Splice revolutionised sample packs with its credit-based model. Five years on, we assess whether it's still the best option for producers in an increasingly crowded market.
TL;DR
Splice Sounds remains the industry standard for sample subscriptions, but rising competition from Loopcloud, LANDR, and free alternatives means producers have more choice than ever. It's still excellent — but no longer the only game in town.
What Splice Offers in 2025
Splice Sounds operates on a credit-based subscription model. You pay monthly (plans start at around £7.99/month for 100 credits), and you spend credits to download individual samples, loops, one-shots, and presets from a library of over 10 million sounds.
The key innovation hasn't changed: you download individual sounds, not entire packs. No more buying a 500-sample pack for three usable hi-hats. Every credit goes toward a sound you actually want.
In 2025, Splice has expanded significantly. The library now includes AI-powered sample search, key and BPM filtering, integration with major DAWs, and a growing collection of MIDI files and presets for popular synths. The Splice Creator plan also bundles rent-to-own plugins, making it a more comprehensive production toolkit.
The Sound Library
This is where Splice continues to dominate. The breadth and quality of the library is genuinely staggering.
You'll find packs from industry heavyweights like KSHMR, Deadmau5, and Oliver. You'll find genre-specific collections covering everything from UK garage to Afrobeats to ambient soundscapes. And you'll find thousands of packs from smaller, independent sound designers who bring genuinely unique material.
The search and filtering tools have improved dramatically. You can now search by key, BPM, mood, and instrument type, and the AI-powered similarity search lets you find sounds that match a reference you upload. For producers who know what they're looking for, this is a massive time-saver.
The quality floor is high. Splice curates what makes it onto the platform, so you're rarely wading through unusable material. That said, with 10 million+ sounds, the sheer volume can be overwhelming for newer producers.
The Competition
When Splice launched, it was essentially the only option for credit-based sample subscriptions. That's no longer the case.
Loopcloud (by Loopmasters) offers a similar model with strong DAW integration and a growing library. LANDR Samples bundles samples with mastering and distribution. Output's Arcade offers loop-based instruments rather than raw samples. And free platforms like Freesound and Bedroom Producers Blog provide surprisingly high-quality material at no cost.
Each has its strengths. Loopcloud's DAW plugin is arguably better than Splice's for auditioning sounds in context. Arcade's approach suits producers who want playable instruments rather than static samples. And the free options are, well, free.
But none match Splice's library size, artist roster, or search capabilities. If you want the widest selection and the biggest names, Splice is still the answer.
Pricing and Value
Splice's pricing is fair but has crept upward over the years. The Sounds+ plan at £13.99/month gives you 200 credits and includes some rent-to-own plugin access. The Creator plan at around £19.99/month adds more credits and full rent-to-own access.
Credits roll over if unused, which is generous. And downloaded samples are yours forever, even if you cancel — a crucial detail that some competitors don't match.
The rent-to-own plugin programme deserves special mention. Being able to pay for plugins like Serum, Arturia's V Collection, or Output's instruments in monthly instalments (with no interest and full ownership at the end) is genuinely excellent value. For many producers, this alone justifies the subscription.
Is it worth it? If you produce regularly and use samples in your workflow, absolutely. Even at the basic tier, 100 high-quality samples per month for under £8 is hard to argue with. If you barely produce, the free alternatives will serve you fine.
The Verdict
Splice Sounds in 2025 is a mature, polished platform that does exactly what it promises. The library is enormous, the quality is consistently high, the search tools are excellent, and the rent-to-own programme adds genuine value.
It's no longer revolutionary — the model it pioneered is now industry standard. But being the best version of the thing you invented is nothing to sniff at.
For working producers, Splice remains essential. For hobbyists, the basic tier offers excellent value. For those who prefer curated, playable instruments over raw samples, Arcade might suit better. And for the budget-conscious, the free alternatives are better than ever.
But if we're recommending one sample subscription in 2025, it's still Splice. The depth of the library is simply unmatched.
Rating: 4.3 out of 5