Comparison

Banjo Tuner vs Polar Scope Align

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

Head to head
About

Banjo Tuner

This application provides standard tuning notes for the 5-string banjo. It's a simple tool designed to help banjo players achieve accurate tuning.

Highlights
  • Standard tuning notes
  • 5-string banjo support
  • Accurate tuning reference
Features
Read full description

Tune your 5-string banjo with accurate standard tuning reference notes.

About

Polar Scope Align

This app calculates the precise position of celestial poles in your telescope's polar scope reticle for accurate alignment. It supports a wide range of reticles and corrects for atmospheric refraction, offering precision even at lower latitudes. Features include night mode, moon phase, and astronomical databases.

Highlights
  • Polaris/Sigma Octantis position calculation
  • Atmospheric refraction correction
  • Reticle centering error correction
  • Supports numerous reticle types
  • Red-color night mode
  • Moon phase and astronomical databases
Features
Read full description

Polar Scope Align is a free, ad-supported polar alignment app for iPhone and iPad. It calculates the position of Polaris or σ Octantis in your polar scope reticle for your location, date and time, helping you get a quick and accurate polar alignment with an equatorial mount. POLAR SCOPE ALIGNMENT • Accurate Polaris and Sigma Octantis position for your date and location • Atmospheric refraction correction for better accuracy, especially at lower latitudes - readings may differ slightly from simpler apps that skip this correction, but will agree with precise sources (USNO, scientific software) • Automatic time and location • Manual location support • Reticle centering-error measurement and correction • Zero-position help for common Celestron / Sky-Watcher / Orion style reticles • Full red night-mode interface SUPPORTED RETICLES Polar Scope Align supports 35+ polar scope and finder reticle types, including: iOptron, Astro-Physics RAPAS & PASILL, Takahashi (EM-10/11/200/400/500, NJP, PM-1, P2-Z), Sky-Watcher / Orion (including EQ6/AZ-EQ and Star Adventurer), Celestron, Meade, EXOS2, Bresser, Vixen (Atlux/SX/SXD/SXP/AXD/GP/GP-DX, Polarie), Astrotrac, Losmandy, Kenko, Avalon, Konus, Telrad, Rigel QuikFinder, and several older polar finders (Tuthill, Explore Scientific, Meade 9x60, Vixen Polaris, Celestron 7x50, Carton Optical). OBSERVING TOOLS The free version also includes: • Moon phase • Messier, Caldwell and bright-star database • DSS image downloads for included database objects • Saved, editable and printable DSO lists • 8 astronomy calculators for observing and imaging • Sample Pro tools available from Settings, including aurora forecast • iOptron WiFi Connect - report mount status, set mount Time/Date/Location LOOKING FOR ALIGNMENT WITHOUT A POLAR SCOPE? Polar Scope Align Pro adds the advanced tools many users search for: • Daytime / No Polar Scope Alignment • Camera Azimuth Calibration using the Sun, Moon, planets or bright stars • Laser / Hop Align for night alignment when Polaris is blocked • Push To / manual GoTo for non-GoTo telescopes • Live sky maps for Daytime Alignment, Laser / Hop Align, Push To and Hop To • Full 22,000+ object DSO database • Xasteria astro weather, aurora, satellite passes and widgets • 30+ calculators • Bubble level, compass and iOptron WiFi mount control • Apple Watch companion app • No ads If you only need accurate polar-scope alignment, this free version is a capable tool. If you want alignment without a polar scope, observing planning, weather and field tools, Pro is the complete version.

Screenshots

Banjo Tuner1 screens
Polar Scope Align4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Polar Scope Align at 91% against Banjo Tuner's 53%. Polar Scope Align also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 15 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Banjo Tuner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, ads 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

Both are free to download. Polar Scope Align sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Banjo Tuner asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Polar Scope Align holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 394 and 173 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Banjo Tuner's written reviews are positive against 91% of Polar Scope Align's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Banjo Tuner ships an update every 15 months, Polar Scope Align every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Banjo Tuner versus Polar Scope Align: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBanjo TunerPolar Scope Align
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (394 ratings)4.7 (173 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews91.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings394 — better173
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlvin YuDimitrios Kechagias

Customer experience

Banjo Tuner

All ratings391 ratings
Positive84.9%
Neutral4.6%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews92 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative40.2%

Polar Scope Align

All ratings173 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral0.6%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews174 reviews
Positive91.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative6.9%

User reviews

Banjo Tuner

From 394 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use interface
  • 🎵 Plays correct tuning notes accurately
  • 💰 Free app with no cost
  • ⚡ Quick and lightweight download
  • 🎧 Blind-friendly and accessible with VoiceOver

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App frequently doesn't work or produce sound
  • ⏱️ Notes cut off too quickly to adjust tuning
  • 📢 Excessive ads cluttering the interface
  • 🎚️ Only supports standard tuning, no alternatives
  • 👂 Requires good ear training to use effectively

Polar Scope Align

From 173 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎯 Extensive reticle options for various telescope mounts
  • 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface
  • 🆓 Powerful free version with no popup ads
  • 🔴 Red night vision mode preserves dark adaptation
  • 📍 Accurate GPS-based location detection

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent accuracy with metal mounts/tripods
  • 📱 Font size too small for comfortable reading
  • 🎯 Center dot in reticle obscures precise alignment
  • 📍 Limited effectiveness for southern hemisphere (Sigma Octantis is dim)
  • ❓ Steep learning curve for beginners without proper guidance

Bugs and requests

Banjo Tuner

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • No sound output despite app being enabled
  • Buttons do not respond when pressed
  • Audio cuts off mid-note
  • Multiple notes playing simultaneously
  • Pitch notes are flat or inaccurate
Show 3 more
  • App depends on ringer volume instead of app volume
  • Sporadic functionality - works sometimes, not others
  • Scam pop-ups offering iPad giveaways

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add microphone input to detect instrument pitch
  • Support for alternate tunings (tenor, Irish tenor, etc.)
  • Continuous note playback instead of single play
  • Visual feedback for tuning accuracy
  • Ability to customize tunings per string
Show 4 more
  • Better audio quality and longer note sustain
  • Remove or reduce advertisements
  • Auto-repeat note functionality
  • Compatibility with different string instruments

Polar Scope Align

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Date and time dial do not match correctly
  • GMT and LST times appear to be switched
  • App crashes or fails to initialize for some users
  • Alignment accuracy varies inconsistently between sessions
  • Location detection issues with cell tower vs GPS
Show 1 more
  • Reticle display not rendering properly in some cases

Requested features

7 requests
  • Online video tutorials demonstrating all features
  • Remove or reduce center dot size in reticle
  • Larger, bolder font options for better readability
  • Brighter star options for southern hemisphere alignment
  • Smaller ad button or ad customization
Show 2 more
  • Better beginner onboarding and instructions
  • More robust alternative alignment methods for southern hemisphere

In-app purchases

None

Banjo Tuner

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Polar Scope Align

One-time3
  • Tip 1x$0.99
  • Tip 4x$3.99
  • Tip 10x$9.99

Questions

Is Banjo Tuner free?
Banjo Tuner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Polar Scope Align free?
Polar Scope Align is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Banjo Tuner or Polar Scope Align?
Polar Scope Align is rated higher. Banjo Tuner averages 4.4 out of 5 from 394 ratings, while Polar Scope Align averages 4.7 from 173 ratings.
Do Banjo Tuner or Polar Scope Align have ads?
Both Banjo Tuner and Polar Scope Align show ads.
Which is updated more often, Banjo Tuner or Polar Scope Align?
Banjo Tuner ships an update every 15 months, and Polar Scope Align every 6 weeks. Most recently, Banjo Tuner was updated on November 1, 2026 and Polar Scope Align on October 24, 2026.

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