Comparison

Pianist vs Guitar Sim

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

Head to head
About

Pianist

Experience a realistic piano on your mobile device with a full 88-key keyboard. Record, overdub, and save your musical compositions. Features include virtual pedals, dual keyboard layout, and a configurable metronome for practice.

Highlights
  • Full 88 key piano keyboard
  • Record and save compositions
  • Overdubbing and note removal
  • Virtual soft and sustain pedals
  • Dual keyboard layout
  • Configurable metronome
Features
Read full description

The first widely available mobile multi-touch piano, Pianist has been featured in a number of Apple advertising campaigns and was one of the 'Awesome iOS4 Apps' in an Apple iTunes promotion. Sound On Sound magazine listed Pianist in its pick of the Top 20 iPhone Apps, and T3 Magazine in its Top 100 iPhone Apps. Pianist has also been recommended by media sources such as the Mail On Sunday and Fox News. Pianist is considered so influential that it has now been listed as one of three examples of musical instrument apps in the primary academic reference: "The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments". - Full 88 key piano keyboard sampled from a real piano for maximum authenticity. - Record and save your compositions for later playback. Overdub as many times as you want, and remove unwanted notes. - Virtual "Soft" and "Sustain" pedals, and expression depending on where you press the key. - Optional dual keyboard layout allows you to reach even more keys without the need to scroll. Up to four octaves can be displayed and played at once. - Stay in time with a completely configurable metronome. To take your music creation to the next step, be sure to also check out our new app: Looptical Music Studio.

About

Guitar Sim

Features
Read full description

Experience the Ultimate Guitar Simulator on Your Mobile Device! Step into the world of guitar music, one of the most expressive and widely loved instruments, with Guitar Sim! This app delivers authentic and high-quality guitar sounds, offering a realistic and inspiring experience for musicians, learners, and guitar enthusiasts. Featuring three distinct sound groups—Acoustic, Bass, and Rock, Guitar Sim allows you to explore a wide range of musical styles. With advanced features like microtonal tuning, transpose adjustment, reverb effects, chorus mode, and dynamic key sensitivity, Guitar Sim provides unmatched musical freedom at your fingertips. About the Guitar The guitar is one of the most versatile and expressive string instruments, used across classical, jazz, rock, pop, and folk music. Whether strumming chords, plucking melodies, or playing intricate solos, the guitar’s wide tonal range and deep emotional impact make it a favorite instrument worldwide. Why You’ll Love Guitar Sim Three Unique Guitar Sound Groups Acoustic Guitar: Rich and natural tones perfect for classical, folk, and unplugged performances. Bass Guitar: Deep and resonant bass tones, ideal for rhythm sections and groove-based music. Rock Guitar: Powerful and distorted tones, bringing the energy of electric guitars into your music. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability Microtonal Tuning: Adjust pitches for traditional and experimental scales, ideal for world music and microtonal compositions. Transpose Adjustment: Easily shift keys to match your musical preferences or play along with other instruments. Reverb Effects: Add depth and atmosphere to your performance with adjustable reverb. Chorus Mode: Layer your notes with rich harmonies, creating a fuller and more dynamic sound. Dynamic Key Sensitivity: Play with natural expression—soft presses produce quieter tones, while harder presses deliver louder, more powerful notes. Customizable Interface Adjust the layout and sensitivity to match your playing style. Whether you’re learning scales, fingerpicking, or performing energetic solos, Guitar Sim adapts effortlessly to your needs. Record Your Performances Capture your guitar music effortlessly with the built-in recorder. Perfect for revisiting practice sessions, composing new pieces, or sharing your artistry. Share Your Music Easily share your guitar performances with friends, family, or audiences worldwide, showcasing the versatility of this beloved instrument. What Makes Guitar Sim Unique? Authentic Sound: Every note replicates the natural and expressive tones of a real guitar, enhanced with advanced playability features. Innovative Controls: Explore microtonal tuning, transpose settings, reverb effects, and dynamic sensitivity for a fully customizable experience. Elegant Design: A sleek, intuitive interface ensures a seamless experience for musicians of all levels. Creative Freedom: Whether playing acoustic melodies, deep bass grooves, or high-energy rock riffs, Guitar Sim offers endless possibilities for musical expression. Download Guitar Sim today and bring the timeless sound of the guitar to your fingertips! Unleash your creativity and make beautiful music, whether you're in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, or Japan.

Screenshots

Pianist4 screens
Guitar Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Guitar Sim at Free against Pianist's $3.99. Pianist's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence 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

Guitar Sim is free to download; Pianist costs $3.99 up front. Guitar Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pianist asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pianist ships an update every 6 months, Guitar Sim every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pianist versus Guitar Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPianistGuitar Sim
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews68.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMooCowMusic Ltd.Alper Kahriman

Bugs and requests

Pianist

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Keyboard gets stuck or changes configuration
  • App freezes or crashes after extended use
  • Sustain pedal not functioning properly
  • Bluetooth speaker connectivity issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for iPhone 5/newer displays
  • Implement MIDI export/import
  • Integrate with music streaming apps
  • Expand sound library with more instruments
  • Improve scrolling and key accessibility

Guitar Sim

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Pianist

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Guitar Sim

One-time1
  • Get Premium$6.99

Questions

Is Pianist free?
Pianist costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Guitar Sim free?
Guitar Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pianist or Guitar Sim have ads?
Guitar Sim shows ads; Pianist does not.
Which is updated more often, Pianist or Guitar Sim?
Pianist ships an update every 6 months, and Guitar Sim every 4 months. Most recently, Pianist was updated on October 29, 2026 and Guitar Sim on October 4, 2026.

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