Side by side

Pianoteq vs Voltage Modular

Both stand on virtual instruments. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Pianoteq

Free trial iPhoneLinuxMac+1

Pianoteq offers real-time physical modelling, multiple instrument packs, and desktop host integrations. Its evaluation has limits, and one-time editions differ in pack counts and capabilities.

Visit Pianoteq

Voltage Modular combines patch building, recording, and expandable modules in standalone and plug-in versions. The free trial and plans provide options for exploring the platform, though the trial includes periodic white noise.

Visit Voltage Modular

The facts

	Pianoteq	Voltage Modular
Free plan	A free trial	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows	Mac, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Pianoteq 9 Stage: $139, paid once	Voltage Modular Ignite: $15, paid once
Plans published	4	4
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	modartt.com	cherryaudio.com
On virtual instruments	#11 of 33	#7 of 33

Pianoteq: what it does well

Generates notes in real time without samples.
Offers more than 20 instrument packs.
Can mix up to eight microphones.
Runs standalone and supports VST3, Audio Units, and AAX.
Available for iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

No free plan is available.
Evaluation has eight silent notes.
Evaluation requires a restart every 20 minutes.
Stage and Standard support up to 48 kHz.

Voltage Modular: what it does well

Unlimited cables per jack and patch variations
Records 32-bit floating-point audio files
Standalone and multiple plug-in formats
Free Software and Nucleus plans available

What to know first

Trial periodically plays white noise
Activation requires an account and internet connection
Windows does not list AU or AAX?

Alternatives to Pianoteq Alternatives to Voltage Modular The whole list