Comparison
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 vs TDR Nova: is the paid EQ worth it?
The question Should I buy FabFilter Pro-Q 4 or use the free TDR Nova?
Short answer
Both are dynamic EQs. The free TDR Nova covers the core use case with four dynamic bands plus filters, and runs on Linux as well as macOS and Windows.
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is worth paying for if you need more than four dynamic bands, linear or Natural Phase modes, spectral dynamics, per-band mid/side, or immersive (Dolby Atmos) support.
The documented differences
| FabFilter Pro-Q 4 | TDR Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free |
| Plug-in formats | VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX, AudioSuite | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
| macOS | macOS 10.13 or later, 64-bit only, Apple Silicon or Intel; requires an AU, VST 2/3 or CLAP host, or Pro Tools | Mac OS X 10.9 or higher |
| Windows | Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 or Vista, 64-bit or 32-bit; requires a VST 2/3 or CLAP host, or Pro Tools | Windows Vista or higher |
| Linux | Not supported or not listed | x86-64 with GLIBC 2.14 or higher |
| Maximum bands (Pro-Q 4) | 24 | – |
| Dynamic bands (Nova) | – | 4 |
| Phase modes | Zero latency, Linear phase, Natural Phase | – |
| Per-band mid/sideEditorial | Yes | Not documented on the product page |
| Facts last verified | 21 October 2026 | 21 October 2026 |
When TDR Nova is enough
If your dynamic EQ needs are a few targeted moves per track, such as softening a resonant bass note or a harsh synth frequency, four dynamic bands are usually sufficient. Nova is free, so there is no cost to finding out.[1][2]
Nova is also the only one of the two with a documented Linux build.[1][3]
When Pro-Q 4 earns its price
- You need many bands on a single instance (up to 24), for example on a busy mix bus.
- You need phase-mode choice: zero latency for live use, linear phase or Natural Phase for mastering-style work.
- You want per-band mid/side processing.
- You use EQ Match to compare against a reference, or the Instance list to manage EQ across a large session.
- You mix in immersive formats up to 9.1.6.[3]