more pricey pitch correction tool, check out Melodyne 5 Essential.
Free Autotune Online
If you want to quickly autotune a vocal without using VST plugins and your DAW, check out the free Web Tone-Tuner by Matt Mouligan.
This free autotune utility will let you upload a vocal and apply pitch correction, all in the comfort of your internet browser. The pitch correction algorithm is based on Tom Baran’s Autotalent software.
Web Tone-Tuner can handle uploaded audio files in WAV and MP3 formats. You can also use a microphone to record a new vocal. The autotuned vocal can be downloaded as a WAV file.
For more freeware plugins and instruments, return to our Free VST Plugins page.
