Sample Focus vs LANDR: Which Sample Library Is Actually Better?

On one side, you have Sample Focus, a sprawling library of free, one-off sounds for producers on a hunt. On the other, there's LANDR, an all-in-one subscription that bundles samples with mastering, distribution, and a whole lot more. Both promise to fill the gaps in your sound palette, but which one actually fits into a real-world production workflow?

In this breakdown, we’ll put them head-to-head. We’re digging into their core features, pricing models, and the specific problems each platform solves to help you figure out which service deserves a spot in your browser bookmarks.

But before we dive in, it's worth mentioning a third path. Here at Output, we build tools that live inside your DAW—like our ever-growing sample instrument Arcade and the AI-powered Co-Producer. Instead of just handing you sounds, we build systems that help you find and shape them without ever breaking your flow.

A Quick Overview on Sample Focus and LANDR

What is Sample Focus?

Sample Focus is a community-fed library for one-shot samples and loops. Its main draw is a no-frills, free-for-all approach that lets users both grab and contribute sounds across a wide spectrum of genres. The platform is built around a straightforward search, helping you find a specific kick or vocal chop without much fuss.

What is LANDR?

LANDR is a subscription service that bundles a bunch of tools producers usually pay for separately. It combines AI mastering, distribution to streaming platforms, and a sample library into one package. The idea is to give you an end-to-end workflow, from finishing a track to getting it out into the world.

Features of Sample Focus and LANDR

Sample Focus Features

Sample Focus centers its experience on a straightforward, browser-based approach to finding one-off sounds. Here’s what it offers:

• Community-Sourced Library: The platform’s content is largely supplied by its user base, which means the library is constantly expanding with sounds from other producers.

• Genre and Tag Filtering: You can browse a wide range of genres—from mainstream Trap and House to niche styles like Phonk and Jersey Club—and filter sounds with descriptive tags like “dark,” “loop,” or “aggressive.”

• Detailed Sample Info: Every sound comes with key metadata, including tempo (BPM), musical key, and duration, helping you find files that fit your project without guesswork.

• Curated Collections: It groups related sounds into themed packs, such as “Vintage Kick Shots” or “Guitar Pack,” for times when you need a cohesive set of samples.

• Instant Previews: An embedded audio player lets you audition every sample directly on the site before committing to a download.

LANDR Features

LANDR rolls several production and release tools into a single subscription. Here’s a look at what’s inside:

• AI-Powered Mastering: An automated mastering engine that runs as a plugin inside your DAW, on their website, or through a mobile app.

• Music Distribution: Unlimited distribution to over 150 streaming platforms. Your music stays online even if you cancel your subscription.

• Sample Library: Access to a library of over 3 million royalty-free samples and exclusive packs.

• Plugin Suite: A collection of more than 40 instrument and effects plugins, including a tool for separating stems.

• Collaboration Tools: A video chat platform designed for remote sessions that streams high-quality audio directly from your DAW.

Why Choose One Over The Other?

• Consider Sample Focus when you just need a specific sound without the commitment. It’s a free, no-frills library for grabbing a particular loop or one-shot, unlike LANDR, which bundles its samples into a paid subscription with mastering and distribution services you might not need.

• Try LANDR if you’re looking for an all-in-one system to finish and release your music. It combines a sample library with AI mastering, distribution, and plugins, providing an end-to-end solution that Sample Focus, being just a sample site, doesn't offer.

Output: A Better Alternative to Sample Focus And LANDR

While Sample Focus gives you raw ingredients and LANDR offers a full-course meal deal, we at Output build tools that become part of your kitchen. Our instruments and effects live directly in your DAW, designed to spark ideas and shape sounds without ever pulling you out of your creative zone.

What is Output?

Here’s a look at how our tools are built to integrate directly into your music-making process:

• A playable sample library that’s also an instrument. With Arcade, you get a constantly growing cloud of sounds that automatically sync to your project’s key and tempo, all playable from a 15-pad interface.

• AI that actually helps you write. Our Co-Producer plugin listens to your track and suggests fitting sounds from our library, turning a search into a conversation.

• A suite of FX plugins built for sound design. Tools like Portal aren't just for mixing; they're for completely transforming audio into something new.

• A tightly integrated ecosystem. All our tools are designed to work together, so you can find a sound with Co-Producer and instantly start manipulating it in Arcade without missing a beat.

So, the choice isn't just about where you get your sounds. It's about how you want to work. If you're looking for a static library of files, Sample Focus has you covered. If you need a bundle of separate services for finishing and releasing tracks, LANDR is an option. But if you want tools that integrate directly into your process, helping you find and shape sound from within your DAW, that’s where we come in.

‍

Pricing of Sample Focus vs LANDR

Sample Focus Pricing

Sample Focus keeps things straightforward with a credit-based system. Everyone gets a few free download credits each week, which is useful if you just need a specific snare or vocal chop to finish a track. You can also earn more credits by uploading your own sounds or referring other producers to the platform.

If you find yourself constantly hitting the download limit, they offer paid monthly and yearly subscriptions. These plans essentially just top up your credit balance so you can grab more sounds. It’s less of a feature-gated service and more of a way to buy downloads in bulk. Any credits you don't use simply roll over to the next month.

LANDR Pricing

LANDR’s pricing is built around a subscription model that bundles its various services. Instead of buying tools à la carte, you pick a tier that packages mastering, distribution, and samples together.

Their main offering is the LANDR Studio plan, which comes in three flavors:

• Essentials: For $8.25 per month, you get unlimited distribution, 100 sample credits, and a few WAV masters. It’s the entry point to their all-in-one system.

• Standard: For a few dollars more, the Standard plan at $11.99 bumps your monthly sample credits up to 150. Other core features remain the same.

• Pro: At $24.99, the Pro plan unlocks unlimited WAV mastering—the main draw for anyone finishing a lot of tracks—and increases sample credits to 200.

If you don't need the whole package and are just focused on getting your music out, they also offer standalone distribution plans:

• Basic Distribution: For $2.99 a month, you get unlimited releases while keeping 100% of your royalties.

• Pro Distribution: The $4.99 Pro version adds priority support and better analytics for producers who need a closer eye on their streaming data.

Output Pricing

At Output, we keep our pricing simple and focused on getting powerful tools into your workflow. We offer a mix of subscription and perpetual license options, so you can choose what works best for you.

Our all-in-one subscription is Output One. For $14.99 a month (or $119.99 a year), you get our entire software suite: the Arcade sample engine, the Co-Producer AI plugin, and all our FX plugins like Portal, Thermal, and Movement. It’s the most straightforward way to access our whole ecosystem.

If you prefer to subscribe to tools individually, Arcade is available for $12.99 per month, and Co-Producer is $9.99 per month.

We believe you should try tools before you commit. That’s why Arcade comes with a free 7-day trial so you can test it in your own projects. If you’re already an Arcade subscriber, you can try Co-Producer free for 60 days.

For producers who would rather own their software, our FX plugins and Kontakt instruments like Exhale and Signal are available as one-time purchases.

Sample Focus, LANDR, or Output: Which is The Best Sample Library for You?

Choosing between Sample Focus and LANDR really comes down to your immediate needs—a quick, free sound or a bundled service package. But if your goal is to find and shape sounds without ever leaving your project, our tools are built to live right inside your DAW. We think it's a better way to work, and you can try our entire suite for free to see for yourself.

Happy creating!