Comparison

HFM vs SoundLab

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

Head to head
About

HFM

Listen to live radio streams and stay updated with local news headlines. Submit song requests directly to the station after completing your preferences.

Highlights
  • Live radio streaming
  • Local news headlines
  • Request forwarding
  • User preferences setup
  • Twitter feed integration
Features
Read full description

Harborough FM Radio are delighted to be able to introduce their very own iOS app. With live streaming, and request forwarding included you are sure not to miss out. The App also contains local news headlines which are updated throughout the day via the HFM Twitter feed. You are required to complete the preferences page before you can forward your requests to the station.

About

SoundLab

This app provides desktop-grade audio editing tools on your mobile device. It features a multi-track editor with numerous effects, an AI vocal separator, and a robust audio recorder. It's designed for music and podcast creators needing a convenient, on-the-go solution.

Highlights
  • 16-track audio editor
  • Over 20 audio effects
  • AI Vocal Separator
  • Audio recorder with input selection
  • Recording studio with external mic support
  • Video composer for soundtrack videos
  • Lossless output formats
Features
Read full description

Bringing desktop-grade audio editing, recording, and on-device AI together, SoundLab is a powerful sound editor that lets you edit audio, clean up speech, separate vocals, and mix up to 16 tracks. SoundLab is more than an audio editor. It is built for the ideas, quick edits, and unexpected creative needs that come up during music and podcast production, so you can start creating anytime, anywhere on your iPhone or iPad. We won't claim SoundLab replaces a desktop DAW. But it is a serious mobile production tool for the moment the idea arrives and you don't want to open a computer — or wait thirty seconds for a desktop DAW to launch. Precise Multitrack Audio Editor • Mix up to 16 tracks with gain, pan, mute, and reordering. • Copy, cut, paste, trim, insert, replace, split, duplicate, join, move, and more—with unlimited undo/redo. • Zoom smoothly for millisecond-level selections. • Loop any range while you work. • Draw non-destructive volume curves for fades and ducking. • Record overdubs directly into your project while monitoring playback. AI Vocal Separator & Vocal Remover Separate vocals and instrumentals, create acapellas, or make backing tracks with the vocal remover. Karaoke Mode preserves fuller accompaniment. AI runs locally: no uploads or server queue. AI Stem Separator Split into four stems—vocals, drums, bass, other—or six with guitar and piano. Preview and balance parts, then export a mix or individual stems. AI Noise Reducer & Audio Enhancer Use AI Noise Reducer on recordings or AI Noise Suppression on selected audio. EQ, compression, de-essing, normalization, amplification, and Bass Boost provide enhancement for voice and music. 25+ Selection-Based Effects Apply 25+ effects to any waveform range, including AI separation and noise suppression, 10-band EQ, Reverb Pro, Tape Delay, Compressor, Change Pitch/Tempo, Fade In/Out, Phaser, Reverse, Silence Remover, and more. Master Effects Master Effects run in real time on the mix bus. Adjust tempo, pitch, reverb, and EQ while previewing, then export alternate versions without changing tracks or clips. Audio Recorder • Quick Recorder: Capture ideas with your chosen input device. • Recording Studio: Monitor your mic, set input gain, use a limiter and reverb, and record over a backing track—with or without it in the saved mix. • Use compatible external microphones and audio interfaces recognized by iOS. Import, Create & Organize • Import from Files, Music Library, other apps, or Wi-Fi; extract audio from video. • Convert text to speech and add, insert, or replace audio in your project. • Sync audio with iCloud; archive and restore projects through iCloud, USB drives, or external storage. • Use Video Composer to mix audio with video and create soundtrack videos. Flexible Export Export AAC, ALAC, MP3, FLAC, or WAV with selectable channels and sample rates, plus high-bitrate and lossless options. Add metadata and cover art in supported formats. Save to Files or iCloud, share, or export a ringtone. SoundLab is perfect for: • Music lovers and independent creators • Podcast and voice-over producers • Music students and teachers • Especially for users who are familiar with Audacity or Audition SoundLab Pro SoundLab Pro unlocks all Pro features. Choose monthly or annual auto-renewing subscriptions or a one-time permanent purchase. All support Family Sharing with up to five other family members. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation. Free trials convert to paid subscriptions, and subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.castpeer.biz/agreement.html Privacy Policy: https://www.castpeer.biz/privacy.html Customer Support Contact us in the app: Mine → Contact Us Official website: https://www.soundlabs.app YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soundlab-app

Screenshots

HFM3 screens
SoundLab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HFM at none against SoundLab's 3. HFM also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). SoundLab's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (15K vs 1). On price, review sentiment, 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. SoundLab sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. HFM asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HFM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SoundLab has 15K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of HFM's written reviews are positive against 65% of SoundLab's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HFM ships an update every 2 months, SoundLab weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
HFM versus SoundLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHFMSoundLab
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.6 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better64.9% of reviews
Number of ratings115K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#117 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB173 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInfonote孛 刘

Customer experience

HFM

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

SoundLab

All ratings14,345 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral4.1%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews544 reviews
Positive64.9%
Neutral9.0%
Negative26.1%

Bugs and requests

HFM

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SoundLab

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when using EQ
  • Inability to open/delete projects
  • Audio files not recognized
  • Saving issues causing data loss

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to add unlimited tracks
  • More precise tempo control
  • Stronger vocal remover
  • Ability to create custom album covers

In-app purchases

None

HFM

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

SoundLab

Subscriptions2
  • PRO Monthly Subscription$3.991 Month
  • PRO Annual Subscription3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Permanent PRO$49.99

Questions

Is HFM free?
HFM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SoundLab free?
SoundLab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HFM or SoundLab?
HFM is rated higher. HFM averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SoundLab averages 4.6 from 15K ratings.
Do HFM or SoundLab have ads?
Neither HFM nor SoundLab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HFM or SoundLab?
HFM ships an update every 2 months, and SoundLab weekly. Most recently, HFM was updated on October 8, 2026 and SoundLab on October 31, 2026.

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