Splice has become the default sample library for producers. But with rising prices and more competition, is it still the best way to stock your sample library?
TL;DR
Splice remains the best sample subscription service thanks to its credit system, enormous library, and excellent search. At £8-15/month it's good value for active producers. The main competition — LANDR Samples and Loopcloud — offer different strengths but neither matches Splice's library depth.
What Splice Offers in 2025
Splice's core offering is simple: pay a monthly subscription (starting at about £8/month for 100 credits), browse their library of millions of samples, and download individual sounds using credits. Unused credits roll over month to month, so you're never pressured to download for the sake of it.
The library is staggering in scope. Every genre, every instrument type, every production style is represented. Major artist sample packs (from producers like KSHMR, Disclosure, and SOPHIE) sit alongside genre-specific collections and utility packs. The quality is consistently high because Splice curates what enters their library.
Beyond samples, Splice offers rent-to-own plugin plans, allowing you to pay monthly toward owning premium plugins from Serum to Arturia V Collection. This financing model has made expensive plugins accessible to producers who can't afford large upfront costs.
The Search and Discovery Experience
Splice's search is its secret weapon. You can filter by key, BPM, genre, instrument, and mood — and the results are actually useful. Looking for a 128 BPM minor key vocal chop in the style of UK garage? Splice will find it. This specificity saves enormous time compared to browsing generic sample packs.
The AI-powered 'Similar Sounds' feature helps you find variations on a sample you like. Found a snare that's almost right? Click 'Similar' and browse alternatives with comparable tonal qualities. This workflow accelerates production and helps you find the perfect sound faster.
The preview functionality lets you audition samples in your browser at your project's BPM, which avoids the classic sample pack problem of downloading hundreds of sounds only to use three. You know what you're getting before you spend a credit.
The Competition: LANDR Samples and Loopcloud
LANDR Samples offers a similar subscription model with competitive pricing and a growing library. Their integration with LANDR's mastering and distribution services creates an appealing ecosystem for artists who use multiple LANDR products. However, their library is smaller and search capabilities less refined than Splice.
Loopcloud by Loopmasters takes a different approach: a standalone application that integrates with your DAW, letting you preview and drag samples directly into your project. Their library is excellent for electronic and dance music, and the DAW integration is genuinely useful. But the subscription is slightly more expensive and the genre range narrower.
For producers working primarily in electronic music, Loopcloud's workflow integration is compelling. For everyone else, Splice's library breadth and search quality give it the edge. Many producers use both, with Splice as their primary library and a genre-specific competitor for niche needs.
Is It Worth the Money?
For producers who use samples regularly — beat-makers, electronic producers, pop writers — Splice is unquestionably worth it. The cost per sample works out to about 8-15p depending on your plan, which is dramatically cheaper than buying individual sample packs at £15-30 each.
For producers who rarely use samples — singer-songwriters, live band recording, acoustic music — the subscription isn't necessary. Occasional sample needs can be met by free sample packs or one-off purchases from sites like Freesound.
The rent-to-own plugin feature adds value if you're planning to buy expensive plugins anyway. Paying £10/month toward Serum rather than £150 upfront makes premium tools accessible, and you own the plugin outright once you've paid the full amount.
Our Verdict
Splice remains the best sample subscription service in 2025. The library depth, search quality, credit flexibility, and consistent sample quality justify the subscription for any producer who regularly uses samples in their work.
Start with the lowest tier (100 credits/month) and upgrade if you find yourself running out. Credits roll over, so there's no penalty for low-usage months. And explore the curated collections and artist packs — they're consistently excellent and provide creative inspiration alongside raw material.
The rent-to-own plugin plans are a bonus worth exploring separately. If you've been eyeing Serum, Arturia, or other premium plugins, Splice's financing makes them accessible without the budget shock. It's not the cheapest way to buy plugins (you pay slightly more than outright purchase over time), but the cash flow flexibility is genuinely helpful for independent producers.