Comparison

Flux Mini 2 vs Pianoteq 8

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

Head to head
About

Flux Mini 2

This audio effect app allows you to add dynamic modulation to your music tracks. Create custom shapes to control various parameters like filter cutoff, resonance, amplitude, and mix for rhythmic and expressive sound sculpting.

Highlights
  • Customizable modulation graph
  • Modulate filter cutoff, resonance, amplitude, and mix
  • Control modulation amount with sliders
  • Output graph as MIDI CC messages
  • Fix graph to milliseconds or host tempo
  • Control curve shape with 2 control points
  • 22 pre-loaded presets
Read full description

Flux Mini 2 is an AUv3 audio effect that adds life, character and dynamism to your tracks. The customisable graph creates a shape which can be used to modulate filter cutoff, filter resonance, amplitude and mix. Just create a shape on the graph and set your desired amount of modulation using the slider beneath each parameter to hear great rhythmic effects. New in Flux Mini 2: control multiple parameters at once, fix the graph to milliseconds as well as the host tempo, output the graph as MIDI CC messages and control the shape of curves with 2 control points! From simple side-chains to manic modulations, sculpt some life into your sounds - flux it up and have some fluxing fun! Pre-loaded with 22 presets to get you going, it won’t be long before you’ve built a plethora of shapes to accentuate your fantastic music.

About

Pianoteq 8

This virtual instrument uses advanced physical modeling to generate realistic sounds for a wide range of instruments, including pianos, electric pianos, and guitars. It offers compact file sizes and faithful sound reproduction, making it ideal for musicians on the go. Connect a MIDI device and start playing, or use it as a plugin in other music applications.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling sound generation
  • Simulates pianos, electric pianos, guitars, and more
  • Realistic playability
  • Compact file size
  • Works as a plugin
  • MIDI device compatible
Features
Read full description

PIANOTEQ: THE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT Pianoteq is an award-winning virtual instrument that simulates a wide range of instruments including pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, vibraphones, guitars, steel drums, and more, using advanced physical modeling. Unlike traditional virtual instruments that use recorded sounds, Pianoteq generates sounds in real-time by calculating the physics of how strings vibrate and how the soundboard radiates sound. Why Pianoteq Stands Out: - Realistic Playability: By modeling the physical properties of instruments, Pianoteq replicates the playability and complex behavior of real acoustic instruments. - Compact Size: Without large samples, Pianoteq's file size is much smaller than other virtual instruments, making it ideal for your iOS device. Trusted by the Best: Steinway, KAWAI, Bösendorfer, C. Bechstein, Petrof, Steingraeber, Grotrian, Blüthner, and Hohner have all endorsed Pianoteq for its faithful sound reproduction. Getting Started: - Connect a MIDI device to your iPad/iPhone. - Launch Pianoteq. - Start playing! Pianoteq also works as a plugin in any Audio Unit host application, such as GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Camelot, and more. Note: All instruments run in demo mode (with some keys disabled) until you purchase a Pianoteq STAGE license (unlocks two instruments) or link to an existing Pianoteq user account with a valid license. Licenses purchased on the App Store are valid across other supported platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux).

Screenshots

Flux Mini 23 screens
Pianoteq 83 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Flux Mini 2 at none against Pianoteq 8's 10. Flux Mini 2 also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Pianoteq 8's advantage is ratings volume (133 vs 35). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

Both are free to download. Pianoteq 8 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Flux Mini 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Flux Mini 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 133 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Flux Mini 2's written reviews are positive against 74% of Pianoteq 8's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flux Mini 2 ships an update fortnightly, Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Flux Mini 2 versus Pianoteq 8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlux Mini 2Pianoteq 8
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (35 ratings) — better4.6 (133 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better73.6% of reviews
Number of ratings35133 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCaelum Audio LtdModartt

Customer experience

Flux Mini 2

All ratings35 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

Pianoteq 8

All ratings133 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive73.6%
Neutral4.4%
Negative22.0%

Bugs and requests

Flux Mini 2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Pianoteq 8

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Some keys do not work
  • Significant latency issues
  • Cannot activate due to missing serial number
  • Stuttering audio on iOS
  • App not updated for new iOS
Show 3 more
  • Impossible to order from App Store
  • Bug in purchase through App Store
  • MIDI file saving not working

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Yamaha p125 instrument
  • iPad only version
  • Add second row of keyboard
  • Increase/decrease number of visible keys

In-app purchases

None

Flux Mini 2

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Pianoteq 8

One-time10
  • Use existing licenceFree
  • Upgrade to latest version$29.99
  • Electric Pianos$49.99
Show 7 more
  • Hohner Collection$49.99
  • Classical Guitar$49.99
  • Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX$49.99
  • Grand Bösendorfer 280VC$49.99
  • Stage to Standard$129.99
  • Standard to Pro$129.99
  • Pianoteq STAGE$139.00

Questions

Is Flux Mini 2 free?
Flux Mini 2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pianoteq 8 free?
Pianoteq 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Flux Mini 2 or Pianoteq 8?
Flux Mini 2 is rated higher. Flux Mini 2 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while Pianoteq 8 averages 4.6 from 133 ratings.
Do Flux Mini 2 or Pianoteq 8 have ads?
Neither Flux Mini 2 nor Pianoteq 8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flux Mini 2 or Pianoteq 8?
Flux Mini 2 ships an update fortnightly, and Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. Most recently, Flux Mini 2 was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pianoteq 8 on November 3, 2026.

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