# iKoto vs DronePlayer

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iKoto at 86% against DronePlayer's 38%. iKoto also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.8) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

iKoto costs $2.99 and DronePlayer $4.99 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 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of iKoto's written reviews are positive against 38% of DronePlayer's.

iKoto ships an update every 2 months, DronePlayer every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iKoto | DronePlayer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ikoto/id290600207/reviews)** | [1.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/droneplayer/id442007897/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **85.6% of reviews** | 37.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 10 MB | 57 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) | [tingjing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/442007900) |

## 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


### DronePlayer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/droneplayer/id442007897)

This app provides a practice tool for musicians to improvise over sustained tones, known as drones. It helps develop ear training and musical ideas by allowing users to mute drone voices for focused practice or add multiple drones for a richer experience.

**Highlights:** Improvisation practice tool, Extended tonality practice, Ear training development, Muteable drone voices, Multiple drone options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iKoto free?

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

### Is DronePlayer free?

DronePlayer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

iKoto is rated higher. iKoto averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while DronePlayer averages 1.8 from 5 ratings.

### Do iKoto or DronePlayer have ads?

Neither iKoto nor DronePlayer shows ads.

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

iKoto ships an update every 2 months, and DronePlayer every 4 months. Most recently, iKoto was updated on October 13, 2026 and DronePlayer on September 21, 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.*