# TouchBells vs VocaLive for iPad

The clearest difference is price: TouchBells at $1.99 against VocaLive for iPad's $24.99. TouchBells also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 35%) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). VocaLive for iPad's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

TouchBells costs $1.99 and VocaLive for iPad $24.99 up front. VocaLive for iPad sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. TouchBells asks for nothing beyond the download.

TouchBells ships an update every 5 months, VocaLive for iPad every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TouchBells | VocaLive for iPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $24.99 |
| Rating | **[2.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchbells/id378697992/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 35.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 66 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Braun](https://appshunter.io/developer/296553965) | [IK Multimedia US, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/323694278) |

## What reviewers say

### TouchBells

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchbells/id378697992)

This app is a virtual carillon instrument for iPad, offering xylophone, vibraphone, and tubular bell sounds. Users can play freely, record and share songs, and learn to play through a teach mode. It's designed for musical exploration and early childhood education.

**Highlights:** Virtual carillon instrument, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Tubular Bells sounds, Song recording and playback, Song sharing with other users, Teach mode for learning songs, Adjustable stereo effect, Tunable instrument pitch

**In-app purchases:** none


### VocaLive for iPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vocalive-for-ipad/id453480680)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| External Control | $5.99 | one-time |
| Looper | $14.99 | one-time |
| Mic Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Recorder | $19.99 | one-time |
| Studio | $19.99 | one-time |
| Recorder + Studio | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎤 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TouchBells free?

TouchBells costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VocaLive for iPad free?

VocaLive for iPad costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Do TouchBells or VocaLive for iPad have ads?

Neither TouchBells nor VocaLive for iPad shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TouchBells or VocaLive for iPad?

TouchBells ships an update every 5 months, and VocaLive for iPad every 9 months. Most recently, TouchBells was updated on October 29, 2026 and VocaLive for iPad on October 22, 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.*