# Microphone Live vs RØDE SMART Pads

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microphone Live | RØDE SMART Pads |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microphone-live/id1070812067/reviews)** | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rde-smart-pads/id1615545224/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.2K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **62.5% of reviews** | 5.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 58 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [VonBruno LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/346742389) | [RØDE Microphones](https://appshunter.io/developer/423929371) |

## What reviewers say

### Microphone Live

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microphone-live/id1070812067)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual | $9.99 | per year |
| Pitch Shift | $0.99 | one-time |
| Compression | $1.99 | one-time |
| Reverb | $1.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔋 Works with Bluetooth speakers
- 👍 Simple interface
- 🎨 Can utilize all mics
- 🤖 Good for voice amplification

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cuts off after short time
- 🔊 Causes echo/feedback issues
- 🔇 Doesn't work with Bluetooth mics
- 💰 Too many features locked behind paywall
- 🔌 Delay when connected to speakers

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### RØDE SMART Pads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rde-smart-pads/id1615545224)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


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