Comparison

iStroboSoft vs Handy Recorder PRO

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

Head to head
About

iStroboSoft

This application provides highly accurate tuning for musical instruments, offering professional-grade precision with a real-time strobe display. It supports various tuning modes, temperaments, and input methods, making it suitable for both acoustic and electric instruments.

Highlights
  • 1/10th cent accuracy
  • Real-time strobe display
  • Guided Mode Tuning
  • 12 Temperaments with adjustable root
  • Assisted Low Note Detection
  • Drop/Capo mode
  • Adjustable Concert A
Features
Read full description

Usage questions? ***Please contact us before posting an issue in the reviews.*** Peterson Support at info@strobosoft.com or call 708.388.3311 M-F 8am-5pm (CST) TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS FOR OVER 70 YEARS. ---iStroboSoft for iOS--- Peterson Strobe Tuners' popular StroboSoft tuning application for iPhone and iPad. iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Plug in and tune your electrics and acoustics quickly and easily with 1/10th cent accuracy. Peterson Tuners has offered tuning solutions for over 70 years and is the only company specializing in hardware and software tuning products for all levels of musicians. FEATURES: • Stand-by mode to reduce battery usage or freeze the display. • Guided Mode Tuning offers an alternate strobe display that slows the strobe bands one-by-one as you come closer to tune. • Speed control for strobe display; dampen the response for a longer note display. • 12 Temperaments with adjustable root control. • Display all sharps note display. • Assisted Low Note Detection (ALND) helps capture very low frequencies. • Mains hum filter option reduces the chances of the tuner latching on to 50 or 60Hz cycle hum when using a direct line-in connection or while using the app during device charging. • Smooth, real-time strobe display allows you to achieve an unmatched level of accuracy. • Note/Octave window displays the correct note and octave for the note being tuned. • Cents display allows you to see how far out of tune your note is in cent values. • Tune in auto or manual mode. • Toggle the display to show: cents, Hz, MIDI note value for the note being tuned. • Glowing flat/sharp indicators assist when tuning a note very far from the target position. • Noise filter: Use the noise filter when utilizing an external mic or clip-on tuning device to help reduce the effect of extraneous environmental noise during tuning. • Input boost: The input boost will raise all input frequencies by +24dB. • Calibration mode: iStroboSoft can be calibrated to an external source guaranteeing 1/10th cent accuracy. • Drop/Capo mode: iStroboSoft will auto-transpose notes up or down to one full octave. • Adjustable Concert A: Change the Concert A reference of the tuner to accommodate tuning to a fixed instrument, such as a piano, or tune instruments that do not utilize the typical Western A440 reference. • Full screen mode permits the strobe display to be maximized on screen to allow better viewing from a distance. • Change strobe display colors to accommodate different lighting environments or set a preferred user color for those with limited color palette recognition. Use the built-in mic on your device for tuning or connect directly via the headphone jack using an approved adaptor cable or interface. Devices without a headphone jack can connect a pickup or mic using the lightning-to-audio adaptor. Support via email at: info@strobosoft.com or call 708.388.3311 M-F 8am-5pm (CST)

About

Handy Recorder PRO

Record high-quality audio with advanced editing tools and effects. Easily share your creations to cloud services or merge audio with video. Optimized for specific microphones, it offers a professional recording experience on your iOS device.

Highlights
  • High-quality stereo recording (PCM/AAC)
  • EQ, reverb, and mastering effects
  • File editing (normalize, divide)
  • Cloud service uploads (SoundCloud, iCloud)
  • Video audio track extraction and merging
  • AUTO REC function
Features
Read full description

Handy Recorder PRO is an audio recording app with greatly expanded expandability. In addition to the functions of the free version of Handy Recorder, it supports a File browser app and iOS standard sharing function to enhance the convenience of linking with other apps, various cloud services, and PCs. As a unique new feature, we have added a "MOVIE" function that takes an audio track from a video, applies various effects such as EQ and reverb, and then merges it with the original video. ◇ Same high-quality sound recorder function as the free version The HandyRecorder app allows you to record high-quality audio with your iOS device. Use it with a ZOOM iQ series mic, which are designed to capture audio of the best quality with iOS devices, and record using the high-fidelity linear PCM and space-saving AAC formats. This app includes normalize and divide functions that can be used on recorded files. In addition, it has compressor, EQ and reverb effects. Moreover, you can directly upload your recordings from Handy Recorder to the iCloud and SoundCloud file-sharing site, allowing you to bring your creations to the world over the Internet. Features ■ Stereo linear PCM and AAC recording -You can record files using either high-quality linear PCM format or AAC format at a bit rate of 64, 128 or 160 kbps. -The AUTO REC function can be used to start and stop recording automatically in response to the input signal level. ■ Works like a hardware recorder -The operation screen was designed to simulate a ZOOM hardware Handy Recorder, so this app is as easy to operate as these products. ■ Effects -Recorded files can be processed using the included effects. •6 BAND EQ •REVERB (ROOM, JAZZ CLUB, CONCERT HALL, ARENA, STADIUM) •MASTERING (MAXIMIZE, ULTRA MAXIMIZE, CLEAR & POWER, WIDE, MONO) -Pro+C8cessed recordings can also be saved as separate files. -Use the NORMALIZE function to optimize the volume. ■File editing -In addition to deleting files, you can use the divide function to split files at the point that you want. ■Uploading to Cloud Services -The app includes a function that allows you to upload your recordings directly to the SoundCloud audio-sharing site. You can name your recordings and make sharing settings in the Handy Recorder app. -iCloud drive is supported. Not only uploading selected file manually, but also “Auto Sync” function allows you to upload automatically soon after REC finished. ■Optimized for the iQ series -By using the iQ5/iQ7 in MS recording mode, you can adjust the stereo width. -Select from three iQ5's AUTO GAIN settings (CONCERT, SOLO, MEETING) according to the application.* -Use the DIRECT MONITOR function to monitor the input signal through the headphones jack on the iQ series without latency -The left and right channels of the iQ series input signal can be reversed.* *These setting are saved in the iQ series mic itself and will be applied when using it with other apps. For more information, please visit our website. www.zoomcorp.com

Screenshots

iStroboSoft4 screens
Handy Recorder PRO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iStroboSoft at 76% against Handy Recorder PRO's 24%. iStroboSoft also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.3) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). Handy Recorder PRO's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $9.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 11). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

iStroboSoft costs $9.99 and Handy Recorder PRO $1.99 up front. iStroboSoft sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Handy Recorder PRO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iStroboSoft holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iStroboSoft has 298 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of iStroboSoft's written reviews are positive against 24% of Handy Recorder PRO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iStroboSoft ships an update fortnightly, Handy Recorder PRO every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
iStroboSoft versus Handy Recorder PRO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriStroboSoftHandy Recorder PRO
Price$9.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.3 (298 ratings) — better2.3 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews76.0% of reviews — better23.5% of reviews
Number of ratings298 — better13
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#12 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeterson TunersZOOM CORPORATION

Customer experience

iStroboSoft

All ratings298 ratings
Positive81.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative14.1%
Written reviews363 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative17.6%

Handy Recorder PRO

All ratings13 ratings
Positive30.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative69.2%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive23.5%
Neutral5.9%
Negative70.6%

Bugs and requests

iStroboSoft

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes or crashes on certain iOS versions
  • Incorrect note detection on some instruments
  • Display issues with newer iPhone/iPad models

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for more sweetened tunings and temperaments
  • Improve display visibility and layout for newer devices
  • Integrate with audio apps and allow routing through other apps
  • Add Apple Watch app for quick tuning access
  • Improve noise filtering and input sensitivity

Handy Recorder PRO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

iStroboSoft

One-time11
  • Extended Frequency Modes$4.99
  • Bluegrass Sweeteners$5.99
  • Buzz Feiten Pack$5.99
Show 8 more
  • Guitar & Bass Sweeteners$5.99
  • Orchestral Sweeteners$5.99
  • World Sweetener Pack$9.99
  • Tuning Tools$9.99
  • Steel Guitar Sweeteners$14.99
  • Harmonic Tuning$19.99
  • Keyboard Sweeteners$19.99
  • Full Discounted Upgrade Pack$59.99
None

Handy Recorder PRO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iStroboSoft free?
iStroboSoft costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Handy Recorder PRO free?
Handy Recorder PRO costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iStroboSoft or Handy Recorder PRO?
iStroboSoft is rated higher. iStroboSoft averages 4.3 out of 5 from 298 ratings, while Handy Recorder PRO averages 2.3 from 13 ratings.
Do iStroboSoft or Handy Recorder PRO have ads?
Neither iStroboSoft nor Handy Recorder PRO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iStroboSoft or Handy Recorder PRO?
iStroboSoft ships an update fortnightly, and Handy Recorder PRO every 5 months. Most recently, iStroboSoft was updated on October 23, 2026 and Handy Recorder PRO on October 21, 2026.

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