Best Guitar VST Plugins

 The electric guitar is one of the most iconic and versatile instruments in modern music production — featured across genres like rock, metal, pop, funk, and cinematic scoring. But recording authentic electric guitar tracks often requires skilled guitarists, specialized equipment, and studio time — resources not always available to every producer or composer.

 That’s where electric guitar VST plugins come in. These powerful virtual guitar instruments emulate the sound, tone, and playing techniques of real electric guitars using high-quality samples and advanced articulation controls.

 In this guide, we review 14 of the best electric guitar VSTs — covering everything from heavy metal riff machines and expressive lead guitars to clean rhythm tones and scoring-focused guitar libraries. Whether you're a music producer, composer, or keyboardist, these electric guitar plugins can help you create realistic, mix-ready guitar parts directly in your DAW. 

1. Ample Sound Ample Guitar

 Ample Sound’s Ample Guitar series offers some of the most realistic virtual electric guitars on the market. Based on detailed samples of iconic guitars like the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul, these plugins provide highly expressive playing with articulations such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, legato, slides, palm mutes, and harmonics.

 Ample Guitar includes a powerful tab player, realistic fretboard behavior, humanization controls, and a built-in FX rack with amp modeling, cabinets, reverb, delay, and EQ. It’s especially versatile for both rhythm and lead playing in genres like pop, rock, jazz, and indie.
 The intuitive interface and performance engine allow for deep customization of articulations, strumming patterns, and MIDI mapping — making it a great choice for composers and producers seeking authentic electric guitar tones. 

2. Ample Sound Metal Eclipse

 Ample Sound’s Metal Eclipse and Metal Hellraizer are specialized electric guitar VST plugins tailored for fans of heavy and aggressive guitar music. These libraries feature meticulously sampled guitars: the ESP Eclipse baritone (6-string) and the Schecter Hellraiser (8-string), capturing their raw power and tonal depth.

 Built on the Ample Guitar engine, both instruments include a range of articulations and advanced performance features. The Eclipse is tuned to drop C♯ (C♯, G♯, C♯, F♯, A♯, D♯), while the Hellraizer supports extended-range tuning for 8-string setups (C♯, F♯, B, E, A, D, G, B, E).
 Each plugin also offers adjustable attack strength, a curated set of cabinet impulses optimized for metal tones, and a built-in riff generator that lets users create heavy rhythm sections with ease.

 These VST guitars are a solid pick for producers looking to add authentic, high-gain tones to metal, djent, or hard rock productions. 

3. Heavyocity Scoring Guitars 2

 Heavyocity’s Scoring Guitars 2 is a cinematic-focused electric guitar VST designed with film and TV composers in mind, though it can also complement genres like ambient, post-rock, or electronic music. It excels at delivering rich, atmospheric textures that enhance dramatic or emotional arrangements.

 The library features a wide range of evolving soundscapes, expressive guitar phrases, rhythmic pulses, short stabs, and moody minor chord progressions. Its sonic character aligns with the cinematic styles of composers like Hans Zimmer and Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL).

 While Scoring Guitars 2 isn’t a full-spectrum guitar library for all genres, it’s an excellent choice when you need layered guitar tones that add depth and emotion to your music. 

4. Ilya Efimov LP Electric Guitar/TC Electric Guitar

 Ilya Efimov’s collection of electric guitar VST libraries includes deeply sampled virtual models of the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecaster, available in three versions: one for solo and melodic playing, one for rhythm accompaniment, and one combined version for both styles.

 These virtual guitars offer up to 12 velocity layers per note, realistic fret and fingerboard noise, and support an extensive set of articulations such as slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, glissando, harmonics, and vibrato. They can also be played using techniques like staccato, pizzicato, and variable picking strokes.

 The libraries include more than 200 chord voicing presets tailored to various musical styles, along with software-based double tracking and a built-in effects section for shaping the tone.

 While the interface may feel a bit outdated and less intuitive than modern alternatives, the instruments themselves are remarkably flexible and well-suited to realistic guitar performances. 

4. Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3

 Impact Soundworks' Shreddage 3 series is a standout collection of electric guitar VST instruments known for their high sound quality, realism, and flexibility. Originally created for heavy genres like metal and hard rock, the series has since evolved to cover a wide range of styles.

 The lineup includes several distinct guitars: the 8-string Hydra, 7-string Serpent, baritone Rogue, semi-acoustic Archtop, and the classic Stratus — available in both paid and free versions. Each library is easily customizable and suited for rhythm, lead, or clean tones across multiple genres.

 These virtual guitars support detailed articulations such as tapping, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, vibrato, staccato, pizzicato, harmonics, and grace notes, along with realistic fret noise and amp hum emulation.

 Shreddage 3 instruments also feature a modular effects rack and 30 cabinet impulse responses, enabling users to shape their guitar tone without relying on external plugins.

 With such a wide selection of instruments, the biggest challenge is choosing the right one — but each is highly capable in its own right. 

5. Native Instruments Scarbee Funk Guitarist

 Scarbee Funk Guitarist, developed in collaboration with Native Instruments, is a rhythm-focused electric guitar VST that specializes in funk and groove-based patterns. It features over 3,400 pre-recorded chord voicings and combinations, using 11 different articulations per note to recreate authentic strumming and rhythmic phrasing.

 The engine intelligently varies velocity and note articulation during playback, using techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to produce a natural, dynamic feel. This virtual guitarist captures the signature “chicken scratch” and percussive elements of funk rhythm guitar.

 While not designed for lead or solo performances, it's an ideal tool for creating tight rhythm sections in funk, pop, soul, and electronic productions.

 One thing to note: its signature sound is instantly recognizable, which can be both a strength and a limitation depending on your arrangement. 

6. Native Instruments Session Guitarist Electric Sunburst

The Electric Sunburst Library is part of Native Instruments’ autoplay line and offers a wide range of patterns, arpeggios and riffs recorded on a Gibson Les Paul guitar.

 This virtual guitarist sounds rich and convincing. The developers have included a convenient set of settings in the library, allowing you to mix sound from two pickups, adjust the volume and timbre of pickups, as well as use amplifiers, cabinets and effects.

 The virtual guitarist is able to play chords and arpeggios in various positions using both fingers and a pick. Triads can be played on open strings, using the pizzicato technique, or using harmonics.

 Despite its simplicity and ease of use, Electric Sunburst inherits some of the problems of its funky predecessor. The virtual Gibson Les Paul is more suitable for the role of accompaniment and is stylistically limited to patterns predetermined by the developers.

7. Prominy LPC Electric Distortion and Clean Guitar/SC Electric Guitar 2

 Prominy’s LPC and SC Electric Guitar 2 are highly detailed electric guitar VST libraries based on the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster. Though LPC has been discontinued, it’s still available online and remains popular for its realism and depth. These instruments are built from an extensive library of samples recorded in multiple dynamic layers, pickup positions, and playing scenarios.

 Each library includes a wide range of articulations and effects such as tremolo, feedback control, variable pickup combinations, and double tracking. With over 300 built-in chord types and rhythm patterns, these virtual guitars offer flexibility for composing in rock, pop, jazz, and even metal genres.

 While the interface may feel somewhat dated and less intuitive than modern alternatives, the sonic realism and expressive control make these plugins a strong choice for users who are comfortable with deep configuration.

 If you’re looking for virtual electric guitars that prioritize detail and depth over simplicity, Prominy’s libraries are a well-respected option. 

8. Prominy V-Metal

 Prominy V-Metal is a specialized electric guitar VST tailored for extreme and heavy music genres. It’s based on samples of Alexi Laiho’s ESP Alexi Blacky guitar, loaded with EMG pickups, and delivers aggressive tones suitable for metal, thrash, and similar high-intensity styles.

 Compared to Prominy’s earlier libraries, V-Metal features a more modern and streamlined interface, making it easier to navigate. The plugin supports drop C tuning and includes a wide array of articulations such as palm mutes, tremolo picking, slides, harmonics, and sustains.

 A standout feature is the “cricket” articulation — a unique tremolo arm technique used during solos to create sharp, metallic accents.
 For metal producers seeking detailed control and genre-specific tone, V-Metal offers a highly focused and powerful virtual guitar solution. 

9. Solemn Tones The Odin II

 The Odin II by Solemn Tones is one of the heaviest electric guitar VST plugins available, specifically built for modern metal production. It’s based on detailed samples of a custom ESP LTD 8-string guitar equipped with an Evertune bridge, delivering tight, consistent pitch and brutal low-end clarity.

 To preserve tonal purity, the plugin avoids built-in effects — providing clean, unprocessed DI samples that are ideal for reamping through external amp sims or real hardware.

 The instrument includes 17 articulations, such as open notes, chords, slides, bends, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Users can tune the guitar down to drop C or lower, making it a great match for extreme metal subgenres, especially when paired with the Kraken bass plugin.

 Additional features include control over bend and tremolo intensity, as well as a forced octaver mode for added low-frequency weight.
 While it’s resource-heavy and priced at a premium, The Odin II offers exceptional tone quality for producers seeking raw, aggressive 8-string guitar sounds. 

10. SONiVOX Bright Electric Guitar

 SONiVOX Bright Electric Guitar is a lightweight and budget-friendly electric guitar VST that emulates the classic tone of a Fender Stratocaster. It features a variety of chord patterns, rhythm phrases, and single-note samples, making it suitable for adding simple guitar parts to a track with minimal setup.

 The library includes three layers for both standard and muted notes, along with built-in amp simulation and basic effects for tone shaping. While it lacks deep customization, it covers enough ground to produce clean or lightly processed Strat-style tones.

 Its focus on simplicity makes it a good fit for quick arrangement work or producers who want to avoid complex parameter tweaking. The tonal character leans heavily into the Stratocaster's distinctive brightness, which may not suit all genres — but at just $20, it offers solid value for straightforward guitar needs. 

11. Spitfire Audio LABS Peel Guitar

 Spitfire Audio LABS Peel Guitar is part of the free LABS instrument series, known for offering high-quality sampled sounds with a minimalist interface. Based on a Fender Telecaster, this electric guitar VST delivers warm, atmospheric tones ideal for ambient, cinematic, or experimental compositions.

 The library includes both clean and lightly processed samples, featuring subtle vibrato, tremolo, and mild distortion. It excels at crunchy low-end chord textures as well as shimmering upper-register tones that blend well in layered arrangements.

 While Peel Guitar isn’t designed for versatility or traditional rhythm/lead roles, it shines as a supporting instrument — perfect for adding mood, texture, or character to a mix.
 As a free plugin, it’s a simple yet expressive tool that’s easy to integrate into creative sound design or orchestral hybrid setups. 

12. Splash Sound Power Riffer

 Splash Sound’s Power Riffer is a chord-based electric guitar VST designed specifically for creating realistic rhythm guitar parts with minimal effort. It’s not built for solos or intricate lead playing and doesn’t offer deep articulation options, but it excels at generating authentic and energetic rhythm sections.

 Instead of individual notes, the library focuses entirely on chord samples — recorded with subtle fret noise, picking variations, and natural imperfections to simulate the feel of a live guitarist. Each chord is performed with dynamic realism, making Power Riffer ideal for backing parts in rock, pop, or cinematic tracks.

 Based on clean DI samples, it includes a basic effects section and offers seamless integration with external amp sims. The built-in double-tracking engine automatically generates left/right stereo parts, and the optional auto-performance mode inserts slides and hammer-ons during transitions.

 While limited in flexibility and genre range, Power Riffer is a great solution for fast, convincing rhythm guitar without heavy programming. 

13. UJAM Virtual Guitarist IRON

 UJAM’s Virtual Guitarist IRON is part of the Virtual Guitarist series, which combines automated performance features with user control to make electric guitar VST instruments accessible to non-guitarists. The IRON edition is specifically tailored for rock and heavy styles, offering powerful riffs, chords, and rhythms.

 Designed with composers, producers, and keyboardists in mind, IRON includes a large library of pre-recorded rhythm patterns and a built-in chord recognition system. It’s ideal for quickly building convincing guitar tracks without deep programming or playing skills.

 The plugin comes with built-in amp simulations, effects, pickup settings, and a double-tracking feature to thicken the sound. While the tonal quality is solid, its flexibility is limited by the fixed phrase-based system — making it better suited for arrangements that align with its preset grooves.

 For fast, polished guitar parts with minimal effort, IRON offers a streamlined workflow that balances control with ease of use. 

14. Vir2 Instruments Electri6ity

 Vir2 Instruments' Electri6ity is an expansive electric guitar VST library built on more than 24,000 high-quality samples. It features detailed virtual models of multiple iconic guitars, including the Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul (with humbuckers and P-90s), Gibson ES-335, Rickenbacker 360, and others.

 Each guitar offers its own set of articulations and performance controls, including pizzicato, legato, slides, bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and harmonics. Users can adjust tuning ranges, pickup selection, vibrato behavior, tone shaping, and even simulate human playing imperfections for added realism.

 Electri6ity aims to be a comprehensive solution for electric guitar emulation across genres — from clean tones to distorted leads. While it offers impressive depth and a broad sonic palette, the sheer volume of features can sometimes impact ease of use or overall polish.

 Still, for composers seeking a versatile, all-in-one virtual guitar collection, Electri6ity remains a strong contender with unmatched instrument variety.