# Alina String Ensemble vs Cue8

The clearest difference is price: Alina String Ensemble at $3.99 against Cue8's $19.99. Alina String Ensemble also leads on ratings volume (19 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Cue8's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Alina String Ensemble costs $3.99 and Cue8 $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Cue8 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alina String Ensemble has 19 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, Cue8 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alina String Ensemble | Cue8 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.1 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alina-string-ensemble/id1036045790/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cue8-live-act-beat-maker/id6765797832/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **19** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 131 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [insideout ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/315046293) | [ARMAGAN UNLU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896079091) |

## 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


### Cue8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cue8-live-act-beat-maker/id6765797832)

Create and perform music live from a single screen with eight instruments, customizable controls, and real-time effects. Build full arrangements, chain patterns, and export your creations to a DAW or share them with the community.

**Highlights:** Eight instruments with deep sound design, Real-time performance effects and controls, Pattern and arrangement building, Key and scale locking for melodies, MIDI export for DAWs, Community sharing and discovery

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alina String Ensemble free?

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

### Is Cue8 free?

Cue8 costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Alina String Ensemble or Cue8?

Cue8 is rated higher. Alina String Ensemble averages 4.1 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Cue8 averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Alina String Ensemble or Cue8 have ads?

Neither Alina String Ensemble nor Cue8 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alina String Ensemble or Cue8?

Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, and Cue8 fortnightly. Most recently, Alina String Ensemble was updated on October 24, 2026 and Cue8 on October 22, 2026.

---

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