AmpliTube 5 vs Helix Native

AmpliTube 59.2Visit Helix Native8.7Visit

Higher score AmpliTube 5 #2 in Guitar Amp Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit IK Multimedia

vs

Helix Native #7 in Guitar Amp Software 8.7/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Line 6

• AmpliTube 5 fits best

  Mature all-in-one practice and recording

• Helix Native fits best

  Helix hardware owners needing plugin access

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Side by side

Feature	AmpliTube 5 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Helix Native 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Guitar Amp Software	#7 in Guitar Amp Software
Best for	Mature all-in-one practice and recording	Helix hardware owners needing plugin access
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$99.99 one-time	$99.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	15 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Docs	Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features AmpliTube 5 2/2 · Helix Native 1/2
Standalone app	✓ (best)	—
IR loader	✓	✓
Specs
Amp models	13 models	Not checked yet
Cabinet models	14 models	Not checked yet
Effects count	33 effects	Not checked yet
Plugin formats	Audio Units, VST 3, AAX	AAX, AU, VST3, VST2
Supported platforms	macOS, Windows	macOS, Windows
Our review
Pros	Broad amp, cabinet, effects, room, microphone, and speaker modeling Integrated 8-track recorder, DAW, looper, tuner, and practice tools Standalone and plug-in operation with custom IR and TONEX support	HX amp, cabinet, microphone, and effects models Loads third-party impulse responses and supports cabinet mic positioning AAX, AU, VST3, and VST2 support with DAW automation
Cons	Available only on Windows and macOS The broad feature set may exceed focused practice needs Choosing among gear libraries requires comparing several editions	New licenses are limited to registered Helix and HX hardware owners No standalone app; it runs as a DAW plugin No free plan, with a 15-day trial before purchase
Our verdict	AmpliTube 5 is desktop guitar and bass amp-modeling software for musicians, producers, and recording engineers. It covers amps, cabinets, speakers, microphones, stomp effects, rack effects, and rooms, with standalone operation or DAW… Read the review →	Helix Native is a digital guitar and bass amp-and-effects plugin for musicians, producers, engineers, composers, and other DAW users. It runs on macOS and Windows and provides HX-modeled amplifiers, cabinets, microphones, and effects… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AmpliTube 5 — where it wins

  • Broad amp, cabinet, effects, room, microphone, and speaker modeling
  • Integrated 8-track recorder, DAW, looper, tuner, and practice tools
  • Standalone and plug-in operation with custom IR and TONEX support

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Windows and macOS
  • The broad feature set may exceed focused practice needs
  • Choosing among gear libraries requires comparing several editions

• Helix Native — where it wins

  • HX amp, cabinet, microphone, and effects models
  • Loads third-party impulse responses and supports cabinet mic positioning
  • AAX, AU, VST3, and VST2 support with DAW automation

  Where it doesn't

  • New licenses are limited to registered Helix and HX hardware owners
  • No standalone app; it runs as a DAW plugin
  • No free plan, with a 15-day trial before purchase

• AmpliTube 59.2/10 · Free plan

  A mature all-in-one desktop suite with broad modeling, routing, recording, and practice tools.

  Visit IK MultimediaFull verdict →
• Helix Native8.7/10 · 15-day trial

  A deep HX amp-and-effects plugin for registered Helix and HX hardware owners.

  Visit Line 6Full verdict →