AmpForge vs Guitarix

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.

Guitarix is free software that acts as a virtual guitar amplifier on Linux through the JACK Audio Connection Kit. Mono sound-card input passes through a main amplifier and rack section, which can be routed separately for stereo output via JACK. The rack contains more than 25 effect modules, including noise gate, flanger, phaser, and auto-wah. LADSPA and LV2 plugins can be added, and Guitarix is also available as an LV2 plugin suite for loading amps and plugins in a digital audio workstation. The project names Ardour and supports connection to Rackarrack or another JACK-aware host. It can process synths and other sound generators as well as guitar. The maker says a properly configured Linux system can process signals in no more than 10 ms. Guitarix is standalone software with an IR loader, licensed under GNU GPL version 2. It is listed for Linux and macOS; source can be built for BSD and MacOSX.