# FM Essential vs STAGEPAS Editor

The clearest difference is rating: FM Essential at 3.0 against STAGEPAS Editor's 1.5. FM Essential also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 7%) and ratings volume (70 vs 11). STAGEPAS Editor's advantage is update cadence (every 7 months vs every 15 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

FM Essential holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FM Essential has 70 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of FM Essential's written reviews are positive against 7% of STAGEPAS Editor's.

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, STAGEPAS Editor every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FM Essential | STAGEPAS Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614/reviews)** | [1.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagepas-editor/id1454330701/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **70** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **40.0% of reviews** | 6.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 7 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 88 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) | [Yamaha Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/353469356) |

## What reviewers say

### FM Essential

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614)

This app is an FM tone generator and synthesizer for iPhone and iPad, offering real-time performance capabilities and voice editing. It includes a variety of presets, arpeggiator patterns, chord pads, and scales, along with drum functionalities. The app also supports external hardware integration and advanced sound manipulation through effects, EQ, and a ball controller.

**Highlights:** FM tone generator, Real-time synth performance, Voice editing, Arpeggiator and chord pads, Effects and EQ edit, Ball controller for sound modulation, Step sequencer

**In-app purchases:** none


### STAGEPAS Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagepas-editor/id1454330701)

Control your sound system remotely during rehearsals or performances. Adjust volume and EQ settings, and save configurations for different songs to streamline setup and ensure consistent audio quality.

**Highlights:** Remote volume control, Remote EQ adjustment, Save custom settings, Streamlined setup, Consistent performance audio

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FM Essential free?

FM Essential is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is STAGEPAS Editor free?

STAGEPAS Editor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FM Essential or STAGEPAS Editor?

FM Essential is rated higher. FM Essential averages 3.0 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while STAGEPAS Editor averages 1.5 from 11 ratings.

### Do FM Essential or STAGEPAS Editor have ads?

Neither FM Essential nor STAGEPAS Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FM Essential or STAGEPAS Editor?

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, and STAGEPAS Editor every 7 months. Most recently, FM Essential was updated on September 21, 2026 and STAGEPAS Editor on September 9, 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.*