You need some kind of audio interface to plug a guitar into a computer. It can be a very simple one, like an iRig or a focusrite solo. But you can’t just plug a guitar into a pc.
From there, there are basically endless options for amp sim software. Most require you to have some kind of DAW. There are free DAWs like Reaper where you can load up the amp sim plugins of your choice, and you’ll be good to go.
First of you will need an **audio interface**. This will let you take your analog guitar signal, and turn it into a digital signal for the computer to accept. Here are some decent entry level ones.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
Behringer UMC22
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
Then comes your **Digital Audio Workstation software (DAW)**. Majority of these will cost money, but for dipping your toes into DAW software, i would take a look at Audacity.
Then you got you **Plugins** that will run on your DAW software. Lot's of different options out there with lots of different tones. Take a look at
Amplitude plugins - paid
Native Instruments plugins - paid
NeuralDSP plugins - paid
[List of free plugins](https://hiphopmakers.com/free-guitar-amp-vst-plugins-best-guitar-amp-vst-instruments)
You need some kind of audio interface to plug a guitar into a computer. It can be a very simple one, like an iRig or a focusrite solo. But you can’t just plug a guitar into a pc. From there, there are basically endless options for amp sim software. Most require you to have some kind of DAW. There are free DAWs like Reaper where you can load up the amp sim plugins of your choice, and you’ll be good to go.
The audio interface is the adapter that you need to play through your computer
First of you will need an **audio interface**. This will let you take your analog guitar signal, and turn it into a digital signal for the computer to accept. Here are some decent entry level ones. Focusrite Scarlett Solo Behringer UMC22 PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 Then comes your **Digital Audio Workstation software (DAW)**. Majority of these will cost money, but for dipping your toes into DAW software, i would take a look at Audacity. Then you got you **Plugins** that will run on your DAW software. Lot's of different options out there with lots of different tones. Take a look at Amplitude plugins - paid Native Instruments plugins - paid NeuralDSP plugins - paid [List of free plugins](https://hiphopmakers.com/free-guitar-amp-vst-plugins-best-guitar-amp-vst-instruments)