Comparison

Pensato vs NovaLimit

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

Head to head
About

Pensato

Explore over 1400 musical scales and modes with this app. Visualize chords and notes for any root, find scales via keyboard input or circle of fifths, and discover shared chords between multiple scales to build complex progressions.

Highlights
  • Over 1400 scales and modes
  • Smart-Finder for note input
  • Circle of fifths integration
  • Chord and note visualization
  • Scale progression builder
  • Built-in synthesizer
Features
Read full description

Pensato allows you to explore over 1400 musical scales and modes. You can view the chords and notes of each scale for any root note. You can find scales by inputting notes on a piano keyboard, by picking from the circle of fifths or by choosing one of the auto-generated related scales. When you add multiple scales to your list you will be able to see what chords are shared between them. This is a great way to build up complex chord progressions and key modulations in your songs. You can use Pensato simply as a learning tool or to build up scale progressions while composing music. The main idea was to make an app that focused on scale progressions instead of chord progressions, allowing you to evolve your music with more richness and interest than if you were to stay in one key. Open up Pensato in front of you while composing music and easily visualize chords in various scales to help you write interesting progressions. *** FEATURES *** • Library with over 1400 different scales and modes. • Includes standard 7-note scales as well as scales ranging from 3 to 12 tones. • Explore simple minor/major scales or more advanced blues, diminished, bebop and exotic scales. • A Smart-Finder allows you to plug in notes on a piano and find all the scales that contain those notes. This is a great way to find scales that match a melody. • A Smart-Suggestion page shows you all closely-related scales to the previous scale in your list. • Use the circle of fifths to easily add closely related scales. • See all chords contained in a given scale (either simple triads or full 4-note chords). • View the notes of the scale on a piano keyboard. Great for learning new scales or easily referencing familiar scales. • Easily transpose all scales and notes. • Built in synthesizer lets you audition chords and scales. • Press and hold a chord to view its notes. • Add scales to your list so you can see what notes and chords they share. This is a great way to transition from scale to scale. • Your scale progression and settings are saved when you restart the app. • Customizable UI allows you to hide the piano notes, scale names or chords. • A "focus" mode allows you to remove all the UI so you can focus on the chords and notes. • Ability to add a random scale to your list. Great for inspiration or for starting out a new song. • Beautiful modern minimal UI design. Focus on the content, not the interface. • Universal iPhone/iPad app.

About

NovaLimit

This audio plugin offers transparent true peak limiting and intuitive spatial positioning for professional audio mixes. It maximizes loudness while providing control over dynamic range and mix placement, transforming tracks into polished, spatially defined masterpieces. Ideal for producers, beatmakers, and podcasters seeking professional results on mobile devices.

Highlights
  • Intelligent true peak limiting
  • Forward/back spatial positioning
  • Adaptive release limiter
  • Advanced sidechain control
  • Touch-optimized interface
  • AUv3 host compatibility
Features
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NovaLimit: Intelligent Limiter + Spatial Positioning Welcome to the next evolution in professional audio plugins. NovaLimit combines transparent true peak limiting with intuitive forward/back spatial positioning. Intelligent processing maximizes your loudness while giving you complete control over dynamic range and mix placement. From aggressive modern loudness to warm vintage character, one brilliantly designed plugin transforms your mixes into professionally limited, spatially positioned masterpieces! Instantly Transform Your Loudness & Depth: Intelligent true peak limiting prevents overs while maintaining musical dynamics Professional brick-wall limiter with adaptive release and clip enhancement Move sounds forward for clarity or back for warmth and space Position orb grows larger as sounds move forward, smaller as they recede Advanced sidechain control over spatial positioning for dynamic mix movement Made for Everyone: Producers: Broadcast and streaming-ready loudness with professional spatial control Beatmakers: Maximize drum punch while positioning elements in mix depth Singer-Songwriters: Transparent vocal limiting with forward positioning for presence Podcasters: Broadcast-safe limiting with spatial separation for voice and music Beginners: Set-and-forget intelligent processing with simple visual controls Experts: Advanced sidechain routing with precise position control Professional Features, Intelligently Simple: Intelligent Limiter: Adaptive Release - Content-aware timing that adjusts to your source material True Peak Detection - Multi-stage lookahead ensures broadcast-safe output Musical Character - Professional limiting with optional clip enhancement Transparent Processing - Increase loudness without pumping SuperSitter Spatial Technology: Our exclusive SuperSitter system moves sounds forward or back - not just left/right panning. A Revolution. Forward - Brings sounds closer with intelligent EQ and transient enhancement Back - Creates warm distance with spatial processing and filtering Center - Complete transparency when positioning isn't needed Visual Feedback - Dynamic orb scaling shows exact spatial position Advanced Sidechain Control: Position Modulation - Route sidechain to dynamically control forward/back positioning Tuned Response - Precise threshold, attack, release, and mix controls Self-Signal Mode - Use the track's own signal for dynamic spatial control (DAW dependent) LED Indicator - Bright LED shows when position is under sidechain control Three Professional Gain Reduction Meter Options: Watch limiter activity in real-time with waveform, vintage, or modern meter styles. Just tap the meter to cycle through them! Perfect for iOS/iPadOS Production: Touch-optimized interface designed for iPad and iPhone Works with GarageBand, Cubasis, AUM, BeatMaker 3, and all AUv3 hosts Create professional masters on the go - no desktop required CPU-efficient design allows multiple instances without performance issues Perfect for mobile recording, production, and live performance Technical Excellence: AUv3 format for all iOS/iPadOS DAWs Real-time intelligent content analysis with adaptive processing Professional lookahead limiting with automatic delay compensation True peak limiting with extended headroom and no overs Full parameter automation support with smooth transitions 20 professionally crafted presets covering important scenarios in any genre or style Professional Results, Fraction of the Cost: Get the same limiting quality as plugins costing $100-300+ on desktop combined with uniquely integrated spatial positioning technology, optimized perfectly for iOS/iPadOS. NovaLimit delivers mastering-grade results at a price that makes professional sound accessible to everyone. NovaLimit represents the evolution of audio plugins combining transparent loudness maximization with intuitive spatial positioning. Download NovaLimit now and hear professional mastering-quality results in seconds!

Screenshots

Pensato4 screens
NovaLimit3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pensato at $3.99 against NovaLimit's $9.99. Pensato also leads on ratings volume (15 vs 2). NovaLimit's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

Pensato costs $3.99 and NovaLimit $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NovaLimit holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pensato has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pensato versus NovaLimit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPensatoNovaLimit
Price$3.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (15 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNebojsa PetrovicSimon Alexander

Customer experience

Pensato

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral13.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral18.2%
Negative0.0%

NovaLimit

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Pensato

No in-app purchases

None

NovaLimit

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pensato free?
Pensato costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NovaLimit free?
NovaLimit costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pensato or NovaLimit?
NovaLimit is rated higher. Pensato averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while NovaLimit averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Pensato or NovaLimit have ads?
Neither Pensato nor NovaLimit shows ads.

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