Comparison

AutoArp vs Poly 2

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

Head to head
About

AutoArp

This app transforms your device into a unique musical instrument, blending auto-harp and analog synth sounds. Select chords and strum to create retro-futuristic music. A free version offers basic functionality, with advanced features available via in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • Strummable synth interface
  • Chord selection and configuration
  • Square, pulse, and sawtooth waveforms
  • Resonant low-pass filter
  • Tremolo and echo effects
  • Audiobus and inter-app audio support
  • MIDI support (paid)
Read full description

AutoArp turns your iPhone (or iPod Touch) into a musical instrument that is halfway between a traditional auto-harp zither and an arpeggiated analogue-style synth. Select a chord and strum the "strings" with your fingers to create a retro-futuristic backing to your music. AutoArp is FREE, with a fixed set of songs. Full functionality, including creating, editing and sharing songs, MIDI support and transposing can be unlocked via an in-app purchase (at the lowest price tier). This means you can try it for free and hear the results for yourself! The synth engine features: • square, pulse and sawtooth waveforms, • attack and release envelope controls, • a resonant low pass filter with cutoff and resonance controls, • monophonic or polyphonic playback • tremolo effect with LFO frequency and depth • simple Echo effect Up to 16 chords (12 on iPhone 4s and below) can be selected per 'song' and configured onto the playing buttons, allowing you to switch quickly between songs to load a new set of chords. Alternative bass notes can also be set for each chord. There are 22 chord types, ranging from major and minor to jazz chords like minor 11th and major 7th with a sharp 11th! More Features: * Audiobus support for inter-app audio (even on iOS 6), so you can wire AutoArp up to loads of other great FX, mixing and recording apps * Improved audio engine, built using The Amazing Audio Engine (from A Tasty Pixel), with lower latency * MIDI support, including hardware CoreMIDI-compatible interfaces, inter-app MIDI and even network MIDI (paid version only) * Share songs with other AutoArp users via email (paid version only) * Transpose playback +/- 6 semitones to play in any key (paid version only)

About

Poly 2

This app generates evolving musical patterns and melodies using polyrhythms. It offers extensive sound manipulation with a sampler, multiple effects, and the ability to store numerous configurations. Users can also import their own sounds and integrate with other music production tools.

Highlights
  • Generative polyrhythm sequencing
  • Up to 8 simultaneous sounds
  • Sampler with envelopes and filters
  • Randomize capabilities
  • Built-in delay, reverb, distortion, and EQ FX
  • AUv3, Audiobus, and IAA support
  • Import custom samples
Features
Read full description

Poly 2 is a generative sequencer that creates evolving patterns and melodies based on the power of polyrhythms. Check out the promo video: https://youtu.be/ovCXtBynEkw Features: - Up to 8 different sounds at any time - Store up to 16 different configurations for each project - A sampler that includes envelopes, filters, loop crossfading, an LFO and more - Randomise capabilities - Delay, reverb, distortion and EQ FX - Over 100 samples included for free - 13 premade collections of sounds - 13 example projects - AUv3 support, both MIDI and Audio - Audiobus and IAA - Ableton Link - MIDI notes in / out, MIDI CC in / out and MIDI clock in - Import your own samples via iOS Files or WIFI transfer

Screenshots

AutoArp4 screens
Poly 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Poly 2 at 4.8 against AutoArp's 4.3. Poly 2 also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (686 vs 26). AutoArp's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.6). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. AutoArp sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Poly 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Poly 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Poly 2 has 686 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of AutoArp's written reviews are positive against 84% of Poly 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AutoArp ships an update every 4 months, Poly 2 every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
AutoArp versus Poly 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAutoArpPoly 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (26 ratings)4.8 (686 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews84.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings26686 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB153 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrew MilloyJames Milton

Customer experience

AutoArp

All ratings26 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative10.7%

Poly 2

All ratings686 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative11.1%

Bugs and requests

AutoArp

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Poly 2

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • In-app purchase not working for some users
  • MIDI connectivity issues with certain apps
  • Crashes upon opening for some users

Requested features

8 requests
  • Ability to preview samples before importing
  • Autoslice/autochop functionality for samples
  • Support for larger sample imports and automatic slot filling
  • Granulizer effect
  • Note repeat and vinyl effects
Show 3 more
  • More built-in effects and processing options
  • Ability to create and arrange full songs
  • M1 Mac compatibility

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AutoArp

One-time1
  • Full functionality$0.99
1 purchases

Poly 2

One-time1
  • Pro mode$11.99

Questions

Is AutoArp free?
AutoArp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Poly 2 free?
Poly 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AutoArp or Poly 2?
Poly 2 is rated higher. AutoArp averages 4.3 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Poly 2 averages 4.8 from 686 ratings.
Do AutoArp or Poly 2 have ads?
Neither AutoArp nor Poly 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AutoArp or Poly 2?
AutoArp ships an update every 4 months, and Poly 2 every 4 weeks. Most recently, AutoArp was updated on October 7, 2026 and Poly 2 on October 8, 2026.

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