Comparison

Microphone Live vs RØDE SMART Pads

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

Head to head
About

Microphone Live

Transform your iOS device into a versatile live microphone. Stream audio wirelessly to speakers or headphones, enhance sound with professional controls like EQ and pitch shifting, and monitor levels with a decibel meter. Ideal for announcements, hearing assistance, or creative audio effects.

Highlights
  • Live microphone access
  • Wireless audio output to Bluetooth devices
  • Real-time audio effects (pitch, reverb, EQ)
  • Decibel meter for input monitoring
  • Microphone polar pattern selection
  • Live broadcast tool
Features
Read full description

Turn Your iPhone or iPad Into a Powerful Live Mic Microphone Live transforms your iOS device into a real-time microphone with advanced features and crystal-clear sound. Whether you’re enhancing your hearing, speaking through bluetooth speakers, or just having fun with audio effects—Microphone Live makes it simple. FEATURES: Live Microphone Access Listen through your device’s built-in or external microphones with low-latency audio. Wireless Audio Output Stream your live mic audio to Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, or wireless speakers—great for live announcements or personal amplification. Pro Audio Controls • Apply real-time compression for smoother sound • Shift pitch for creative or accessibility use • Add reverb for natural room ambiance or effects • Boost or cut targeted frequencies with Parametric EQ Decibel Meter Monitor live input levels with a real-time dB meter—great for volume awareness and sound checks. Microphone Polar Pattern Selection Choose from available mic patterns (e.g. cardioid, omnidirectional) for the best sound pickup depending on your environment. Live Broadcast Tool Turn your iOS device into a personal PA system—perfect for events, classrooms, or performances. Simple, Intuitive Interface No clutter. No confusion. Just tap and go. Designed for all users, from casual listeners to audio enthusiasts. Whether you’re enhancing hearing, making a live speech, or experimenting with sound—Microphone Live is your all-in-one audio companion. Download now and hear the difference. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

RØDE SMART Pads

Trigger high-quality audio samples on the go with a large library of factory sounds. This app offers a quick, easy, and fun way to integrate audio samples into any production environment.

Highlights
  • High quality audio sample triggering
  • Large number of factory sounds
  • Super easy triggering mechanism
  • Quick and easy integration
  • Fun audio production tool
Features
Read full description

The RØDE Sound Pads App is the companion sound pad player for high quality audio sample triggering on the go. With a large number of factory sounds and super easy triggering mechanism, the Sound Pads application provides a quick, easy and fun way to add a number of audio samples to any audio production environment.

Screenshots

Microphone Live4 screens
RØDE SMART Pads3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Microphone Live at 62% against RØDE SMART Pads's 6%. Microphone Live also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 16 months) and rating (4.4 vs 4.0). RØDE SMART Pads's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support 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

Both are free to download. Microphone Live sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. RØDE SMART Pads asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Microphone Live holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microphone Live has 5.2K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Microphone Live's written reviews are positive against 6% of RØDE SMART Pads's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microphone Live ships an update every 2 weeks, RØDE SMART Pads every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Microphone Live versus RØDE SMART Pads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrophone LiveRØDE SMART Pads
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.2K ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews — better5.9% of reviews
Number of ratings5.2K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 16 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB44 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperVonBruno LLCRØDE Microphones

Customer experience

Microphone Live

All ratings5,122 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative11.0%
Written reviews797 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative27.2%

RØDE SMART Pads

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive5.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative94.1%

Bugs and requests

Microphone Live

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Microphone stops working after iOS updates
  • App crashes when used with certain devices
  • Bluetooth connection issues
  • Inconsistent performance across devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add voice changer options
  • Improve Bluetooth connectivity
  • Reduce audio latency
  • Implement echo/feedback cancellation
  • Allow use of external/Bluetooth mics

RØDE SMART Pads

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Microphone Live

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Annual3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time4
  • Pitch Shift$0.99
  • Compression$1.99
  • Reverb$1.99
Show 1 more
  • Lifetime$29.99
None

RØDE SMART Pads

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Microphone Live free?
Microphone Live is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RØDE SMART Pads free?
RØDE SMART Pads is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Microphone Live or RØDE SMART Pads?
Microphone Live is rated higher. Microphone Live averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while RØDE SMART Pads averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Microphone Live or RØDE SMART Pads have ads?
Microphone Live shows ads; RØDE SMART Pads does not.
Which is updated more often, Microphone Live or RØDE SMART Pads?
Microphone Live ships an update every 2 weeks, and RØDE SMART Pads every 16 months. Most recently, Microphone Live was updated on November 4, 2026 and RØDE SMART Pads on November 3, 2026.

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