# Heavy Brass vs KeyStage

The clearest difference is price: Heavy Brass at $9.99 against KeyStage's $29.99. Heavy Brass also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7). KeyStage's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (91% vs 81%). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Heavy Brass costs $9.99 and KeyStage $29.99 up front. KeyStage sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Heavy Brass asks for nothing beyond the download.

KeyStage holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37 and 37 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Heavy Brass's written reviews are positive against 91% of KeyStage's.

Heavy Brass ships an update every 2 months, KeyStage every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Heavy Brass | KeyStage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $29.99 |
| Rating | [4.2 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heavy-brass/id1037802910/reviews) | **[4.7 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystage/id1406132634/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 37 | 37 |
| Positive reviews | 81.3% of reviews | **91.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 353 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christian Schoenebeck d/b/a Crudebyte](https://appshunter.io/developer/428367741) | [Ali Gokturk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1406132633) |

## What reviewers say

### Heavy Brass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heavy-brass/id1037802910)

This virtual instrument app provides realistic trumpet, trombone, and saxophone sounds for music production and live performance. It offers a wide variety of articulations and sound categories, supporting integration with other music apps and external MIDI controllers.

**Highlights:** Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone sounds, Multiple brass section samples, Switchable and crossfadeable articulations, Audio Unit v3, Inter-App Audio, Audiobus support, External MIDI keyboard and controller support, Integrated effects with presets, MIDI player and recorder

**In-app purchases:** none


### KeyStage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystage/id1406132634)

This app acts as a master controller, AUv3 host, and audio mixer for keyboard players. It allows simultaneous control of multiple hardware and software instruments via MIDI, with advanced mapping, scripting, and audio mixing capabilities.

**Highlights:** Connect multiple MIDI controllers to instruments, Load AUv3 instruments, effects, and MIDI processors, Create complex keyboard splits and layers, Advanced MIDI mapping and scripting, Audio mixer with volume and pan control, Play and automate audio files, View PDF and JPG files

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Instrument Units | Free | one-time |
| Effect Units | Free | one-time |
| Player, Input, and Mixer Units | Free | one-time |
| MIDI Units | Free | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $3.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Heavy Brass free?

Heavy Brass costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KeyStage free?

KeyStage costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Heavy Brass or KeyStage?

KeyStage is rated higher. Heavy Brass averages 4.2 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while KeyStage averages 4.7 from 37 ratings.

### Do Heavy Brass or KeyStage have ads?

Neither Heavy Brass nor KeyStage shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Heavy Brass or KeyStage?

Heavy Brass ships an update every 2 months, and KeyStage every 3 months. Most recently, Heavy Brass was updated on June 11, 2026 and KeyStage on September 18, 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.*