The industry-standard sampler and library format. Here are 4 genuinely free options, ranked by how close they get.
Free player for free and licensed ('Player') libraries. Can't open most third-party non-Player libraries or edit instruments.
Large and growing free library scene. Much simpler than Kontakt and not compatible with it.
Plays open SFZ instruments. No editing interface; you edit text files.
A real sampler for building your own instruments. No Kontakt library compatibility.
Other paid plugins in this category.
New free plugins, the best $0 swap for something you were about to buy, and the odd giveaway we've checked is real. Every other Friday.