What is the best realistic piano VST?

There is no single best choice. Pianoteq is strong for physical modelling, Keyscape for broad keyboard coverage, modern Kontakt Player pianos for polished cinematic workflows, and imperfect samples for recorded piano character.

Is imperfect samples a piano VST?

The libraries are sample libraries for Kontakt, Logic Sampler or EXS24 where supplied. Kontakt can run as a VST plugin in many DAWs, but the libraries are not standalone VST instruments.

Does imperfect samples work in Kontakt Player?

Use the full version of Kontakt for Kontakt editions. Kontakt Player is different from full Kontakt and may not run unlicensed libraries properly.

Which imperfect samples library fits upright piano VST searches?

Start with Braunschweig Upright for a natural upright piano and Brasted Broken Upright for a more broken, honky-tonk character.

Which imperfect samples library fits grand piano VST searches?

Start with Ebony Concert Grand and Walnut Concert Grand, then compare their demos and system requirements.

Best realistic piano VST plugins and sample libraries

For the best piano VST, instead of focussing on specifications or how "new" a plugin is, choose by listening to audio demos first. The sound of the piano affects your inspiration, musicality & even how you play. Some of the nicest piano sounds can often be the oldest on the market.

Piano keyboard with headphones and audio waveform

Top picks

Listed alphabetically, not ranked. Listen to audio demos of each, to find your preferred piano sound. The best advice is to choose by audio, not specification.

deep-sampled Abbey Road Studios CFX Garritan ARIA Player (VST / AU / AAX) Yamaha CFX concert grand recorded at Abbey Road Studio One.

sampled Addictive Keys Studio Grand XLN Audio Standalone (VST / AU / AAX) Steinway Model D studio grand for quick production.

deep-sampled Braunschweig Upright Piano imperfect samples Kontakt Full (VST / AU / AAX)Logic Sampler (AU) | EXS24 (AU) Schimmel Braunschweig upright with intimate imperfect realism.

deep-sampled Ebony Concert Grand imperfect samples Kontakt Full (VST / AU / AAX)Logic Sampler (AU) | EXS24 (AU) FAZIOLI F278 Concert Grand, deeply sampled for individual tone.

deep-sampled Ivory 3 German D Synthogy Standalone (VST / AU / AAX) German Steinway D 9-foot concert grand in the Ivory engine.

sampled Keyscape Spectrasonics Standalone (VST / AU / AAX) Collector keyboard library including the LA Custom C7 grand.

sampled Noire Native Instruments Kontakt Player (VST / AU / AAX) Nils Frahm Yamaha CFX 9-foot concert grand, pure and felt.

modelled Pianoteq 9 Modartt Standalone (VST / AU / AAX)iOS Physically modelled piano, not recorded piano samples.

sampled Ravenscroft 275 VI Labs UVI Workstation (VST / AU / AAX)Falcon (VST / AU / AAX) Ravenscroft Model 275 titanium concert grand samples.

sampled The Grandeur Native Instruments Kontakt Player (VST / AU / AAX) Modern concert grand; exact source piano not publicly named.

deep-sampled Synchron Concert D-274 Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Piano Player (VST / AU / AAX) Hamburg Steinway & Sons D-274 recorded on Stage A at Vienna Synchron Stage.

deep-sampled Walnut Concert Grand imperfect samples Kontakt Full (VST / AU / AAX)Logic Sampler (AU) | EXS24 (AU) Classic Vintage Steinway Model C from 1908, recorded imperfectly by a human for warmth and musical inspiration, including key up and pedal sounds.

Detailed notes

Listed alphabetically, not ranked. NB: audio demos are hosted on the manufacturer's websites. Prices are true at the time of writing, but please visit their website for up to date pricing. As always, compare the sound first before anything else! This is the best way to choose a piano VST for your project or preference!

More piano plugins

Alphabetical, not ranked: useful alternatives for specific workflows, formats and character sounds. Prices are public prices at the time of writing; check each maker for current up to date prices. Currency conversions are approximate.

Product	Description	Price	Audio demos
7CG MkII sampledSampleTekk	Yamaha C7 sampled grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
Alicia's Keys sampledNative Instruments	Recorded Processed Yamaha C3	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
ASCEND Modern Grand sampledHeavyocity	Cinematic processed grand	$149	Audio demosopens in new page
Black Grand MkII sampledSampleTekk	Steinway D concert hall grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
Blue Grand MkII sampledSampleTekk	Character Malmsjo grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
Brasted Broken Upright deep-sampledimperfect samples	Brasted broken upright with character	£39.99 (≈ $54) Basic£89.98 (≈ $121) Pro£119.97 (≈ $162) Complete	Audio demosopens in new page
Chateau Piano sampledSpitfire Audio	Atmospheric character grand	£149 (≈ $201)	Audio demosopens in new page
Claire sampledNative Instruments	Modern Kontakt Player grand	$149	Audio demosopens in new page
Claustrophobic Piano sampledPianobook	Amateur community made piano	Free	Audio demosopens in new page
EARTH Piano sampledRoland	Roland Cloud sampled/modelled blend	$249.99	Audio demosopens in new page
Emotional Piano sampledSoundiron	Cinematic emotional piano	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
EZkeys 2 Session Grand sampledToontrack	Songwriting and MIDI workflow	$179	Audio demosopens in new page
Galaxy Vintage D sampledGalaxy Instruments	Older respected Kontakt piano	$109	Audio demosopens in new page
Grand Rhapsody Piano sampledWaves	Mainstream producer grand	$99.99	Audio demosopens in new page
Hans Zimmer Piano deep-sampledSpitfire Audio	Large processed piano library	£249 (≈ $336)	Audio demosopens in new page
Key Suite Acoustic sampledUVI	Broad acoustic keyboard collection	$149	Audio demosopens in new page
LABS Soft Piano sampledSpitfire / Splice	Amateur community made piano	Free	Audio demosopens in new page
Piano in Blue sampledSonicsmiths / Cinesamples	Character/cinematic historic piano	$149	Audio demosopens in new page
Piano V modelledArturia	Small footprint and sound design	$249	Audio demosopens in new page
Pianoverse sampledIK Multimedia	Modern sampled piano platform	$99.99	Audio demosopens in new page
Quantum Leap Pianos deep-sampledEastWest	Legacy multi-piano collection	$149/year	Audio demosopens in new page
Rain Piano MkII sampledSampleTekk	Character upright piano	$49	Audio demosopens in new page
Ravel Grand Piano sampledUniversal Audio	UAD Spark producer piano	$149	Audio demosopens in new page
SampleTekk Black sampledSampleTekk	Kontakt Player Steinway D	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
SGX-2 Piano sampledKORG	KORG workstation piano sound	$149	Audio demosopens in new page
Singularis sampledSampleTekk	Old-school recording piano	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
ST Abandoned sampledSampleTekk	Abandoned character piano	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
ST CIN sampledSampleTekk	Cinematic acoustic piano	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
ST SSG sampledSampleTekk	Small studio grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
Studio Bosendorfer 280VC deep-sampledVienna Symphonic Library	Clear, versatile Bosendorfer 280VC recorded on Stage B	€285 (≈ $328) Standard€445 (≈ $512) Full	Audio demosopens in new page
Synchron Bosendorfer Imperial deep-sampledVienna Symphonic Library	Bosendorfer 290 Imperial with 97 keys and powerful extended bass	€285 (≈ $328) Standard€540 (≈ $621) Full	Audio demosopens in new page
Synchron Fazioli F308 deep-sampledVienna Symphonic Library	Fazioli flagship 308 cm concert grand recorded on Stage A	€315 (≈ $362) Standard€590 (≈ $679) Full	Audio demosopens in new page
Synchron Yamaha CFX deep-sampledVienna Symphonic Library	Bright, precise Yamaha CFX concert grand recorded on Stage A	€255 (≈ $293) Standard€490 (≈ $564) Full	Audio demosopens in new page
TBO MkII sampledSampleTekk	Detailed Yamaha C7 grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
The Grand 3 sampledSteinberg	Long-running Steinberg piano	£168 (≈ $227)	Audio demosopens in new page
The Hammersmith deep-sampledSoniccouture	Detailed composer grand	£149 (≈ $201)	Audio demosopens in new page
TVBO sampledSampleTekk	Studio Yamaha C7 grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
Vertikal MkII sampledSampleTekk	Vintage upright piano	$49	Audio demosopens in new page
WG2 MkII sampledSampleTekk	Malmsjo studio grand	$99	Audio demosopens in new page
White Baby Grand deep-sampledimperfect samples	Hohner Schwarzwald White Baby Grand	£39.99 (≈ $54) Basic£89.98 (≈ $121) Pro£119.97 (≈ $162) Complete	Audio demosopens in new page
White Grand MkII sampledSampleTekk	Pop/rock/jazz sampled grand	$79	Audio demosopens in new page

Looking for a more exhaustive list of all piano VSTs and piano sample libraries ever made? See the separate A-Z piano VST/plugin index for a broader catalogue of current, legacy and specialist piano plugins and sample libraries at the time of writing.

Third-party product and company names are trademarks of their respective owners. This guide is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any third-party company.


All media © imperfect samples and/or its media providers. All rights reserved. why imperfect samples? click here \| piano VST guides	site by Matt Alexander