# 笙Time vs PentaMonochord

The clearest difference is price: PentaMonochord at $1.99 against 笙Time's $3.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

笙Time costs $3.99 and PentaMonochord $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

笙Time ships an update every 38 months, PentaMonochord every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 笙Time | PentaMonochord |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentamonochord/id1582880506/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 38 months | **Every 24 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 9 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tomohisa Himeno](https://appshunter.io/developer/928859848) | [Lucy Hudson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1179157812) |

## What reviewers say

### 笙Time

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/time/id1479262268)

This app simulates a traditional Japanese instrument called the Sho, used in Gagaku music. It features 17 bamboo pipes that produce a sound similar to a small pipe organ. Users can play notes by pressing buttons, adjust volume by tilting the device, and hold notes by dragging their finger.

**Highlights:** Sho instrument simulation, Traditional Japanese music (Gagaku), 17 bamboo pipes sound, Volume control via tilting, Note holding functionality, Adjustable fingering modes, Customizable attack/release envelope, Selectable tone colors

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PentaMonochord

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentamonochord/id1582880506)

Explore the relationship between pitch and string length with a digital monochord. Build scales, hear intervals, and learn about Pythagorean music theory through interactive blocks and historical context.

**Highlights:** Build two-octave G pentatonic scales, Hear and see interval relationships, View Hertz frequencies and string lengths, Play pentatonic tunes, Scale-building game mode, Background information on monochord system, Historical timeline

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 笙Time free?

笙Time costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PentaMonochord free?

PentaMonochord costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do 笙Time or PentaMonochord have ads?

Neither 笙Time nor PentaMonochord shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 笙Time or PentaMonochord?

笙Time ships an update every 38 months, and PentaMonochord every 24 months. Most recently, 笙Time was updated on September 17, 2026 and PentaMonochord on September 11, 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.*