# touchscaper vs StringLab

The clearest difference is rating: touchscaper at 4.9 against StringLab's 4.3. touchscaper also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 57%) and ratings volume (147 vs 14). StringLab's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

touchscaper costs $4.99 and StringLab $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

touchscaper holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: touchscaper has 147 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of touchscaper's written reviews are positive against 57% of StringLab's.

touchscaper ships an update weekly, StringLab every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | touchscaper | StringLab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (147 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchscaper/id1250344299/reviews)** | [4.3 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stringlab/id6461312318/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **147** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | **93.2% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 359 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rob Jackson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1072346998) | [4Pockets.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/370131860) |

## What reviewers say

### touchscaper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchscaper/id1250344299)

Create music on your iPad by simply touching the screen. This app offers a semi-generative engine to guide note selection and allows for deep customization of chords, keys, and scales. Explore a variety of built-in sounds and effects to craft unique musical pieces.

**Highlights:** Multi-touch interface with radar, ribbon, and keyboard surfaces, Semi-generative engine for note selection, Full control over chords, keys, and scales, Layerable built-in sounds and effects, Chord navigator and looper with Ableton Link, Sequencer for touch, drums, and synth automation, Inter-App Audio and MIDI out support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Beautiful and inspiring sounds
- 👍 Easy to use, yet deep
- 💡 Innovative and unique instrument
- 🚀 Creates beautiful music easily
- 💰 Great value for the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 MIDI connectivity issues
- 🐛 MPE via MIDI out not working
- 🐛 Pops when adding multiple sounds
- 🐛 Hold Mode design is awkward
- 🐛 App can become unstable after long use

**Reported bugs**

- Does not show up as an available audio unit in Logic or GarageBand
- Cannot get any MIDI connectivity to work
- MPE via MIDI out does not work if there is no MIDI out for the app
- Pops when adding more than 2 sounds
- Hold Mode design is awkward, especially for note placement

**Requested features**

- AUv3 version/compatibility
- More sophisticated mixer
- Second bank of patterns
- Panels to tweak oscillators, LFOs, etc.
- Orchestral type sounds


### StringLab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stringlab/id6461312318)

This app is a digital synthesizer that uses physical string modeling to recreate the sounds of various instruments, particularly plucked or hammered strings. It allows users to explore acoustic physics and create unique instrument textures through extensive parameter experimentation.

**Highlights:** Karplus-Strong physical modeling, Exciter Impact and Noise modes, Resonator objects with feedback, Frequency Dispersion support, External live input, Preset randomizer and manager, Drag & Drop preset export

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is touchscaper free?

touchscaper costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StringLab free?

StringLab costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, touchscaper or StringLab?

touchscaper is rated higher. touchscaper averages 4.9 out of 5 from 147 ratings, while StringLab averages 4.3 from 14 ratings.

### Do touchscaper or StringLab have ads?

Neither touchscaper nor StringLab shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, touchscaper or StringLab?

touchscaper ships an update weekly, and StringLab every 10 days. Most recently, touchscaper was updated on September 28, 2026 and StringLab on September 30, 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.*