Comparison

Giying vs Balalaika

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

Head to head
About

Giying

Experience the authentic sounds of a Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar on your iPhone or iPad. This app replicates the Ugal instrument, offering a realistic playing experience with high-quality audio and detailed visuals. Explore cipher notations and enjoy uninterrupted music creation.

Highlights
  • Authentic sound bank
  • Realistic playing experience
  • Low-latency audio playback
  • Zoomable instrument views
  • Customizable cipher notations
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

World's first iPhone/iPad implementation of the main instruments of a Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar! The Giying, also called Ugal, is a 10-key instrument of the gangsa metallophones in the Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar. It is usually used for playing an elaborated version of the main melody. ** Note that the instrument produces very low-pitched sounds and require a high-quality sound system for best sound reproduction. The use of a high-quality headphone or external amplifier with good bass response is recommended. ** * Authentic sound bank sampled directly from real instruments * User interaction designed to replicate true playing experience * Playing sound can be stopped --- essential for Gamelan! * High-quality photos showcasing real instruments * Optimized for ultra-low latency audio playback * Zoomable views for detailed instrument exploration * Customizable display of cipher notations to suit your preferences * Completely ad-free for uninterrupted enjoyment

About

Balalaika

Experience the authentic sound and feel of a balalaika with this simulator. It offers realistic sounds, microtonal tuning, and customizable keys for both beginners and experienced musicians. Record and share your musical creations effortlessly.

Highlights
  • Authentic balalaika sounds
  • Microtonal tuning
  • Adjustable transpose
  • Reverb and chorus effects
  • Precision touch sensitivity
  • Customizable key sizes
  • Recording and screen recording
Features
Read full description

Discover the vibrant, distinctive charm of the balalaika with Balalaika Sim, your ultimate balalaika-playing companion. Designed for both beginners and seasoned musicians, Balalaika Sim brings the authentic feel and sound of this iconic Russian instrument right to your fingertips. With its user-friendly design and diverse features, you can create, play, and share music effortlessly. Key Features That Make Balalaika Sim Stand Out Authentic Balalaika Sounds Experience the genuine tone of a meticulously sampled traditional balalaika. Every note is crafted to deliver the bright, percussive quality that defines the balalaika's unique character. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability Microtonal Tuning: Adjust pitches for traditional Russian folk scales and experimental compositions, ideal for world music and microtonal explorations. Transpose Adjustment: Easily shift keys to match your musical preferences or play along with other instruments. Reverb Effects: Add depth and atmosphere to your performance with adjustable reverb. Chorus Mode: Layer your notes with rich harmonies, creating a fuller and more dynamic sound. Precision Touch Sensitivity: Play with natural expression—pressing the upper part of the key produces softer tones, while pressing the lower part delivers louder, more powerful notes. Customizable Keys Adjust the size of the keys to suit your playing style. Whether you prefer wider keys for precise plucking or smaller ones for fast strumming techniques, Balalaika Sim adapts to your needs. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Strum or pluck multiple strings simultaneously and enjoy the full resonance of the balalaika. Perfect for creating spontaneous melodies and rhythms. Single Key Mode: Focus on one note at a time, ideal for learning and perfecting balalaika techniques. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural touch with gentle fade-outs as you lift your fingers, creating a smooth and expressive playing experience. Record and Revisit Your Music Capture your performances with the built-in recording feature. Whether you're practicing, composing, or performing, your music is just a play button away. Share Your Masterpieces Seamlessly share your recordings with friends, family, or the world. Inspire others with your creativity and talent! Screen Recording Capability Elevate your musical creativity with Balalaika Sim's new screen recording feature. Capture your mesmerizing balalaika performances directly within the app, allowing you to effortlessly document your musical journey. Record your improvisations, practice sessions, or complete compositions with a single tap, and instantly share your artistic expressions with friends, fellow musicians, or on social media platforms. This intuitive recording functionality ensures that no moment of musical inspiration is lost, empowering you to preserve and share the unique, ethereal sounds of your balalaika exploration. Why Choose Balalaika Sim? Realistic Experience: The app replicates the true feel and sound of a physical balalaika, making it the perfect tool for practice or performance. Elegant Design: A sleek, user-friendly interface ensures that every musician, from novice to pro, feels right at home. Creative Flexibility: With versatile modes, adjustable keys, and authentic sounds, Balalaika Sim puts you in control of your musical journey. Whether you're strumming traditional Russian folk tunes, composing contemporary pieces, or exploring the balalaika for the first time, Balalaika Sim offers endless possibilities. Download Balalaika Sim today and let the spirit of the balalaika take you on a musical adventure!

Screenshots

Giying4 screens
Balalaika4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Balalaika at Free against Giying's $5.99. Balalaika also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 26 months). Giying's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume 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

Balalaika is free to download; Giying costs $5.99 up front. Balalaika sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Giying asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Balalaika holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Giying ships an update every 26 months, Balalaika every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Giying versus Balalaika: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGiyingBalalaika
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 26 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB134 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeremacsian Company LimitedAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Giying

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Balalaika

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Giying

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Balalaika

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Giying free?
Giying costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Balalaika free?
Balalaika is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Giying or Balalaika?
Balalaika is rated higher. Giying averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Balalaika averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Giying or Balalaika have ads?
Balalaika shows ads; Giying does not.
Which is updated more often, Giying or Balalaika?
Giying ships an update every 26 months, and Balalaika every 3 months. Most recently, Giying was updated on November 1, 2026 and Balalaika on October 30, 2026.

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