All plugins in the realtime effects section can be used instantly and non-destructively from the effects panel in Audacity.
This means that you can change the effect settings while playing, and come back to your settings after doing many other things - without the need to undo anything, or to wait for the effect to be applied to the track.
Further information about using realtime effects can be found here:
Installing plugins
When you install plugins, they're automatically enabled the next time you restart Audacity. Alternatively, you can also locate and enable them via Effect -> Plugin Manager -> Rescan Plugins. Further instructions can be found here:
Popular plugins
, a plugin to check if an audio book complies with the ACX guidelines
, an effects library from Audacity's sister project.
, a library to import and export various media formats such as M4A, WMA and MP4.
Contributing to this site
If you want to add your own plugin, or one that you found on the web, read the .
Plugin formats supported by Audacity
Nyquist plugins
Audacity has built-in support for Nyquist effects on all operating systems. You can download additional Nyquist plugins, or create your own using the . Nyquist code can be conveniently tested using "" under the Effect menu.
LV2 plugins
Audacity has built-in support for plugins, which are an extensible successor of LADSPA effects. LV2 plugins are mostly built for Linux, but Audacity supports LV2 on all operating systems. To install LV2 plugins, place them in the then use the Plugin Manager to enable the new plugins as in the plugin installation instructions.
VST plugins
Audacity can load VST effects (but not VST instruments) on all operating systems.
VST3 plugins
Starting with Audacity 3.2, VST3 effects are also supported on all operating systems.
Audio Unit plugins
On Mac OS X only, you can add plugins to the .
LADSPA plugins
LADSPA is superseded by LV2. These plugins are mostly built for Linux.
Other sources
This site is only meant as a starting point for effects. There are many more plugins, particularly VST3 ones, available on various vendor sites, directories and online stores. Some of them are listed below:
