# Handpan vs Handpan Sim

The clearest difference is price: Handpan Sim at Free against Handpan's $2.99. Handpan Sim also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (50% vs 37%). Handpan's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Handpan Sim is free to download; Handpan costs $2.99 up front. Handpan Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Handpan asks for nothing beyond the download.

Handpan Sim holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 37 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Handpan's written reviews are positive against 50% of Handpan Sim's.

Handpan ships an update every 8 months, Handpan Sim every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Handpan | Handpan Sim |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.8 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handpan/id1181177442/reviews) | **[4.5 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handpan-sim/id6740429440/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **37** |
| Positive reviews | 36.8% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 30 MB | 115 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aliaksei Vatutsin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1181177441) | [Alper Kahriman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054578352) |

## What reviewers say

### Handpan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handpan/id1181177442)

This music application transforms your smartphone into a realistic Hang instrument simulator. It offers high-quality sounds, intuitive design, and is suitable for musicians of all levels. Record, save, and play your own tunes with ease.

**Highlights:** Hang instrument simulation, High-quality audio, Low latency playback, Sound customization, Record and save tunes, Intuitive interface

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Handpan Sim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handpan-sim/id6740429440)

Explore the meditative sounds of the handpan with this simulator. It offers authentic tones, microtonal tuning, and adjustable effects for creative musical expression. Record and share your performances easily.

**Highlights:** Authentic handpan sounds, Microtonal tuning, Adjustable reverb and chorus effects, Dynamic key sensitivity, Multiple play modes, Built-in performance recorder, Screen recording capability

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get Premium | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Handpan free?

Handpan costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Handpan Sim free?

Handpan Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Handpan or Handpan Sim?

Handpan Sim is rated higher. Handpan averages 3.8 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Handpan Sim averages 4.5 from 37 ratings.

### Do Handpan or Handpan Sim have ads?

Handpan Sim shows ads; Handpan does not.

### Which is updated more often, Handpan or Handpan Sim?

Handpan ships an update every 8 months, and Handpan Sim every 4 months. Most recently, Handpan was updated on September 10, 2026 and Handpan Sim on September 22, 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.*