Comparison

Polywave vs Guitar Tuner

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

Head to head
About

Polywave

Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Wavetable sequencer
  • Custom waveform drawing
  • Expansive waveform library
  • 100+ factory presets
  • MIDI and Audio Unit support
  • Live recording module
  • 8-voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

About

Guitar Tuner

Features
Read full description

Tune your guitar quickly and see exactly what the pitch is doing. Guitar Tuner listens through your microphone, detects the nearest note, and shows the measured frequency, cents deviation, tuning direction, signal confidence, and stability. Basic tuning works without an account and remains available offline. FAST, CLEAR TUNING • Start with a chromatic tuner or choose an instrument preset • Detect notes and strings automatically • See whether the pitch is low, in tune, or high • Use cents and frequency readouts for finer adjustments • Tune with Guitar Standard, Drop D, Half Step Down, and other available tunings • Set a capo position and let target notes transpose automatically MORE THAN GUITAR Use built-in presets for bass, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, and other instruments. You can also work with custom instruments, tunings, reference pitch, and temperaments. TOOLS FOR CLOSER LISTENING Explore a visual strobe tuner, precision readouts, a spectrum view, reference tones, and drone notes. Guitar-focused tools help you check intonation and compare pitch across the fretboard. Piano tools support note-by-note tuning, stretch curves, inharmonicity measurements, and unison work. SAVE YOUR WORK Create instrument profiles, record tuning sessions, review previous measurements, and compare results over time. When you need to share a session, preview and export a tuning report. BUILT FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED PLAYERS Follow guided tuning steps when you are learning, or open the detailed tools when you want more control. The interface supports iPhone and iPad, Dark Mode, Dynamic Type, and VoiceOver. Free tuning essentials are available without a subscription. Some advanced tools, extended catalogs, history, customization, and professional workflows require an automatically renewing subscription. Subscription options and prices are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://telegra.ph/Privacy-Policy-for-Guitar-Tuner-Strobe--Cents-09-10 Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Polywave4 screens
Guitar Tuner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Polywave at 4 against Guitar Tuner's 2. Polywave also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Guitar Tuner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Polywave versus Guitar Tuner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPolywaveGuitar Tuner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (34 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFingerlabINTOUCH APPS, OOO

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Polywave

One-time1
  • Full Version$11.99
2 purchases

Guitar Tuner

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Monthly$17.991 Month

Questions

Is Polywave free?
Polywave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Guitar Tuner free?
Guitar Tuner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Polywave or Guitar Tuner have ads?
Neither Polywave nor Guitar Tuner shows ads.

Other comparisons