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iPlug2/iPlug2

Free

C++ Audio Plug-in Framework for desktop, mobile, xr and web

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source

About iPlug2/iPlug2

iPlug2 is a simple-to-use C++ framework for developing cross-platform audio plug-ins and applications. It abstracts audio plug-in logic (IPlug) and a drawing engine/GUI toolkit (IGraphics) to target multiple plug-in APIs with minimalistic code. IGraphics provides a collection of common controls for audio plug-ins using bitmap or vector graphics, with support for NanoVG or Skia backends (including GPU acceleration and HiDPI/scaling). iPlug2 supports CLAP, VST2, VST3, AUv2, AUv3, AAX (Native), Web Audio Module (WAM v1), standalone win32/macOS apps with audio/MIDI I/O, and Reaper extensions. It can compile to WebAssembly via emscripten and targets Windows 8+, macOS 10.13+, iOS 15+, and visionOS 26+. The framework is licensed under a permissive zlib-like license, free for closed-source projects, and is actively maintained with community support via forums and Discord.

Key Features

Abstracts audio plug-in (IPlug) and GUI toolkit (IGraphics)
Supports CLAP, VST2, VST3, AUv2, AUv3, AAX (Native), and Web Audio Module (WAM v1)
Multiple graphics backends: NanoVG and Skia, with GPU acceleration and HiDPI/scaling
Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, visionOS, and WebAssembly via emscripten
Can produce standalone apps with audio/MIDI I/O and Reaper extensions
Liberal zlib-like license, free for closed-source projects
Concurrency improvements and modernized architecture from original iPlug (2008)

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free and open-source with permissive license
  • Supports a wide range of industry-standard plug-in formats
  • Cross-platform with consistent codebase
  • Active community support via forum and Discord
  • Multiple vector graphics backends for flexibility

Best For

Developing audio plug-ins for VST, AU, AAX, CLAP formatsBuilding cross-platform audio applications with custom GUICreating web audio modules using WebAssemblyPrototyping and educational projects in audio DSP