Side by side
Gjalla vs Soundshed Guitar
Both stand on guitar amp software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Pick Gjalla if you want an open-source amp simulator with raw-style pedal voicings, cabinet options, and impulse response loading. It is available at no cost, but getting started currently requires building from source or waiting for a packaged release.
Visit Gjalla
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Pick Soundshed Guitar if you want a free guitar and bass effects app with standalone and DAW use, flexible routing, cabinet simulation, and built-in practice tools. Check the listed operating system and hardware requirements against your computer before getting started.
Visit Soundshed GuitarThe facts
| Gjalla | Soundshed Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sognevo.com | guitar.soundshed.com |
| On guitar amp software | #8 of 35 | #12 of 35 |
Gjalla: what it does well
- Free and licensed under GPLv3 or later.
- Available as VST3, CLAP, macOS AU, and standalone builds.
- Includes three pedal voicings and three cabinet voicings.
- Loads WAV or AIFF impulse responses up to two seconds.
- No telemetry, network access, update checks, or accounts.
What to know first
- There is no packaged release yet.
- Building requires Git, CMake 3.22 or later, and a C++20 compiler.
- AU and standalone builds vary by operating system.
Soundshed Guitar: what it does well
- Free plan requires no licensing, paywall, or extra purchases.
- Runs as a standalone app or through VST3, AU, and CLAP.
- Supports arbitrary effect ordering, parallel paths, and graph-based routing.
- Load and blend custom impulse response cabinets.
- Includes tuner, metronome, backing tracks, and quick riff capture.
What to know first
- Windows requires x64 with AVX2.
- Listed macOS minimum is version 11.
- Requires at least 4GB RAM and 500MB disk space.
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