Comparison

Ocarina vs Saxophone Sim

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

Head to head
About

Ocarina

Transform your device into a virtual flute and create music with intuitive touch and breath controls. Explore a global community of players, share your performances, and access a vast library of popular song scores.

Highlights
  • Virtual ocarina instrument
  • Breath and touch controls
  • Global player community
  • Performance sharing
  • Online songbook
  • Customizable keys and modes
Read full description

One of Apple's All-Time Top 20 Apps, Smule’s Ocarina turns your iPhone into an ancient flute. With no musical training required, you'll blow away your friends and family with your new talent. "If everyone had the Ocarina app there would be no more wars" - David Pogue "One of the most original entertainment programs to emerge from the App Store" - Wall Street Journal "Ocarina is one of the most magical programs I've ever seen" - NY Times ___________________________ Sensitive to your breath, touch and movements, Ocarina is more versatile than an actual flute: • Blow air into your mic to create music • Touch combinations of holes to play notes • Tilt to change vibrato rate and depth • Advanced users can change keys and modes, including C-Major and Zeldarian mode With Ocarina, you can also hear people learning to play around the world: • Listen in on Ocarina players all over the world just by tapping the globe icon • Rate your favorite performances • Name your Ocarina so others can listen to you play • Share your favorite performances with family and friends via e-mail • Record and archive your favorite performances on your own “My Ocarina” web page ___________________________ Ocarina fans from all over the world have posted hundreds of free easy–to-read scores for popular songs. Just go to http://ocarina.smule.com and click on 'Songbook'. Top Songs: Theme from Zelda Amazing Grace Theme from Harry Potter My Heart Will Go On Mario Brothers Theme Zelda's Lullaby Poker Face ___________________________ Watch some great (and not so great) Ocarina performances on YouTube: www.youtube.com/smuleage Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/smule Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/smule Try other Smule apps: iPad: Magic Fiddle, Magic Piano & Glee Karaoke iPhone/iPod: I Am T-Pain, Glee Karaoke, Leaf Trombone, Sonic Lighter & Zephyr

About

Saxophone Sim

Experience the soulful sound of the saxophone on your mobile device. This app offers realistic tones, advanced features like microtonal tuning and reverb, and multiple play modes for musicians and enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Authentic saxophone sounds
  • Microtonal tuning
  • Transpose adjustment
  • Reverb and chorus effects
  • Dynamic key sensitivity
  • Built-in recorder
  • Multiple play modes
Features
Read full description

Dive into the world of the saxophone, a versatile and soulful instrument known for its wide range of tones and emotional depth. Saxophone Sim brings the authentic sound and feel of the saxophone to your fingertips, offering a realistic and inspiring platform for musicians, learners, and music enthusiasts. With advanced features like microtonal tuning, transpose adjustment, reverb effects, chorus mode, and dynamic key sensitivity, Saxophone Sim provides an unparalleled musical experience. About the Saxophone The saxophone is a woodwind instrument celebrated for its rich, resonant tone and incredible versatility. A staple in jazz, classical, rock, and pop music, the saxophone’s dynamic range makes it equally suited for powerful solos and smooth harmonies. Its ability to express emotion and capture attention has made it a favorite for musicians and audiences worldwide. Why You’ll Love Saxophone Sim Authentic Saxophone Sounds Enjoy meticulously sampled saxophone tones that capture the instrument’s warm, vibrant, and expressive character. Perfect for jazz improvisation, classical pieces, or contemporary compositions. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability Microtonal Tuning: Adjust pitches for traditional and experimental scales, perfect for Middle Eastern, Indian, or avant-garde music. 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 suit your playing style. Whether you’re learning scales or performing intricate solos, Saxophone Sim adapts effortlessly to your needs. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Combine notes to create rich, layered melodies and harmonies. Single Note Mode: Focus on individual tones to refine your technique and master saxophone-specific articulations. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural fade-out effect for smooth and authentic performances. Record Your Performances Capture your saxophone music effortlessly with the built-in recorder. Perfect for revisiting your practice sessions, composing new pieces, or sharing your artistry. Share Your Music Easily share your saxophone performances with friends, family, or audiences worldwide, showcasing the versatility of this iconic instrument. What Makes Saxophone Sim Unique? True-to-Life Sound: Every note replicates the expressive tones of a real saxophone, 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 smooth jazz, bold rock solos, or experimental sounds, Saxophone Sim offers endless possibilities for musical expression. Download Saxophone Sim today and let the soulful tones of the saxophone inspire your music!

Screenshots

Ocarina3 screens
Saxophone Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Saxophone Sim at 4.3 against Ocarina's 3.6. Ocarina's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Saxophone Sim sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Ocarina asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Saxophone Sim holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 138 and 80 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Ocarina versus Saxophone Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOcarinaSaxophone Sim
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (138 ratings)4.3 (80 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings138 — better80
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB167 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperSmuleAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Ocarina

All ratings138 ratings
Positive64.5%
Neutral6.5%
Negative29.0%
Written reviews1,211 reviews
Positive78.4%
Neutral6.7%
Negative14.9%

Saxophone Sim

All ratings78 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral1.3%
Negative15.4%

Bugs and requests

Ocarina

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Microphone not working properly
  • Buttons not registering properly
  • Frequent crashes on newer devices
  • Compatibility issues with iPhone 4/4S
  • Random notes playing unexpectedly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more instrument sounds
  • Implement recording and sharing features
  • Provide in-app song sheets and tutorials
  • Add more holes/notes for better playability
  • Improve global community features

Saxophone Sim

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Ocarina

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Saxophone Sim

One-time2
  • Remove Ads$9.99
  • Get Premium$9.99

Questions

Is Ocarina free?
Ocarina is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Saxophone Sim free?
Saxophone Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ocarina or Saxophone Sim?
Saxophone Sim is rated higher. Ocarina averages 3.6 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while Saxophone Sim averages 4.3 from 80 ratings.
Do Ocarina or Saxophone Sim have ads?
Saxophone Sim shows ads; Ocarina does not.
Which is updated more often, Ocarina or Saxophone Sim?
Ocarina ships an update every 2 months, and Saxophone Sim every 2 months. Most recently, Ocarina was updated on October 31, 2026 and Saxophone Sim on November 4, 2026.

Other comparisons