Best Guitar Amp Software in 2026
Updated
In short: GENOME is ranked #1 of 24 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Helix Stadium Native and Amped. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Helix Stadium Native. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Amp Locker at $5/mo.
Guitar amp software gives you a way to build and shape guitar tones with virtual amps, cabinets and effects. Compared on amp models, cabinet models, effects count, IR loading and available formats, the entries show different options for playing and recording. Check whether a standalone app or plugin formats fit your setup, and weigh supported platforms, free plans and paid starting prices. GENOME and Helix Stadium Native are at the top, followed by Amped; AIDA-X is also among the first entries. Use the listed capabilities and costs to compare what suits your workflow.
24 guitar amp software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 GENOME Top pick · 7.8 Free plan · Free #2 Helix Stadium Native Runner-up · 7.7 Free plan · Free
#3 Amped Also great · 7.6 Free plan · Free- Free planFree trial iOSmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Amp models
- 24 models
- Cabinet models
- 16 models
- Effects count
- 65 effects
- Plugin formats
- VST3, AU, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free planFree trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 99.99 one-time
- Amp models
- 132 models
- Cabinet models
- 46 models
- Effects count
- 274 effects
- Plugin formats
- AAX, AU, VST3
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free planFree trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Amp models
- 2 models
- Cabinet models
- 3 models
- Effects count
- 6 effects
- Plugin formats
- VST3, AU, AAX (Mac)
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Amp models
- 111 models
- Effects count
- 74 effects
- Plugin formats
- AU, VST3, RTAS, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$5/mofirst paid tier About Amp LockerVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST3, AudioUnit, LV2
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 25 one-time
- Plugin formats
- VST, VST3, Audio Unit, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 99.99 one-time
- Amp models
- 13 models
- Cabinet models
- 14 models
- Effects count
- 33 effects
- Plugin formats
- Audio Units, VST 3, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- CLAP, LV2, VST2, VST3
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 199 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$39/mofirst paid tier About MASCHINEVisit site - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 59.95 one-time
- Amp models
- 5 models
- Cabinet models
- 16 models
- Effects count
- 13 effects
- Plugin formats
- VST3, AU, AAX, Studio One Native Effects
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Amp models
- 1 models
- Cabinet models
- 1 models
- Effects count
- 9 effects
- Plugin formats
- VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free trial iOSmacOSWindows
- Amp models
- 16 models
- Cabinet models
- 15 models
- Effects count
- 16 effects
- Plugin formats
- AudioUnit, VST, AAX64
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST3, LV2, CLAP
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST, VST3, AAX, Audio Unit
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST3, CLAP, AU
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, standalone
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 99 one-time
- Amp models
- 3 models
- Cabinet models
- 5 models
- Plugin formats
- AU, VST, VST3, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 149 one-time
- Amp models
- 33 models
- Cabinet models
- 25 models
- Effects count
- 63 effects
- Plugin formats
- AU, VST3, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST3, LV2
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST3, CLAP
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 99.99 one-time
- Plugin formats
- AAX, AU, VST3, VST2
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - iOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Plugin formats
- VST3, AU, AAX
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plugin formats
- VST 2
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which guitar amp software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
GENOME is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 7.8. Helix Stadium Native is second and Amped third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 24 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Amp Locker has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.