# Alina String Ensemble vs Mantis

The clearest difference is price: Alina String Ensemble at $3.99 against Mantis's $14.99. Alina String Ensemble also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). Mantis's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Alina String Ensemble costs $3.99 and Mantis $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Mantis holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 8 respectively.

Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, Mantis every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alina String Ensemble | Mantis |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [4.2 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alina-string-ensemble/id1036045790/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mantis-bbd-echo/id1673531514/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **20** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 131 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [insideout ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/315046293) | [AudioThing Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1659941236) |

## What reviewers say

### Alina String Ensemble

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alina-string-ensemble/id1036045790)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Mantis

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mantis-bbd-echo/id1673531514)

This audio plugin emulates a vintage 70s analog delay/echo unit, offering a warm, authentic sound. It features four echo taps, swell selectors, and a unique modulation section for chorus-like effects.

**Highlights:** Emulates rare 70s BBD delay/echo, Warm analog sound, Four echo taps, Four swell selectors, Rotafaze modulation section, Mimics tape echo wow/flutter, Chorus-delay effect

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alina String Ensemble free?

Alina String Ensemble costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Mantis free?

Mantis costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Alina String Ensemble or Mantis?

Mantis is rated higher. Alina String Ensemble averages 4.2 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Mantis averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do Alina String Ensemble or Mantis have ads?

Neither Alina String Ensemble nor Mantis shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alina String Ensemble or Mantis?

Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, and Mantis every 9 months. Most recently, Alina String Ensemble was updated on September 22, 2026 and Mantis on September 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*