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Helvum vs Carla: catalog facts
Helvum	Carla
Free Free and open source under the GPL 3.	Free Free to download; the project accepts donations.
Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Visual graph of PipeWire nodes and links Connect streams by dragging	Supports many plugin formats plus SF2 and SFZ files Rack and patchbay modes as well as JACK multi-client
Only works with PipeWire Linux only	Built around JACK, which has a learning curve Rack mode does not support plugins with non-stereo channels
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0-only	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.