# Strum Machine vs PixelFlow

The clearest difference is price: Strum Machine at Free against PixelFlow's $3.99. Strum Machine also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). PixelFlow's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

Strum Machine is free to download; PixelFlow costs $3.99 up front. Strum Machine sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. PixelFlow asks for nothing beyond the download.

Strum Machine ships an update fortnightly, PixelFlow every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Strum Machine | PixelFlow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strum-machine-backing-tracks/id1509158553/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **118** | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#170** | #196 |
| Size | 77 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Luke Abbott LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509158552) | [Marco van Hylckama Vlieg](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869986586) |

## What reviewers say

### Strum Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strum-machine-backing-tracks/id1509158553)

**Currently charting:** #170 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Generate realistic backing tracks for practice with real instrument audio. Customize chord progressions, keys, and tempo. Features a large song library, song editor, and band customization options. Works offline and syncs across devices.

**Highlights:** Realistic instrument audio backing tracks, Customizable chord progressions, keys, and tempo, Extensive song library, Simple song editor, Band and instrument customization, Cross-platform syncing and offline mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |


### PixelFlow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelflow-now-playing/id6780116313)

**Currently charting:** #196 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Strum Machine free?

Strum Machine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PixelFlow free?

PixelFlow costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Strum Machine or PixelFlow have ads?

Neither Strum Machine nor PixelFlow shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Strum Machine or PixelFlow?

Strum Machine ships an update fortnightly, and PixelFlow every 2 months. Most recently, Strum Machine was updated on October 16, 2026 and PixelFlow on September 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Strum Machine or PixelFlow?

Strum Machine currently peaks at #170 in the App Store charts, and PixelFlow at #196. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*