Plugin comparison

AmpliTube 5 vs Blue Cat Free Amp 2.0

Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.

Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal

Contenders

The side-by-side

Effect / IK Multimedia

AmpliTube 5

$99.99

8.2Great

AmpliTube 5 is IK Multimedia's guitar and bass amp/effects modeling software for recording and live use, available as plugin and standalone.

Technical matrix

Specs compared

SignalAmpliTube 5Blue Cat Free Amp 2.0
Price$99.99Free
Dubspot Score8.2—
FormatsVST 3, Audio Units (AU, Mac), AAX, StandaloneVST, VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone
Gear models (full AmpliTube 5)183 models—
Gear models (AmpliTube 5 MAX)435 models (111 STOMP, 111 AMP, 106 CAB, 33 SPEAKER, 18 MIC, 48 RACK, 8 ROOM)—
Platform supportmacOS 10.15+ (M1/Intel) and Windows 10 64-bit or newer—
RAM required8 GB—
Disk space3 GB—
Type—Free guitar and bass amp simulation
Version—2.0, released 2 October 2026
Amp models—Classic clean, classic drive, modern drive, classic bass
Engine—Destructor V2
Reverb—Built in, one per amp model
Impulse responses—Custom IR loading for cabinets and reverb
MIDI—Notes, pitch bend, NRPN, 14 bit CCs, aftertouch
Formats—VST, VST3, AU, AAX, standalone
macOS—10.9 or later, Intel or Apple silicon
Windows—Vista, 7, 8, 10, 11, SSE2 CPU
Price—Free, no registration

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