Is Output Arcade Still Worth It in 2025? An Honest Review
Output Arcade first hit the scene as a game-changer in the music production world, offering a fresh approach to loop-based creativity. Unlike traditional sample packs or virtual instruments, Arcade combines a growing library of curated sounds with an intuitive interface designed for instant playability. Its subscription model was a bold move, providing access to over 60 product lines, 4,400 samplers, 1,300 chromatic instruments, and 80,000 samples, with new content added daily. For many, it struck the perfect balance between accessibility and creative potential, bridging the gap between inspiration and execution. By focusing on loops and playable kits, Arcade carved out a niche that catered to both seasoned producers and beginners alike. Fast forward to today, and the question arises: does Arcade still deliver, or has its groundbreaking edge faded? With newer tools flooding the market—many adopting similar subscription models or emphasizing real-time sound manipulation—Arcade now faces tough competition. In this review, we’ll explore how Arcade stacks up in 2025, from its strengths to its limitations, to help you decide whether it’s still a must-have tool for your music production arsenal.
Latest Update: Output has launched a new subscription bundle called Output One, which includes Arcade plus other flagship plugins like Portal, Movement, and Thermal under one plan. Also in 2025, Arcade’s library continues to grow: it now offers 55+ Line Packs and expanded kits (especially in existing Lines like Hooked, Aura, etc.).
Is Output Arcade Still Worth It in 2025? An Honest Review
Key Features and Strengths: Arcade’s Unique Spin on Pro Audio Tools
Customization and Creative Flexibility: Making Arcade Your Own
Learning Curve and Support: Getting the Most Out of Arcade
What Could Be Improved: Subscription Model and Workflow Limitations
Alternatives to Consider: How Arcade Stands Out in a Competitive Landscape
Is Output Arcade Any Good
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means Internet Tattoo may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.
Key Features and Strengths: Arcade’s Unique Spin on Pro Audio Tools
Arcade by Output stands out in a crowded market with its loop-based workflow and ever-expanding sound library, offering a unique blend of accessibility and inspiration. Unlike virtual instruments requiring meticulous sound design or MIDI programming, Arcade lets you dive into curated kits, manipulate loops in real time, and layer sounds effortlessly. Whether crafting beats for a club anthem, scoring a film, or building ambient soundscapes, its adaptability makes it a favorite for producers of all skill levels.
Compared to industry staples like Native Instruments Komplete or Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Arcade takes a different approach. While tools like Omnisphere excel at deep sound engines and intricate customization, Arcade focuses on jumpstarting ideas with polished loops and kits. Its subscription model ensures fresh content, contrasting with the static nature of one-time-purchase plugins. This makes Arcade more of a creative complement than a direct competitor to traditional VSTs.
As of 2025, Arcade’s library now features over 55 Line Packs spanning modern genres like UK Garage, Latin Drill, and Hyperpop Essentials, alongside updated favorites like Hooked and Aura. These expansions keep Arcade’s sound content current and genre-relevant, while subtle workflow improvements—including faster kit loading and refined browsing—make the creative process smoother than ever. It’s clear that Output is still investing heavily in keeping Arcade fresh and competitive in today’s fast-evolving production landscape.
Customization and Creative Flexibility: Making Arcade Your Own
Arcade isn’t just about pre-made loops—it’s about customization. Tools for tweaking pitch, applying time-stretch, and layering effects let you transform loops into something uniquely yours. For producers who love turning snippets into signature sounds, Arcade’s real-time controls open up endless possibilities. Features like modifiers and macro sliders ensure that even stock loops can take on a personalized feel.
A standout feature is Arcade’s ability to import your own samples, effectively transforming it into a custom loop machine. Drag and drop audio files into the interface, process them with Arcade’s intuitive effects, and build personalized kits. Whether it’s a field recording, a drum loop, or a vocal chop, this feature makes Arcade as personal as it is versatile. For those who love blending external sounds with curated kits, this functionality is invaluable.
Arcade also excels in its ability to integrate into various workflows. From layering loops with modular synths to creating lush backdrops for cinematic projects, Arcade adapts effortlessly. It’s as versatile as you need it to be, capable of being a quick idea generator or a central component of your composition. This flexibility ensures that no matter your style or genre, Arcade can inspire and enhance your production process.
Learning Curve and Support: Getting the Most Out of Arcade
Arcade’s clean interface and drag-and-drop simplicity make it inviting for beginners, but digging deeper reveals hidden layers of functionality. Advanced features like custom sample importing and intricate sound manipulation might overwhelm new users at first, but they also provide room for growth. As you explore, you’ll discover new ways to tweak, modify, and enhance loops, making Arcade a tool that evolves alongside your skills.
To make this process easier, Output provides extensive learning resources, including video tutorials, written guides, and in-app tips. These resources are invaluable for users who want to fully unlock Arcade’s potential. Additionally, Output’s responsive support team ensures that any roadblocks you encounter are quickly resolved. For an industry where customer support can sometimes feel like an afterthought, this level of assistance is a major plus.
Experimentation is at the heart of Arcade’s appeal. The interface encourages users to click around, tweak sliders, and play with effects, often leading to unexpected creative breakthroughs. While there’s a learning curve to mastering all its features, the process feels less like a chore and more like discovering new ways to make music. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, Arcade rewards curiosity and exploration.
What Could Be Improved: Subscription Model and Workflow Limitations
Arcade’s subscription model is both a strength and a potential drawback. While it ensures users have access to fresh content, the recurring cost might deter hobbyists or those who prefer to own their tools outright. In 2025, Output launched a new tiered plan called Output One, which bundles Arcade, Portal, Thermal, and Movement into a single subscription. It’s a compelling offer for producers who already use multiple Output plugins, but it also signals a shift toward a more unified—and potentially more expensive—ecosystem.
Another limitation remains its reliance on an internet connection for downloading new content. While downloaded kits can be accessed offline, the inability to browse or grab new sounds without connectivity can disrupt workflows. For on-the-go producers or those in less reliable environments, this can still be a frustrating limitation. A more robust offline mode would make Arcade even more versatile.
Lastly, Arcade isn’t designed for crafting sounds from scratch like Serum or Omnisphere. Its focus on delivering polished, ready-to-use loops makes it an excellent creative enhancer but not a replacement for traditional sound design tools. Setting the right expectations for its role in a production workflow is key to appreciating its strengths.
Alternatives to Consider: How Arcade Stands Out in a Competitive Landscape
Arcade operates in a vibrant ecosystem filled with tools designed to inspire creativity. One of its closest competitors is Splice’s loop library, which still dominates the pay-per-sample model. However, Splice’s workflow leans toward individual sample browsing, while Arcade’s curated Line Packs and real-time manipulation tools make it feel more like an instrument than a file bank. It’s the difference between building from bricks and playing with sculpted clay — both creative, but very different experiences.
As of 2025, new contenders like Loopcloud, UAD Spark, and Reason+ have joined the subscription race, bundling instruments, effects, and curated sounds under unified plans. Yet Arcade continues to hold its edge through its hands-on playability, polished interface, and growing library of 55+ genre-focused Lines that evolve with modern trends. Whether you’re after UK Garage textures, Hyperpop drums, or cinematic atmospheres, the constant refresh keeps it feeling current.
Output also expanded its ecosystem this year with Output One, a new subscription tier that combines Arcade, Portal, Thermal, and Movement into a single plan. For producers already invested in Output’s workflow, this bundle makes Arcade even more valuable — effectively turning it from a standalone plugin into a hub within a larger creative suite. For everyone else, Arcade still works perfectly as a lightweight, standalone source of inspiration that integrates easily into any setup.
So… Is Output Arcade Still Worth it?
What’S the verdict? Is Output Arcade any good in 2025? Absolutely — and in some ways, it’s better than ever. The library has grown to include over 55 Line Packs, the interface has been refined for faster loading and smoother browsing, and the introduction of Output One shows Output’s long-term commitment to the platform. Arcade’s biggest strength remains its ability to turn inspiration into action in seconds — something few other tools replicate this well.
What’s most impressive is how Arcade has aged. Instead of chasing gimmicks or adding unnecessary complexity, Output doubled down on what made Arcade special in the first place: curated, playable sound design that bridges the gap between samples and instruments. The result is a tool that still feels fresh, relevant, and creatively satisfying in 2025.
Whether you’re revisiting Arcade or discovering it for the first time, it continues to be one of the most inspiring, friction-free ways to start making music today — especially if your workflow thrives on quick ideas, polished sounds, and instant creativity. The subscription model may not appeal to everyone, but for what it offers, Arcade remains one of the best values in modern music production.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means Internet Tattoo may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.
This post was last updated on October 2025.