# KeyStage vs LAVA Tuner

The clearest difference is price: LAVA Tuner at $3.99 against KeyStage's $29.99. LAVA Tuner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (daily vs every 3 months). KeyStage's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On ads there is nothing between them.

KeyStage costs $29.99 and LAVA Tuner $3.99 up front. KeyStage sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. LAVA Tuner asks for nothing beyond the download.

KeyStage ships an update every 3 months, LAVA Tuner daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KeyStage | LAVA Tuner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystage/id1406132634/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **41** | — |
| Positive reviews | 91.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | — | **#191** |
| Size | 61 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ali Gokturk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1406132633) | [Mike Geronsin](https://appshunter.io/developer/6782215297) |

## What reviewers say

### KeyStage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystage/id1406132634)

This app acts as a master controller, AUv3 host, and audio mixer for keyboard players. It allows simultaneous control of multiple hardware and software instruments via MIDI, with advanced mapping, scripting, and audio mixing capabilities.

**Highlights:** Connect multiple MIDI controllers to instruments, Load AUv3 instruments, effects, and MIDI processors, Create complex keyboard splits and layers, Advanced MIDI mapping and scripting, Audio mixer with volume and pan control, Play and automate audio files, View PDF and JPG files

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Instrument Units | Free | one-time |
| Effect Units | Free | one-time |
| Player, Input, and Mixer Units | Free | one-time |
| MIDI Units | Free | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $3.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful for live performance
- 👍 Replaces hardware keyboards
- 💡 Seamlessly integrates AUv3 apps
- 👍 Excellent MIDI control
- 👍 Great for organizing setlists

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App is ugly (UI)
- 🐛 Some users experience crashes
- 🐛 Learning curve for new users
- 🐛 In-app purchases for core features
- 🐛 Slow song loading times

**Reported bugs**

- Custom Translators Database not downloading
- Snap to grid on wave files not lining up
- Song switching via MIDI channels not working
- App crashes when trying to use instruments Database (older iOS)
- Occasional crashes

**Requested features**

- More complete user manual with troubleshooting
- Beginner's explanation of MIDI and AUv3
- MIDI Clock In + Seq Sync
- Global Tap Tempo
- In-line FX bypass (MIDI mappable)


### LAVA Tuner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lava-tuner/id6796955424)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KeyStage free?

KeyStage costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is LAVA Tuner free?

LAVA Tuner costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do KeyStage or LAVA Tuner have ads?

Neither KeyStage nor LAVA Tuner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KeyStage or LAVA Tuner?

KeyStage ships an update every 3 months, and LAVA Tuner daily. Most recently, KeyStage was updated on October 24, 2026 and LAVA Tuner on October 6, 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.*