VST 3 License
On this page:
Related pages:
- Steinberg VST usage guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions: Licensing
- External links:
VST 3 License
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Since version 3.8, VST 3 is licensed under MIT license.
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Developers can adopt the MIT license for full open-source integration.
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Neither fees nor memberships are required.
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The license never expires.
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Code licensed under MIT license can be used, modified, and redistributed freely — including in commercial products — provided MIT license terms are followed.
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Note: Licensing under GPLv3 and the Steinberg proprietary license is no longer available.
Trademark and Logo Usage
Trademark usage (e.g. "VST" name or logo) is optional under MIT license, but if used, must comply with Steinberg's official trademark rules.
If you choose to display the VST trademark and/or VST Compatible Logo, you must observe the Steinberg VST usage guidelines.
Purpose: To assist Steinberg in enforcing and protecting the VST trademark in international jurisdictions.
Notes for Developers
- The Steinberg VST usage guidelines are included in the SDK.
- Use of branding is not required under MIT license, but if you choose to use it, trademark compliance is mandatory.
- Non-compliance with logo guidelines does not affect your MIT rights (but may result in trademark violations).
Best Practice Recommendation
Although optional, we encourage developers using VST under MIT license to follow the Steinberg VST usage guidelines. It fosters ecosystem-wide recognition, improves end-user trust, and supports the long-term visibility of the VST brand.
Steinberg VST 3 MIT License file
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIT License
Copyright (c) 2025, Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ⓘ Note
VST 2 API source code is NOT part of this VST 3 license! (See here for more info)