Comparison

SoundWise vs RIAT

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

Head to head
About

SoundWise

Transform your device into an interactive music book. Access digital scores, receive instant performance feedback, and utilize practice tools like audio backing tracks and video tutorials. Build your digital library and enhance your musical learning experience.

Highlights
  • Interactive music books
  • Instant performance feedback (SoundCheck)
  • Digital music scores (eBook)
  • Audio backing and guide tracks
  • Exclusive video tutorials
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

SoundWise. The next generation of music books is here. Turn your iPhone or iPad into an interactive music book and play the music you love, when you want, where you want. Music books you have activated on SoundWise will automatically appear in your App. --------------------------------------------------------- Your music book is now supported by cutting-edge, interactive technology. With instant feedback on your practice, as well as a suite of digital extras from video tutorials to audio backing tracks, you’ll find everything you need to play the music you love – all in one place. What’s included? All music books supported by SoundWise come with a collection of digital tools that will help take your practice to the next level. These can include: SOUNDCHECK: powered by Match My Sound, SoundCheck listens to you play and gives you feedback on your performance and advice on how to improve EBOOK: a digital edition of your music to read on any device AUDIO: backing and guide tracks that you can stream straight from your device VIDEO: exclusive tutorial and behind the scenes video content How does it work? It’s easy! Simply activate your book on SoundWise online and it will automatically appear in your app. Build your digital library of enhanced music books Access your content, whenever, wherever Get smart feedback on your performance Track your progress throughout the book Discover and try out a huge catalogue of books supported by SoundWise Who is it for? Whether you’re a beginner or an expert – SoundWise is the perfect tool to enjoy playing on any instrument. EDUCATORS/TEACHERS: Encourage your students to practice between lessons and challenge them to get 5 stars on every exercise. Our cutting-edge feedback technology is engaging and fun, allowing students to get more from their practice. SELF-LEARNERS: SoundWise helps you learn as you play. With tutorial videos and feedback software, you can practise at your own pace and work through your books till you get top marks for each piece. JUST FOR FUN Whether you’re a pro or just love to play in your own time, SoundWise keeps you motivated to practise and learn. About SoundWise SoundWise is an interactive platform developed in support of Hal Leonard publications. Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard is the world's largest publisher and distributor of music performance and instructional materials. Support Are you having any problems? Check our FAQs or contact us directly with your questions. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions. If you’d like to make your voice heard, please provide feedback at info@soundwise.co.uk

About

RIAT

Your official guide to the world's greatest airshow, held annually at RAF Fairford. Access all the essential information to enhance your visit, from schedules to site maps.

Highlights
  • Official event guide
  • Visit information
  • Schedules
  • Site maps
  • Essential details
Features
Read full description

The official App for The Royal International Air Tattoo, held every July at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Everything you need to enjoy your visit to the world's greatest airshow is here.

Screenshots

SoundWise4 screens
RIAT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RIAT at 5.0 against SoundWise's 2.2. RIAT also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). SoundWise's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RIAT holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SoundWise has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoundWise ships an update every 2 weeks, RIAT weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SoundWise versus RIAT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundWiseRIAT
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (10 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews9.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHal Leonard Europe LtdTHE ROYAL AIR FORCE CHARITABLE TRUST ENTERPRISES

Bugs and requests

SoundWise

Reported bugs

78 issues
  • Opening beats unclear
  • App constantly crashes
  • App hasn't been updated in 5 years
  • App doesn't track progress
  • App doesn't work
Show 73 more
  • Book pages upside down
  • Tracks won't play without signal
  • Intermittently gives feedback
  • App is unstable
  • App hangs up on multiple plays
  • App resets itself
  • Loses purchases after resetting
  • Problem with app loading/turning
  • Phone screen turns off during song
  • Playback stops automatically
  • Cannot log in without Facebook
  • Facebook login not working
  • Website not working
  • Cannot access songs
  • Cannot input code
  • Digital versions wouldn't download
  • App is no longer working
  • Cannot log back in
  • Cannot create new account
  • Login fails with 'failed to get token'
  • Server certificate invalid
  • Cannot open Soundcheck feature
  • SSL error preventing Soundcheck
  • No option to input code on website or app
  • No response to reviews
  • Verification email not sent
  • Recording of playing is unusable
  • Feedback is unusable
  • App will not load
  • Incorrect code displayed
  • No action taken on reviews
  • Wrong trial book displayed
  • Cannot listen to any audio
  • Cannot access backing tracks
  • No option to input code in app
  • App is non-intuitive
  • App is not efficient
  • Login attempts show info already used
  • No where to enter code in app
  • Website is worse than app
  • About Us/FAQs/Contact Us links not responding
  • App won't let user sign in
  • Tracks stop playing randomly
  • No button to download tracks
  • App is not fit for purpose
  • No response to support emails
  • Cannot get to the point to enter code
  • Application was lost
  • No results from support emails
  • Book is useless without working app
  • No download available
  • Nothing appears in library after code added
  • No ability to add code again
  • No chat function for support
  • No password reset option
  • Tracks do not play offline
  • Tracks not available offline
  • DVD soundtrack doesn't work
  • Cannot search for books online
  • Cannot access grade 2 pieces after grade 3
  • App scrolls music too far down
  • Recording progress bar jumps back
  • App does not rate playing or give stars
  • Pitch accuracy unclear
  • Cursor bounces backwards at end of exercise
  • App does not register exercise finish
  • Ebook download failed
  • App is unreliable
  • Slow to load exercises
  • App freezes at end of recording
  • No response from developer
  • Cannot forward/rewind tracks from lock screen
  • Cannot use headphone buttons for playback control

Requested features

8 requests
  • Offline playback for tracks
  • Ability to download tracks
  • Dark mode option
  • More music books available
  • Password reset option
Show 3 more
  • Ability to input book codes in app
  • Downloadable tracks for offline play
  • Ability to control playback from lock screen/headphones

RIAT

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SoundWise

No in-app purchases

None

RIAT

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SoundWise free?
SoundWise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RIAT free?
RIAT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SoundWise or RIAT?
RIAT is rated higher. SoundWise averages 2.2 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while RIAT averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SoundWise or RIAT have ads?
RIAT shows ads; SoundWise does not.
Which is updated more often, SoundWise or RIAT?
SoundWise ships an update every 2 weeks, and RIAT weekly. Most recently, SoundWise was updated on November 6, 2026 and RIAT on October 30, 2026.

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