No app to install
A short, readable script checks plugin information without loading or changing your plugins. You don't need administrator rights to create the list.
Are your audio pluginsup to date?
See the versions you have installed, the updates available,
and the newer generations you could upgrade to.
Works on macOS & Windows
PluginDate compares your AAX, AU, VST, VST3 and CLAP plugins with a database updated daily, bringing information from hundreds of developers into one clear overview.
No extra software.
Just one file.
You see what you send
The script saves a CSV (a simple table in a text file) on your Desktop. It sends nothing by itself; you can review the list before uploading it.
Works offline
Run the script on a studio computer without internet access. Move the CSV by USB stick and check it from a computer that is online.
Free for the audio community
PluginDate is an independent, privacy-first web tool for audio engineers, musicians and producers. No account or background app.
Know what needs attention.
One list shows installed versions, known updates and newer generations separately. Here is a small illustration of what you will see.
| Plugin | Installed | Format | Latest in this generation | Status | Newer generation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FabFilterPro-Q 3 | 3.25 | AAX · AU · VST3 | 3.29 | Update available | Pro-Q 4 ↗ |
| FabFilterPro-R | 1.20 | AAX · AU · VST3 | 1.20 | Current | Pro-R 2 ↗ |
| iZotopeRX 11 | 11.3.0 | AU · VST3 | 11.4.0 | Update available | RX 12 ↗ |
Illustrative example with real products and sample installed versions. Your results depend on your plugin list, system and format.
Three steps. Review your list before uploading it.
Run a short script
Choose macOS or Windows. Copy the visible script into Terminal or PowerShell. There is no app to install.
Review the list
The script reads plugin information without loading the plugins. It saves a readable CSV (a simple table in a text file) on your Desktop and sends nothing by itself. You can review the list before uploading it.
See the updates
Drop the file onto PluginDate. Compare installed versions with a database maintained from developer sources.
More useful than a version number.
PluginDate gives you context for the work ahead, whether you are checking one laptop or preparing several rooms for a session.
Open the toolUpdates versus upgrades
See the newest update within the generation you own. A newer product generation is shown separately, so a paid upgrade is not mistaken for a routine update.
Offline Studio Friendly
Your studio computer does not need an internet connection. Run the script there, move the CSV by USB stick and check it on any computer that is online.
Cross-Machine Comparison
Drop up to 10 CSVs at once to spot version mismatches and missing plugins across studio rooms. You can also compare the plugin list from a Pro Tools session export with what is installed on a computer.
FAQ
How do I check if my audio plugins are up to date?
Open Check your plugins, choose macOS or Windows and follow the instructions to run the script. Upload the CSV saved on your Desktop to see installed versions, known updates and links to the developers.
Which plugin formats and systems are supported?
AAX, AU, VST, VST3 and CLAP, where available on macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows. The result also shows plugins that do not run natively on Apple Silicon.
Is it really free? Do I need to install anything?
Yes, it is free, with no installation, no account and no cookies. Unlike plugin managers that run as desktop apps, PluginDate needs only a short script you can read before you run it, and a web browser.
What does the script do – is it safe?
It only reads the names and versions of the plugins in the standard plugin folders and writes them into a CSV file. It does not modify or load your plugins, install an app or send anything by itself. You can open and edit the file before you upload it, and you can ask any AI chat to explain the script line by line.
Which vendors are covered?
Thousands of plugin products, among them Waves, Universal Audio (UAD-2 / Apollo and native UADx), iZotope, FabFilter, Avid and AIR, Plugin Alliance, Native Instruments, Softube, Soundtoys, Slate Digital, Arturia, Eventide, Audio Ease, LiquidSonics, Sonnox, Sound Radix and many smaller developers. The version database is updated every day.
How are new generations and paid upgrades handled?
A new generation such as FabFilter Pro-Q 3 → Pro-Q 4, iZotope RX 10 → RX 11 or Waves V15 → V17 is often a paid upgrade. PluginDate first tells you whether you have the latest update of the generation you own, and separately shows the newer generation as an upgrade option.
Can I compare plugins across studios or check a Pro Tools session?
Yes. Drop several lists (one per computer) to see which plugins or versions differ between your rooms. Drop a list together with a Pro Tools session exported as text (File → Export → Session Info as Text) to compare its plugin requirements with what is installed on that computer. This checks plugin availability and versions, not every dependency needed to open a session.
What if a plugin is missing or a result looks wrong?
Unrecognised plugins are reviewed in the next daily run. If something appears to be wrong, send a short message using the form above – every report helps.
About & privacy
A free service for audio engineers, musicians and studio managers. Matching runs on the server; the version database is updated daily from public sources and vendor pages.
For the version database: plugin name, vendor, version, format, architecture, plugin ID and system version (anonymous, de-duplicated). From a Pro Tools session only its plugin list is sent and used for that one check. We keep basic activity logs for 90 days, including your IP address, access time, country, and the plugin list you upload. This data is used only by PluginDate to run and improve the service. We never share or sell it. No cookies.
E-mail addresses are stored only when you subscribe or send a message, only for that purpose, and are never shared.