PolyTune vs VocaLive for iPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PolyTune
This application provides a powerful and accurate tuning tool for musicians. It allows for simultaneous tuning of all strings, supports various guitar and bass modes, and offers drop tunings. Its technology is based on a highly-regarded pedal tuner used by professionals.
- Tune all strings at once
- Guitar/bass mode
- Drop tunings support
- Award-winning pedal technology
- Chromatic tuning modes
- High accuracy
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It's the most powerful tool you've ever had in your pants! You know ... for tuning. That said, this is one of those nuggets on the App store you cannot afford to miss if you value being in tune and you take your smartphone with you when you go places. Yes to both? Then it's a no-brainer! - Tune all strings at once! Just strum your guitar, and see the pitch of all strings instantly. - Guitar/bass mode - Drop-tunings - 1:1 port of the award-winning PolyTune pedal (Guitar Player, Guitar World, Premier Guitar, MIPA, NAMM Best in Show 2010, etc.) - Based one the world’s best selling pedal tuner used by countless pros such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Orianthi and many more! PolyTune is the world's first polyphonic tuner that will have future guitarists wondering how we ever got by without it. The magic lies in a never before seen approach to tuning aimed at speed, accuracy and ease of use, which allows you to get in tune fast, and back to doing what you love: playing. The PolyTune iPhone app is a 1:1 port of the award-winning PolyTune pedal tuner, and PolyTune for iPhone delivers exactly the same features and tuning technology as the pedal version. The pedal version is the fastest way to tune on-stage, whereas the iPhone app is the fastest and most convenient way to tune off-stage. Specifications: - Reference pitch from 435Hz to 445Hz - Drop tuning from E-flat to B - 0.5 cent accuracy - 2 chromatic tuning modes: Needle and Stream - MonoPoly recognizes whether one or several strings are played at once
VocaLive for iPad
This app provides singers with studio-quality vocal effects and recording tools. It offers real-time processing, a multi-track recorder, and microphone emulations to enhance vocal performances and practice sessions.
- 12 real-time professional vocal effects
- 4-processor effects chain
- 2-track recorder (expandable)
- Mic Room with 20 mic emulations
- Vocal warm-up tools
- Voice Cancel for backing tracks
- Live Mode GUI
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VocaLive provides singers and vocalists with a suite of 12 real-time professional vocal effects, along with a range of tools to help you practice, sing and record. The effects can be combined into a chain of 4 processors and saved as presets. A collection of 55 presets is included to get you up and running immediately. VocaLive for iPad includes 12 vocal effects: Pitch Fix (for tuning or stylized FX), Choir, Morph, Reverb, De-Esser, Delay, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Phazer and Envelope Filter plus a vocal Double effect available via registration. Together these effects provide unparalleled creative processing power. With VocaLive you can process your voice, sing along to any song in your iTunes Music library — its Voice Cancel feature lets you remove existing vocals — and warm up with helpful vocal warm-up tools. Use the new 2-track recorder to sing over backing tracks, or expand the studio section (available via in-app purchase) to record whole songs. With the optional Mic Room feature, VocaLive also gives you the sound and color of 20 classic and modern studio microphone emulations, for even more control over your vocal tone. Ready to perform? VocaLive’s new Live Mode offers an optimized GUI specifically for live use. See your entire chain at a glance, with all the settings and controls you need in an easy-to-read format designed for the stage. Plus VocaLive offers an optional 4-track looper to easily create songs, harmonies and more on the fly. For best quality, use VocaLive with IK’s iRig Mic range of microphones, from handheld to studio condenser mic. Or connect your favorite 3rd party mic using our iRig Pre interfaces. But you can also have fun with it and record quick ideas using the built-in microphone on your iPad or earbuds. Control your virtual rig just as easily as you would a traditional vocal multiFX with new iRig Stomp I/O integration, so you can change presets, control effects and more right from your feet. Or go wireless with iRig Blueboard, a wireless Bluetooth controller for basic control on the go. VocaLive also supports Core Audio and Core MIDI so you can use any compatible third-party interface or MIDI controller, and Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible, letting you use it alongside your favorite recording or songwriting apps. VocaLive for iPad features: • Real time vocal processor + recording app • 4-processor vocal effects chain • 12 professional studio-quality vocal effects included • Mic Room microphone with 20 classic and modern studio mic emulations* • Includes metronome and vocal warm-up tools • 4-track looper section* • 2-track recorder (expandable to a full 8-track recording studio*) • Import and play songs directly from your Music library or computer • Voice Cancel lets you create sing-along backing tracks by removing the vocal track from existing recordings • Simultaneous multi-track recording • Studio section (included with Recorder) with waveform visualization and editing, touch-and-drag looping, normalization, punch-in/punch-out recording, simultaneous multi-track recording support and more • AutoFreeze (allows each track to have its own full effects chain) • Live Mode shows you your entire rig at a glance, with all the parameters you need on stage easily accessible • 55 presets included with 4 Favorites for fast recall • MIDI controllable and with built-in integration for iRig Stomp I/O, iRig Blueboard and other controllers • Audiobus & Inter-App Audio support * available via in-app purchase IMPORTANT: AmpliTube users can add the effects processors from VocaLive to their AmpliTube app using the “Restore my purchases” option in the in-app menu. For more information: www.ikmultimedia.com/vocaliveipad Accessories information: www.ikmultimedia.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: PolyTune at $4.99 against VocaLive for iPad's $24.99. PolyTune also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (66% vs 35%). VocaLive for iPad's advantage is update cadence (every 9 months vs every 40 months). On ads 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
PolyTune costs $4.99 and VocaLive for iPad $24.99 up front. VocaLive for iPad sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. PolyTune asks for nothing beyond the download.
PolyTune ships an update every 40 months, VocaLive for iPad every 9 months. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.
| Parameter | PolyTune | VocaLive for iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 — better | $24.99 |
| Rating | 2.8 (79 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 65.7% of reviews — better | 35.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 79 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 40 months | Every 9 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 135 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TC Electronic | IK Multimedia US, LLC |
Customer experience
PolyTune
VocaLive for iPad
User reviews
PolyTune
From 79 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🩵 Works really well
- 💯 Accurate and precise
- 🔢 Polyphonic tuning mode
- 🎨 Customizable display colors
- 🔌 Works with electric and acoustic guitars
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes or freezes on newer iOS versions
- 🔇 Struggles to pick up low strings or in noisy environments
- ⏱️ Screen dims during use
- 🚫 No support for alternate/custom tunings
- 💤 Drains battery quickly when running in background
VocaLive for iPad
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 🎤 High-quality vocal effects and processors
- 🎛️ Intuitive interface and easy-to-use controls
- 🎵 Professional sound quality when working properly
- ⚙️ Comprehensive effect presets available
- 📱 Portable vocal recording solution for iOS
Room to improve
- 💰 Excessive in-app purchases and hidden costs
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues across iOS updates
- ⏸️ Poor compatibility with iOS version updates
- 🔌 Limited microphone/hardware compatibility
- 📦 Incomplete base app requiring additional paid features
Bugs and requests
PolyTune
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes on launch
- Unable to detect or tune certain strings
- Inaccurate tuning readings
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for 432Hz tuning
- Implement custom tuning options
- Improve compatibility with external audio interfaces
- Add a dedicated on/off switch
VocaLive for iPad
Reported bugs
14 issues- App crashes on iOS 7, iOS 11, iOS 15, iOS 16 updates
- App won't start after iOS updates
- Harmony presets reverting to other presets after updates
- Stereo recording with phase cancellation instead of mono
- Vocal audio too quiet or inaudible
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- Microphone input not recognized
- App disappears when minimized or switching apps
- Audible hum in audio output
- Lag and latency in pitch control and harmonizer
- Recording glitches, pops, and drops
- In-app purchases not persisting after reinstall or update
- Audiobus initialization errors
- Unable to load sounds for upload
- WiFi file transfer link not functional
Requested features
15 requests- Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support for use in other DAWs
- AudioBus compatibility
- Stereo to mono conversion effect
- Distortion effect
- Looper functionality for stacking vocal loops
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- Multi-track recording with proper timeline editing
- Waveform visualization for editing
- Audio copy/paste functionality
- Better file transfer options (Dropbox, Google Drive integration)
- GarageBand plugin integration
- Bluetooth speaker connectivity
- Keyboard chord control with polyphony
- Video playback for karaoke/practice
- Dock connector microphone support
- Better song list UI with longer character limits
In-app purchases
PolyTune
No in-app purchases
VocaLive for iPad
- External Control$5.99
- Looper$14.99
- Mic Pack$14.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Recorder$19.99
- Studio$19.99
- Recorder + Studio$24.99
Questions
Is PolyTune free?
Is VocaLive for iPad free?
Do PolyTune or VocaLive for iPad have ads?
Which is updated more often, PolyTune or VocaLive for iPad?
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