AmpForge vs Amplifikation 360

AmpForge is a free, open-source guitar amp simulator plugin that also includes vocal effects. Its pedalboard has 19 internal modules that can be reordered while the plugin is running. The NAM module loads Neural Amp Modeler capture files supplied by the user. Vocal tools include autotune pitch correction and a de-esser for sibilance. AmpForge is available as VST3, LV2, and CLAP plugins, plus a standalone app on supported platforms. It can run in compatible hosts such as Reaper, Carla, and Bitwig. Users can save, update, delete, import, and export custom presets, alongside the included factory presets. Hosts can automate every parameter, including pedal positions. An IR loader is included, but users need to provide cabinet impulse responses and NAM captures. AmpForge supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. The Windows installer offers VST3, CLAP, and LV2, but no standalone executable. The macOS build is not signed or notarized; the README describes a Gatekeeper workaround for installation.

Amplifikation 360 is a modular host for building guitar rigs from Kuassa Amplifikations and Efektor plug-ins. It supports free routing with unlimited devices, plus serial, parallel, and crossover container setups. Live and Toggle modes let users switch sessions or individual modules with a hardware MIDI controller. Other tools include a looper/audio player, chromatic tuner, movable interface panels, and tap tempo that can sync to a DAW master tempo. The app can run standalone or as a VST, VST3, Audio Unit, or AAX plug-in on Windows and macOS. Compatible Amplifikations and Efektor plug-ins a user owns are registered as modules inside it. The free plan includes Amplifikation Lite, Efektor Silencer, Efektor G3607 EQ, seven utility modules, and cab IR loading. Individual compatible plug-ins start at $25 one-time; the Amplifikation 360 Bundle is $299 one-time, with taxes excluded. Amplifikation One modules are not available in the host because they use an older engine architecture. The listed minimums are 64-bit Windows 7 or later, or macOS 10.11 or later, with at least 4 GB RAM. The product page states native Apple Silicon support and macOS notarization with Hardened Runtime.