# Pianoteq 8 vs Scale Explorer

The clearest difference is update cadence: Scale Explorer at weekly against Pianoteq 8's every 2 months. Pianoteq 8's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pianoteq 8 sells 28 one-off in-app purchases and Scale Explorer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pianoteq 8 ships an update every 2 months, Scale Explorer weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pianoteq 8 | Scale Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (133 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianoteq-8/id1642344241/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **133** | — |
| Positive reviews | 74.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 54 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Modartt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1363148724) | [Johannes Langoy](https://appshunter.io/developer/6778055038) |

## What reviewers say

### Pianoteq 8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianoteq-8/id1642344241)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (28)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use existing licence | Free | one-time |
| Upgrade to latest version | $29.99 | one-time |
| Grand C. Bechstein DG | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Blüthner | $49.99 | one-time |
| Celeste | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Grotrian | $49.99 | one-time |
| Electric Pianos | $49.99 | one-time |
| Hohner Collection | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Petrof | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Steingraeber | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Steinway B | $49.99 | one-time |
| Upright U4 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand YC5 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Classical Guitar | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand K2 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX | $49.99 | one-time |
| Vibes: Vibraphones V-B & V-M | $49.99 | one-time |
| Harp | $49.99 | one-time |
| Harpsichord | $49.99 | one-time |
| Kremsegg collection 1 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Steinway D | $49.99 | one-time |
| Karsten collection | $49.99 | one-time |
| Kremsegg collection 2 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Bösendorfer 280VC | $49.99 | one-time |
| Steelpans | $49.99 | one-time |
| Stage to Standard | $129.99 | one-time |
| Standard to Pro | $129.99 | one-time |
| Pianoteq STAGE | $139.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Realistic piano sounds
- 💻 Cross-platform compatibility
- 💡 Physical modeling technology
- 🤏 Small app size
- 🎹 High playability and expressiveness

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive pricing
- 🤔 Steep price for casual users
- 🛒 Difficult purchase process
- 💻 Requires additional license slot
- 👎 Terrible user interface

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

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


### Scale Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scale-explorer/id6778055036)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Access | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pianoteq 8 free?

Pianoteq 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Scale Explorer free?

Scale Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Pianoteq 8 or Scale Explorer have ads?

Neither Pianoteq 8 nor Scale Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pianoteq 8 or Scale Explorer?

Pianoteq 8 ships an update every 2 months, and Scale Explorer weekly. Most recently, Pianoteq 8 was updated on September 22, 2026 and Scale Explorer on September 9, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*