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What is the difference between an FL plugin and a VST or AU plugin
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Plugins are self contained programs that can function as Instruments or Effect add-ons 'plugins' to host programs like FL Studio.

 

VST and AU plugins can be used across many different DAW hosts, not just FL Studio. 

 

While we support VST and AU plugins in FL Studio, we also develop plugins under our own 'native' FL Studio format that gives us maximum flexibility to unlock host-plugin interactions, performance and stability. The flipside is that these plugins are not compatible with other hosts. THEY ONLY WORK IN FL STUDIO.

 

The summary of possible plugin formats is as follows:

 

  1. FL plugin -> Only works in FL Studio
  2. VST plugin -> Works in all VST host programs.
  3. AU plugin  -> Works on Mac OS X.
  4. Stand Alone  -> The plugin runs inside a self-contained host-wrapper.

 

Buying FL Studio Producer or Signature Bundle gives you the FL Studio native format plugins (option 1 above).


Buying plugins separately gives you the FL plugin version to use in FL Studio.

 

Note. FL Studio itself can be loaded as a plugin in other DAWs / hosts as an AU or VST format plugin. This allows you to use the FL format instrument plugins inside FL Studio, inside another DAW. 

 

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