# Autoharp

> Realistic autoharp simulator with effects and MIDI controller functionality. (iPhone/iPad app by Arlo Leach.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoharp/id366274361 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Arlo Leach](https://appshunter.io/developer/353281976)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $1.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 56 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-05-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoharp/id366274361/reviews.md

## What is Autoharp?

This app works like a real autoharp: just push one of the chord buttons and strum! Autoharp uses high-quality audio samples and matches its volume to your strumming speed for the most realistic sound available.

If you want to expand your sonic palette, Autoharp includes built-in chorus, delay and reverb effects. You can configure each effect and enable them in any combination. With an in-app purchase, you can save multiple effects programs and switch between your saved programs.

If you have any MIDI equipment, you can also use Autoharp as a MIDI controller. Strum its strings and send note-on commands to another device to generate virtually any sound. The MIDI commands include velocity values determined by your strumming speed for expressive playing.

Advanced players can even customize Autoharp's string and chord layout, to optimize the sound for a given song or test a new setup before modifying a real autoharp. With an in-app purchase, you can set the note assigned to each string (from a total of 53 available notes) and set the strings assigned to each chord bar (either 15 or 21), then switch between any of your saved layouts.

Before buying this app, I recommend watching the demo video at autoharpapp.com to see how it works. If you need help after your purchase, please contact me before writing a bad review. I have no way to respond or help you if you publish your complaints in a review, but I respond promptly to all emails.

## Key features

- Realistic autoharp sound
- Chord buttons and strumming
- Built-in chorus, delay, and reverb effects
- MIDI controller output
- Customizable string and chord layouts
- Save and switch effect programs

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $1.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Save Multiple Effects Programs | $0.99 | one-time |
| Set Up Custom Chord Layouts | $3.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 56)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoharp/id366274361/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Really fun, and such a pretty sound!

*2025-09-22*

Nice job on the latest version! I like the way the autoharp is now positioned against a background because when it previously filled the screen I ran into frequent trouble with accidentally swiping the app away when strumming. 😂 Now I have a little room to overshoot. Also the gear icon no longer gets in the way. Well done! I have a lot of fun with this app. It makes a lovely sound, natural enough to record with, even, and it’s addictive to fidget with. I’ve also learned a lot from it in terms of chord transitions and tritone substitutions. I also LOVE that this FREE app is NOT collecting any of my personal data! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗💕

### 3/5 — Absturzgefahr…aber sonst toll.

*2024-01-08*

Ich habe sie geliebt und oft benutzt, mit eigenen Tunings versehen etc. Aber jetzt kam der Absturz. Die App ließ sich nicht mehr öffnen.🤔Neustart nix genutzt. Also dout, der Vogel…🫣.
Bei der Neuinstallation gehen alle Custombemühungen perdue.
Schade. Für den professionellen Einsatz mir jetzt zu heikel.
Bitte mehr Stabilität! Dann 5 Sterne.

### 1/5 — chord buttons way too hard to control

*2021-09-06, version 2.2.8*

not sure if the chord buttons are not well supported on size of iphone 12 pro max but impossible to play this with any accuracy☹️

### 1/5 — Too limited

*2021-07-04, version 2.2.8*

The least I would have expected would be for major and minor chords to be available in all 12 keys, this is pretty useless musically

### 4/5 — Amazingly expressive and richer sounds but no integration

*2020-08-29, version 2.2.8*

I’ll give this five stars if it had any way of being able record the audio in GarageBand as an audio unit or in Audiobus. 

Really rich and full sounds and fully customisable. So for example I created a customer set of chords for the circle of fifths.

### 1/5 — Key size too small

*2019-12-21, version 2.2.8*

The chord keys on this app are too small and so far I haven’t found a way to make them bigger.

### 5/5 — Super, mit Liebe zum Detail

*2019-10-11*

Die App ist mit Liebe zum Detail gemacht und funktioniert einwandfrei. Perfekt um im Backround zu Üben, Songs zu schreiben und sich mit dem Instrument Autoharp vertraut zu machen. Würde sie wieder kaufen 👍

### 2/5 — Drains batteries big time

*2018-09-04, version 2.2.6*

I have an iPhone SE and couldn't figure out why my battery was draining so dramatically, even with apps closed, wifi off, background refresh off etc. Finally deduced the main recent change was downloading this app. Deleted the app, things are back to normal now.

### 3/5 — Buttons too small for iPhone

*2017-08-20, version 2.2.5*

Nice samples, but the small buttons make it impossible for me to play. I just keep getting a mess of every note as though I'm touching no buttons at all. It probably works better on an iPad.

### 5/5 — Bravo Arlo! Well done app

*2016-01-09, version 2.2.4*

Great sound, with a fine bit of coding to digitize an acoustic musical instrument. 
I bought this to add onto an iPad that I gave my dear Mom — she’s always wanted an autoharp but isn’t very musical. This helped her engage with the iPad and feel comfortable with technology. I’m buying the washboard app next!

## Frequently asked questions about Autoharp

### What is Autoharp?

Autoharp is a mobile application that simulates the experience of playing a real autoharp. It allows users to push chord buttons and strum to produce high-quality audio samples. The app also offers built-in audio effects and can function as a MIDI controller.

### What are the key features of Autoharp?

Key features include realistic autoharp sound with volume matching strumming speed, built-in chorus, delay, and reverb effects, MIDI controller functionality with velocity sensitivity, and advanced customization of string and chord layouts for experienced users.

### How much does Autoharp cost?

The base application is free to download and use. Additional features, such as saving multiple effects programs and customizing string/chord layouts, are available through in-app purchases.

### Can I use Autoharp with other music software?

Yes, Autoharp can be used as a MIDI controller. You can connect it to other devices or software to generate virtually any sound, with MIDI commands including velocity values determined by your strumming speed for expressive playing.

### Who would benefit from using Autoharp?

Autoharp is beneficial for musicians who want to practice or experiment with the autoharp sound without owning a physical instrument. It's also useful for those looking for a versatile MIDI controller with unique strumming capabilities or for advanced users who want to customize instrument layouts.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.2.9 — 2025-08-17

- Fixed the initial display when the app is launched in landscape orientation.

- Updated for iOS 18.

### 2.2.8 — 2018-10-19

- Fixed a problem that prevented changing layouts and effects programs.

- Fixed the positioning of the Settings and Info buttons.

### 2.2.7 — 2018-10-03

- Fixed a problem that preventing lowering the number of strings in a custom layout.

- Fixed some button alignments on the custom layout edit page.

### 2.2.6 — 2018-02-23

Fixed a crash that occurred when copying a layout or effects program.

### 2.2.5 — 2016-10-03

- Updated for iOS 10.

- Fixed the behavior of pressing multiple chord buttons together. In this case, all the strings muted by each chord button should be muted together.

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## More apps by Arlo Leach

- [Jug Band](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jug-band/id353281973)
- [Washboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/washboard/id363227793)
- [Mouth Harp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mouth-harp/id376563785)
- [My Music Alarm](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-music-alarm/id384494602)
- [Set List Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/set-list-maker/id410496349)

All apps by Arlo Leach: https://appshunter.io/developer/353281976

## Related topics

[autoharp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/autoharp) · [musical autoharp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/musical-autoharp)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*