# Pianist

> Multi-touch mobile piano app with 88 keys, recording, and practice tools. (iPhone/iPad app by MooCowMusic Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianist/id284622652 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [MooCowMusic Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/283853765)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 3.60/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 306 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 11 MB
- Languages: American English, Chinese (Simplified, China)
- Released: 2019-01-31
- Data updated: 2026-09-11
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianist/id284622652/reviews.md

## What is Pianist?

The first widely available mobile multi-touch piano, Pianist has been featured in a number of Apple advertising campaigns and was one of the 'Awesome iOS4 Apps' in an Apple iTunes promotion. Sound On Sound magazine listed Pianist in its pick of the Top 20 iPhone Apps, and T3 Magazine in its Top 100 iPhone Apps. Pianist has also been recommended by media sources such as the Mail On Sunday and Fox News.   Pianist is considered so influential that it has now been listed as one of three examples of musical instrument apps in the primary academic reference:  "The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments".

- Full 88 key piano keyboard sampled from a real piano for maximum authenticity. 

- Record and save your compositions for later playback. Overdub as many times as you want, and remove unwanted notes. 

- Virtual "Soft" and "Sustain" pedals, and expression depending on where you press the key. 

- Optional dual keyboard layout allows you to reach even more keys without the need to scroll. Up to four octaves can be displayed and played at once. 

- Stay in time with a completely configurable metronome.

To take your music creation to the next step, be sure to also check out our new app:  Looptical Music Studio.

## Key features

- Full 88 key piano keyboard
- Record and save compositions
- Overdubbing and note removal
- Virtual soft and sustain pedals
- Dual keyboard layout
- Configurable metronome

## What do users think of Pianist?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- ⭐ Best piano app
- 🎹 Realistic piano sound
- 🎶 Great for composing and recording
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🎛️ Customizable keyboard layout

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔇 Low volume output
- 📱 Limited by small screen size
- ⏱️ Slow startup time
- 🔀 Confusing recording/playback controls

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Keyboard gets stuck or changes configuration
- App freezes or crashes after extended use
- Sustain pedal not functioning properly
- Bluetooth speaker connectivity issues

**Most requested features**

- Add support for iPhone 5/newer displays
- Implement MIDI export/import
- Integrate with music streaming apps
- Expand sound library with more instruments
- Improve scrolling and key accessibility

## Recent user reviews (10 of 306)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianist/id284622652/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Have to restart your phone every time when done

*2026-07-18, version 1.9.2*

Piano keyboard shows 2 octaves at once, which is nice. The app is great except for one very annoying aspect. Unless your iPhone has a physical home button, there is no way to leave the Pianist app without completely restarting the phone. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen is disabled, and there is no button or hamburger menu to let you get out.

### 5/5 — The best!

*2025-01-28, version 1.9.2*

This app hasn’t been updated in almost a decade, but it’s still the best piano app out there IMHO!! I wish the devs came out and updated it for newer bigger screens, but it’s just amazing that it still works as intended! Thank guys, I’ve been using this app since it was announced back in the iPad 2 days

### 1/5 — おすすめしません

*2019-12-11, version 1.9.2*

iPadのversionが素晴らしかったのでiPhoneにもと思って購入しましたが、これは音源がpianoだけだったり大幅に機能が省かれた有料の「お試し版」でがっかりしました。

### 1/5 — 垃圾

*2018-02-27*

垃圾，什么功能都没有，骗人软件

### 2/5 — No IPhone X screen support

*2018-01-19, version 1.9.2*

Please optimise the app for iPhone X.

### 1/5 — 麻蛋辣鸡

*2017-10-19*

什么辣鸡软件，就一个键盘，其他什么都没有，要收25，我想知道哪里可以举报

### 5/5 — It’s TRULY  baby grand in your pocket☆

*2017-02-08, version 1.9.2*

I’m FLOORED that you updated this today☆ Thank you for caring enough to do so. I know you did an update in the past year, or two, but today’s update shows you really do care about this app. I’ve had this app since my iPhone3G back in 2009, and I’ve also put it on my iPhone4 (Twenty-10), iPhone5 (Twenty-12), and my iPhone6S+ (Twenty-15). I’ve been a student of David L Burge’s Perfect Pitch course since 1998, and I like to use your piano app to test my ear when tones and notes jump out at me in real life☆ I like the accuracy of the touch, even when using 15-key mode. The tone is so realistic for it to be coming from a phone. It really makes me wish I had a stereo iPhone7, but i’m still gonna wait a while since I still have the last of the headphone-jack iPhones.
Thank you so much.

### 2/5 — ㅅ ㅅ

*2016-11-07, version 1.9.1*

삭제 요청부탁 드립니다

### 2/5 — Superfluous app

*2016-10-13, version 1.9.1*

The sound quality and the functionality aren't any better or different than the piano in GarageBand. Best use that instead of paying for this app.

### 1/5 — 垃圾

*2016-09-18*

我从来下载过这么垃圾的键盘，收25？大家千万别上当，这样的商家太缺德了。

## Frequently asked questions about Pianist

### What is Pianist?

Pianist is a mobile application that provides a realistic multi-touch piano experience. It features a full 88-key keyboard sampled from a real piano, allowing users to play and record music on their mobile devices.

### What are the key features of Pianist?

Key features include a full 88-key keyboard for authentic playing, the ability to record and save compositions with overdubbing capabilities, virtual pedals for expression, an optional dual keyboard layout for extended range, and a configurable metronome for practice.

### How much does Pianist cost?

Based on the provided information, Pianist is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### What devices is Pianist compatible with?

The description mentions its history with Apple advertising campaigns and being featured in Apple iTunes promotions, indicating strong compatibility with iOS devices. Specific version compatibility is not detailed.

### Who would benefit from using Pianist?

Pianist is ideal for aspiring pianists who want to practice and learn, musicians who need a portable instrument for composing on the go, and anyone interested in exploring music creation with a realistic piano interface.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9.2 — 2019-01-31

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Added support for 64 bit processors.

### 1.9.1 — 2015-04-23

- Added the ability to double tap on a song title in the Store screen to load it.
- Fixed an issue with resolution when running on iOS8.3.

### 1.9 — 2013-04-08

Added support for iPhone 5 resolution.

### 1.8 — 2011-01-06

- iOS4 optimizations.

### 1.7 — 2010-06-21

Now in Hi-Res on iPhone 4!
----------------------------------------
Hi-res textures have been included which will automatically be displayed when installed on the iPhone 4, bringing amazing depth and clarity.  (The app will still run perfectly happily on all previous models of iPhone and iPod Touch)

New Improved Graphics!
-------------------------------
Pianist has been given a complete graphical overhaul to maintain consistency with 'Pianist Pro' on the iPad.

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## More apps by MooCowMusic Ltd.

- [Pianist Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianist-pro/id358857758)

All apps by MooCowMusic Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/283853765

## Related topics

[touch pianist](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/touch-pianist)

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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 2026-09-11.*