Simple & Permissive
OwlPlug works with your existing plugin folder layout. No forced reorganization, no locked-in structure. Keep the setup you're already comfortable with.
The Audio Plugin
Manager
OwlPlug discovers and organizes your installed audio plugins, and lets you install new ones through decentralized registries. One interface for VST2, VST3, AU and LV2.
Windows macOS Linux
Open, flexible, and free
Decentralized
Connect to third-party plugin registries alongside the built-in community registries. Any distributor can publish a compatible registry following open audio stack standard.
Open Source
OwlPlug is free and fully open source under GPL-3.0. The codebase is on GitHub and contributions, bug reports, and feedback are always welcomed.
Plugin Management
Your entire library,
automatically discovered
OwlPlug scans your system for installed audio plugins across all standard locations on first launch. Browse, filter, and organize your entire library from a single interface. No manual registration needed.
- Auto-discovers plugins on all standard paths
- Supports VST2, VST3, AU and LV2
- Symlink support for flexible folder organization
- Discover files and active audio components
Registries
Discover and install
from any source
Connect to plugin registries to browse and install new instruments and effects directly in the app. The built-in OwlPlug registry features community-made plugins, and any distributor can publish their own.
- Open Audio Stack Registry compatible
- Add third-party registries
- One-click install directly from the app
DAW Projects
Know which plugins
your projects need
OwlPlug scans your DAW project files and cross-references them with your installed plugins. Spot required and unavailable plugins before you open a session, and keep your studio ready.
- Scan project files for plugin references
- Detect missing or unavailable plugins
- Works alongside your existing DAW workflow
Compatible with
Format Support
Every format,
every platform
OwlPlug handles VST2, VST3, AU, and LV2 across Windows, macOS, and Linux, regardless of which DAW or format combination your setup relies on.
Format Windows macOS Linux
VST2 ✓ ✓ ✓
VST3 ✓ ✓ ✓
AU N/A ✓ N/A
LV2 ✓ ✓ ✓
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OwlPlug really free?
Yes. OwlPlug is free and open source under GPL-3.0. No subscription, no trial limits, no premium tier.
Is it compatible with plugins installed manually?
Yes. OwlPlug scans standard plugin paths and immediately discovers plugins you already have installed, regardless of how they got there. Your existing setup is never touched.
Is my plugin data safe?
OwlPlug stores everything locally in a database on your machine. No account is required, and your plugins never leaves your machine
Is it safe to download plugins with OwlPlug?
OwlPlug only installs plugins from registries you explicitly configure. The built-in community registries (OwlPlug and Open Audio Stack) enforce binary immutability, and every plugin is scanned by multiple antivirus softwares before submission.
How do I distribute my plugin through OwlPlug?
The best way to distribute plugins in OwlPlug is by submitting a new entry to the Open Audio Stack registry. Also, an third party distributor can host a compatible registry by implementing the OAS Registry specification.
Get Started
Ready to take control
of your plugin library?
OwlPlug is free, takes under a minute to install, and works with the plugin folders you already have.
499 GitHub Stars
45+ Releases
8+ Years active