Comparison

Harmonica vs Harmonica University

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

Head to head
About

Harmonica

This app simulates a 10-hole diatonic harmonica with genuinely sampled notes. It allows for single notes, chords, and bend notes across all 12 keys, playable by touch or finger. It's a fun and portable way to create harmonica music.

Highlights
  • Genuinely sampled 10-hole diatonic harmonica
  • Play single notes and chords
  • Supports "blow", "draw", and "bend" notes
  • Includes all 12 keys
  • Playable by touch or finger
Features
Read full description

Harmonica was featured as one of the iTunes Top 10 Paid Music Apps of 2008. In 2018, it’s back and better than ever before. Harmonica features a genuinely-sampled 10-hole diatonic harmonica. Both single notes and chords are playable, as are “blow”, “draw”, and “bend” notes. Harmonica includes all 12 keys—it’s like having 12 harmonicas in your pocket! Harmonica couldn’t be simpler to use. Simply touch your lips to the Harmonica and play away. You don’t even need to blow! If you’d prefer not to put your iPhone in your mouth, Harmonica works with your fingers too. Whether you use it to make your friends laugh, impress that special someone, or to annoy your co-workers, Harmonica is indispensable.

About

Harmonica University

Master the diatonic harmonica with structured lessons, songs, and exercises. This app guides beginners to advanced players through essential techniques, blues styles, and improvisation.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step lessons
  • Harmonica tabs and videos
  • Riffs, licks, and songs
  • Blues harmonica techniques
  • Improvisation training
  • Practice tools
Features
Read full description

Want to learn how to play the harmonica? Harmonica University is the ultimate harmonica learning app for beginners, intermediate players, and advanced musicians. Whether you want to play blues, rock, folk, country, jazz or modern styles, this all-in-one platform gives you everything you need to master the harmonica faster. Created by a professional session harmonica player and teacher, Harmonica University combines step-by-step lessons, songs, sheet music, riffs, exercises, tablature, videos, and practice tools into one powerful learning system. If you’ve always wanted to learn harmonica but didn’t know where to start, this app makes it simple, structured, and fun. Follow a clear learning path that teaches the essential skills every harmonica player needs: • Harmonica basics and beginner techniques • Playing clean single notes and great tone • Blues harmonica fundamentals • Bending notes (the most important blues technique) • Harmonica breathing techniques • Rhythm, groove, and timing • Improvisation and jamming • Riffs, licks, and classic harmonica phrases • Playing songs on harmonica • Scales and music theory for harmonica players • Instrument maintenance and customization Whether you're picking up a harmonica for the first time or leveling up your skills, Harmonica University gives you a clear roadmap to follow. Massive Library of Harmonica Lessons: Inside the app you’ll find a growing collection of lessons covering... • Beginner harmonica lessons • Blues harmonica training • Harmonica riffs and licks • Songs and practice exercises • Beatbox harmonica techniques • Improvisation training • Music theory for harmonica • Bending mastery • Advanced techniques like overblows and overdraws Lessons include audio, video, tabs, and detailed explanations so you always know exactly what to play. Easy-to-Read Harmonica Tabs: Learn songs, riffs, and solos quickly using clear harmonica tablature (tabs). Tabs show exactly which holes to play and when, making it one of the easiest ways to start playing real music on harmonica. Unlike generic music apps, Harmonica University is designed specifically for harmonica players. Features include: • Audio demonstrations and play-along tracks • Clear and detailed harmonica tabs • Technique breakdowns and exercises • Structured lesson paths • Song-based learning so you can start making music quickly Learn Blues Harmonica: The harmonica is famous for its soulful blues sound. Learn how to bend notes, play blues scales, create expressive riffs, and improvise over blues progressions. Perfect For: • Complete beginners learning their first harmonica • Intermediate players improving tone and technique • Musicians adding harmonica to their skill set • Blues lovers who want to master blues harmonica • Anyone who wants to jam, improvise, or write riffs Download Harmonica University today and level up big time. INFORMATION ABOUT THE APP AND PURCHASE OPTIONS By signing up, you will get access to subscription(s) that include features such as progress tracking, and offline sync. The download of Harmonica University is free of charge. Should you use Harmonica University app to access in-app content, we offer one of the following options: Subscription based plan(s) - a recurring payment will be charged to your credit card after the trial period ends and when a subscription renews. A subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period. There is no increase in price when renewing. Subscription(s) can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in the App Store after purchase. One-time purchase based plan(s) - a payment will be charged to your credit card only once. Read our full Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy: https://passion.io/terms-of-service https://passion.io/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Harmonica4 screens
Harmonica University4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Harmonica University at Free against Harmonica's $0.99. Harmonica University also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Harmonica's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 28). On review sentiment 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

Harmonica University is free to download; Harmonica costs $0.99 up front. Harmonica University sells 28 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Harmonica asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Harmonica holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Harmonica has 67 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Harmonica's written reviews are positive against 75% of Harmonica University's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Harmonica ships an update every 5 months, Harmonica University every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Harmonica versus Harmonica University: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHarmonicaHarmonica University
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (67 ratings) — better3.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews76.0% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings67 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB91 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPocketglow LLCMusic Box Music LLC

Customer experience

Harmonica

All ratings67 ratings
Positive76.1%
Neutral10.4%
Negative13.4%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral11.5%
Negative12.5%

Harmonica University

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Harmonica

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional crashes
  • Unresponsive at times

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add auto replay feature for easy repetition
  • Allow changing song playback speed
  • Add more song options beyond public domain and gospel songs
  • Add ability to change key/tuning
  • Add vibrato and bending effects
Show 1 more
  • Allow recording and saving custom songs

Harmonica University

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Harmonica

No in-app purchases

28 purchases

Harmonica University

Subscriptions25
  • Hobbyist14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Bendr Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Bryn Fan$10.001 Month
Show 22 more
  • Starter7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Harmonica Only$19.991 Month
  • Harmonica Mastery$19.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership$19.991 Month
  • Omega$25.001 Month
  • Macro (monthly) 30-day$29.001 Month
  • Standard7 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • PRO14 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • Beginner$29.991 Month
  • BENDR Subscription14 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • BENDR Special Offer$29.991 Month
  • Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Month
  • Elite7 Days trial$49.991 Month
  • Advanced$49.991 Month
  • Bryn Fan (annual)$60.001 Year
  • Annual$97.001 Year
  • Annual Membership$99.001 Year
  • BENDR Annual$99.001 Year
  • Harmonica Only (annual)$196.991 Year
  • Annual DIY$196.991 Year
  • Omega (annual)$229.001 Month
  • Macro (30-day trial)$229.001 Year
One-time3
  • Beginners Course Bundle$97.00
  • Intermediate Bundle$196.99
  • Gold Course Bundle$299.00

Questions

Is Harmonica free?
Harmonica costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Harmonica University free?
Harmonica University is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Harmonica or Harmonica University?
Harmonica is rated higher. Harmonica averages 4.2 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while Harmonica University averages 3.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Harmonica or Harmonica University have ads?
Harmonica University shows ads; Harmonica does not.
Which is updated more often, Harmonica or Harmonica University?
Harmonica ships an update every 5 months, and Harmonica University every 2 months. Most recently, Harmonica was updated on October 11, 2026 and Harmonica University on September 30, 2026.

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