# iKoto vs S

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iKoto at 86% against S's 31%. iKoto also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.6) and monetization model (free vs paid). S's advantage is chart position (#184 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

iKoto costs $2.99 and S $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

iKoto holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of iKoto's written reviews are positive against 31% of S's.

iKoto ships an update every 2 months, S every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iKoto | S |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ikoto/id290600207/reviews)** | [2.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-modular/id1291071549/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **11** |
| Positive reviews | **85.6% of reviews** | 31.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#184** |
| Size | 10 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GClue, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/290600210) | [Paul Betowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/538476580) |

## What reviewers say

### iKoto

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ikoto/id290600207)

Experience the traditional Japanese Koto (harp) on your iPhone. This app allows you to play oriental melodies, record your performances, and utilize features like tone scale changes and pitch bends. Enjoy a selection of sample music and export your recordings.

**Highlights:** Virtual Koto instrument, Recording function, Tone scale changes, Pitch-bend function, WAV file export via WiFi, Preset tone scales, Sample music included

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Beautiful, authentic koto sound quality
- 👍 Easy to use interface for beginners
- 🎹 Multiple tuning scales available
- 🎚️ Pitch bend functionality for expression
- 💾 Recording and playback features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes on launch or during use
- 🔇 Sound not working in certain conditions
- 📵 Requires phone to be unmuted to function
- 🎚️ Tuning selection UI displays as blank/white text
- 📱 Display scaling issues on various devices

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup or immediately after opening
- Sound output fails without clear cause
- Tuning selection screen displays blank/white text
- Unable to change tuning modes
- App crashes when entering settings or changing notes

**Requested features**

- Custom tuning/string adjustment capability
- Support for modern music scales and genres
- More pre-recorded demo songs
- Ability to save unlimited recordings
- MIDI file import/export functionality


### S

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-modular/id1291071549)

**Currently charting:** #184 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This semi-modular synthesizer app for iPad offers a hands-on sound design experience with a single-screen interface for intuitive patching. It delivers a warm, vintage sound inspired by 1970s synthesizers, featuring dual oscillators, resonant filters, and multiple modulation sources.

**Highlights:** Single-screen interface, Fast, hands-on patching, Vintage 1970s synth sound, Dual oscillators, Resonant ladder filter, Multiple modulation sources

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iKoto free?

iKoto costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is S free?

S costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iKoto or S?

iKoto is rated higher. iKoto averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while S averages 2.6 from 11 ratings.

### Do iKoto or S have ads?

Neither iKoto nor S shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iKoto or S?

iKoto ships an update every 2 months, and S every 7 months. Most recently, iKoto was updated on October 13, 2026 and S on October 7, 2026.

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