Comparison

Alina String Ensemble vs Pulsar

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Alina String Ensemble

This app is a musical keyboard simulator that recreates the authentic sounds of the Solina String Ensemble from the 1970s. It features a 49-key, 4-octave keyboard with multiple instrument sounds and built-in effects like reverb and modulation.

Highlights
  • Solina String Ensemble sound simulation
  • 6 pre-loaded instruments
  • 49-key, 4-octave keyboard
  • Core MIDI and MIDI compatible
  • Built-in spring reverb effect
  • Adjustable modulation
Features
Read full description

Alina String Ensemble is a musical keyboard application for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch that simulates the Solina String Ensemble. The sound is in reference to Solina String Ensemble (Serial number "SERIES 22, No.0093158”) manufactured by N.V. EMINENT BODEGRAVEN HOLLAND in the 70’s. You are sure to be surprised at the real sound generated from this App. Features: - Pre-loaded with 6 instruments including Viola, Violin, Brass, Horn, Cello, Contra Bass - 49key, 4-octave Keyboards with scrollable - Core MIDI and MIDI compatible - Scrollable Keyboard & dual Keyboards(Only iPad) - BASS tone(Cello, Contra Bass) is assigned on lowest 20 keys - Built-in Reverb that simulates a spring reverb - Modulation that can adjust the rate and depth Special thanks: Jun Kawabata courtesy of AIRPLANE LABEL & Studio Peach Blue Peach

About

Pulsar

This music app provides a virtual drum machine with 8 pads for improvising and playing along to built-in rhythm presets. It features real-time rhythm switching, tempo control, and various effects. It also supports Ableton Link and MIDI for seamless integration with other music software and hardware.

Highlights
  • 8-pad drum machine
  • Built-in rhythm presets
  • Real-time rhythm switching
  • Tempo and accent control
  • Drive, reverb, and filter effects
  • Ableton Link synchronization
  • MIDI In/Out support
  • AUv3 compatibility
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Make beats anywhere with Pulsar-ES, an authentic preset drum machine expanded into a mobile groovebox for iPhone and iPad. Inspired by the rare Soviet/Ukrainian PULSAR hardware, Pulsar-ES keeps the original industrial rhythm-box character while adding the missing modern features producers expect: MIDI editing, deeper FX, Ableton Link sync, AUv3 workflow, and mobile project control. Play ideas fast on the 4x2 drum pad grid, then turn them into full patterns with the MIDI Clip Editor. Draw, move, and resize notes directly on the grid so your rhythm stays editable after the first take. Shape your sound with a hands-on FX rack built for quick decisions: - Filter with low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and notch modes - Reverb with room, hall, and plate spaces - Overdrive with overdrive, distortion, fuzz, and tube modes - Delay with digital, tape, and ping-pong modes - Chorus and compressor for extra movement and control Pulsar-ES also supports Ableton Link sync, project save/load, rhythm presets, and a portrait layout designed for making music on the go. Start a beat, edit every note, shape it with FX, and keep your ideas moving.

Screenshots

Alina String Ensemble4 screens
Pulsar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pulsar at every 3 weeks against Alina String Ensemble's every 4 months. Pulsar also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 52%) and chart position (#188 vs unranked). Alina String Ensemble's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Alina String Ensemble costs $3.99 and Pulsar $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Alina String Ensemble against 4.3 for Pulsar. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 7 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Alina String Ensemble's written reviews are positive against 67% of Pulsar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, Pulsar every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Alina String Ensemble versus Pulsar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlina String EnsemblePulsar
Price$3.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.2 (20 ratings)4.3 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.4% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#188 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerinsideout ltd.Dmytro Kiro

Customer experience

Alina String Ensemble

All ratings20 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive52.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative47.6%

Pulsar

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

Alina String Ensemble

No in-app purchases

None

Pulsar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Alina String Ensemble free?
Alina String Ensemble costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pulsar free?
Pulsar costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Alina String Ensemble or Pulsar?
Pulsar is rated higher. Alina String Ensemble averages 4.2 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Pulsar averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.
Do Alina String Ensemble or Pulsar have ads?
Neither Alina String Ensemble nor Pulsar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alina String Ensemble or Pulsar?
Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, and Pulsar every 3 weeks. Most recently, Alina String Ensemble was updated on September 22, 2026 and Pulsar on September 18, 2026.

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