Comparison

Pulsar vs ToneKnob TinyAmp

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

Head to head
About

Pulsar

This music app provides a virtual drum machine with 8 pads for improvising and playing along to built-in rhythm presets. It features real-time rhythm switching, tempo control, and various effects. It also supports Ableton Link and MIDI for seamless integration with other music software and hardware.

Highlights
  • 8-pad drum machine
  • Built-in rhythm presets
  • Real-time rhythm switching
  • Tempo and accent control
  • Drive, reverb, and filter effects
  • Ableton Link synchronization
  • MIDI In/Out support
  • AUv3 compatibility
Features
Read full description

Make beats anywhere with Pulsar-ES, an authentic preset drum machine expanded into a mobile groovebox for iPhone and iPad. Inspired by the rare Soviet/Ukrainian PULSAR hardware, Pulsar-ES keeps the original industrial rhythm-box character while adding the missing modern features producers expect: MIDI editing, deeper FX, Ableton Link sync, AUv3 workflow, and mobile project control. Play ideas fast on the 4x2 drum pad grid, then turn them into full patterns with the MIDI Clip Editor. Draw, move, and resize notes directly on the grid so your rhythm stays editable after the first take. Shape your sound with a hands-on FX rack built for quick decisions: - Filter with low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and notch modes - Reverb with room, hall, and plate spaces - Overdrive with overdrive, distortion, fuzz, and tube modes - Delay with digital, tape, and ping-pong modes - Chorus and compressor for extra movement and control Pulsar-ES also supports Ableton Link sync, project save/load, rhythm presets, and a portrait layout designed for making music on the go. Start a beat, edit every note, shape it with FX, and keep your ideas moving.

About

ToneKnob TinyAmp

Features
Read full description

The world’s tiniest 4-channel guitar amp plugin — now with a built-in backing track player and idea recorder. From clean jazz tones to classic rock crunch and modern metal leads, TinyAmp gives you studio-ready amp sounds in a single knob turn. Featuring built-in cab sims, ambience, and smart practice tools, it’s perfect for home practice, quick songwriting, demos, and capturing inspiration whenever it strikes. TinyAmp needs an external audio interface (e.g. iRig) to process your guitar signal.

Screenshots

Pulsar4 screens
ToneKnob TinyAmp4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ToneKnob TinyAmp at Free against Pulsar's $4.99. Pulsar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

ToneKnob TinyAmp is free to download; Pulsar costs $4.99 up front. ToneKnob TinyAmp sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pulsar asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pulsar ships an update every 3 weeks, ToneKnob TinyAmp monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Pulsar versus ToneKnob TinyAmp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPulsarToneKnob TinyAmp
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDmytro KiroAUDIFIED

In-app purchases

None

Pulsar

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ToneKnob TinyAmp

One-time1
  • ToneKnob TinyAmp Full Version$12.99

Questions

Is Pulsar free?
Pulsar costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ToneKnob TinyAmp free?
ToneKnob TinyAmp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pulsar or ToneKnob TinyAmp have ads?
Neither Pulsar nor ToneKnob TinyAmp shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pulsar or ToneKnob TinyAmp?
Pulsar ships an update every 3 weeks, and ToneKnob TinyAmp monthly. Most recently, Pulsar was updated on October 17, 2026 and ToneKnob TinyAmp on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons