The short version of VST vs AU: they are two competing audio plugin formats that do the same job in different ways. VST (Virtual Studio Technology) works on Windows and Mac across most DAWs, while AU (Audio Units) is Apple’s Mac-only format used by Logic Pro and GarageBand. Which one you install depends entirely on your DAW.
| VST | AU | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Steinberg | Apple |
| Platforms | Windows and Mac | Mac only |
| Works in | Most DAWs (Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper, Bitwig) | Logic Pro and GarageBand |
| Current version | VST3 | AUv2 / AUv3 |
| Sound quality | Identical for the same plugin | Identical for the same plugin |
Quick answer
- VST — made by Steinberg, cross-platform (Windows and Mac), used by most DAWs.
- AU — made by Apple, Mac-only, required by Logic Pro and GarageBand.
- Sound quality — identical; the same plugin in VST or AU sounds the same.
- What to install — match the format to your DAW.
What VST plugins are
VST is the most widely supported plugin format. It was created by Steinberg and runs on both Windows and macOS. The current version is VST3, which replaced the older VST2. Nearly every DAW supports VST in some form — Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper and Bitwig all load VSTs. If you are on Windows, VST is effectively your only plugin standard. If you are new to the concept, our primer on what a VST actually is covers the basics first.
What AU plugins are
AU (Audio Units) is Apple’s native plugin format, built into macOS. It only runs on Mac and is the format Logic Pro and GarageBand use. AU plugins are tightly integrated with the Mac audio system and tend to be well validated by the operating system. If you use Logic, you must install the AU version of any plugin you want.
VST vs AU: the real differences
| Feature | VST | AU |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Steinberg | Apple |
| Platforms | Windows + Mac | Mac only |
| Used by | Most DAWs | Logic Pro, GarageBand |
| Current version | VST3 | AUv2 / AUv3 |
| Sound | Identical for the same plugin | |
The key point in any VST vs AU comparison: the audio quality is the same. A given EQ or reverb sounds identical whether you load its VST or AU build. The format only affects which host can open it, not how it processes sound.
Why two formats exist at all
It helps to know that the format is really just a wrapper. Underneath, the plugin’s DSP — the maths that actually shapes your sound — is the same code. What differs is the “handshake” that lets the plugin talk to your DAW: how it reports its parameters, how it passes audio in and out, and how it draws its interface. VST is Steinberg’s open standard, so developers can ship it everywhere. AU is Apple’s standard, baked into macOS, so it integrates neatly with Logic and the wider system. Because the two were designed by different companies with different priorities, a developer usually has to build and validate separate VST and AU versions of the same plugin — which is why you often see both ticked in an installer. None of that changes the sound; it only changes which doors the plugin can walk through.
Which one should you install?
Match the format to your DAW:
- Logic Pro or GarageBand: install AU.
- Ableton, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper, Bitwig: install VST (VST3 where available).
- Multiple DAWs on a Mac: install both AU and VST so every host can see the plugin.
Most plugin installers let you tick which formats to install, so you can simply select the ones your DAWs need. If you are still choosing a DAW, see our roundup of the best free DAWs for beginners, and once you have one, follow our walkthrough on how to install VST plugins. Not sure what to grab first? Our list of the best free VST plugins is a solid starting point.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
A few simple slip-ups account for most “my plugin won’t show up” headaches:
- Installing the wrong format for your DAW. The most common one: dropping a VST into a Logic-only setup, then wondering why it never appears. Logic ignores VSTs entirely. When in doubt on a Mac, install both formats.
- Forgetting to rescan. Most DAWs only look for new plugins on startup or when you trigger a plugin scan. After installing, restart the DAW or run its rescan/validation so the new plugin is registered.
- Mixing 32-bit and 64-bit builds. Modern DAWs are 64-bit and will not load ancient 32-bit plugins. Always grab the current 64-bit installer.
- Installing to a folder the DAW does not scan. VSTs need to land in a folder your DAW is told to watch. If a plugin is missing, check the plugin path settings and point them at the right folder — the steps differ per DAW, so if you are on FL Studio our guide to adding VST plugins in FL Studio walks through it.
- Skipping AU validation in Logic. Logic runs an AU validation pass; if a plugin fails it gets disabled. If a freshly installed plugin is greyed out, re-run validation and update the plugin if needed.
None of these affect sound quality — they are housekeeping issues. Once the right format is installed in the right place and the DAW has scanned it, the plugin behaves identically regardless of format.
A note on other formats
You may also see AAX (the Pro Tools format) and AUv3 (a sandboxed Audio Units variant that also runs on iOS). For most home producers, VST and AU are the only two that matter. Whatever format you use, the fundamentals of getting a clean signal apply equally — start with gain staging and browse more in the mixing and mastering hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a sound quality difference between VST and AU?
No. The same plugin in VST or AU form processes audio identically. The format only determines which DAW can load the plugin, not how it sounds.
Can I use VST plugins in Logic Pro?
No. Logic Pro only loads Audio Units (AU). Install the AU version of any plugin you want to use in Logic; VST files will not show up.
Should I install VST or AU?
Install whichever format your DAW supports. Logic and GarageBand need AU; almost everything else uses VST. If you run more than one DAW on a Mac, install both.
My plugin installed but does not appear in my DAW — why?
Usually one of three things: you installed the wrong format for that DAW, the DAW has not rescanned for new plugins yet, or the plugin landed in a folder your DAW is not set to watch. Restart the DAW or run a plugin rescan first, then check you installed the matching format (AU for Logic, VST for most others) and that your plugin paths point to the right folder.
What is the difference between VST and AU plugins?
VST is Steinberg’s cross-platform format: it runs on both Windows and Mac and is supported by most DAWs, including Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, and Reaper. AU (Audio Units) is Apple’s Mac-only format, and it is the one Logic Pro and GarageBand require. The same plugin sounds identical in either format; the only real difference is which DAW can load it.
Are VST plugins compatible with AU plugins in DAWs?
No, the formats are not interchangeable inside a DAW. Logic Pro ignores VST files entirely, and a VST-only host cannot load an AU. Each DAW only sees the formats it supports. The practical fix on a Mac is to tick both the VST and AU options in the plugin installer, so every host on your system can find the same plugin.
