Comparison

AutoArp vs Pianoteq 8

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

Pianoteq 8

This virtual instrument uses advanced physical modeling to generate realistic sounds for a wide range of instruments, including pianos, electric pianos, and guitars. It offers compact file sizes and faithful sound reproduction, making it ideal for musicians on the go. Connect a MIDI device and start playing, or use it as a plugin in other music applications.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling sound generation
  • Simulates pianos, electric pianos, guitars, and more
  • Realistic playability
  • Compact file size
  • Works as a plugin
  • MIDI device compatible
Features
Read full description

PIANOTEQ: THE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT Pianoteq is an award-winning virtual instrument that simulates a wide range of instruments including pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, vibraphones, guitars, steel drums, and more, using advanced physical modeling. Unlike traditional virtual instruments that use recorded sounds, Pianoteq generates sounds in real-time by calculating the physics of how strings vibrate and how the soundboard radiates sound. Why Pianoteq Stands Out: - Realistic Playability: By modeling the physical properties of instruments, Pianoteq replicates the playability and complex behavior of real acoustic instruments. - Compact Size: Without large samples, Pianoteq's file size is much smaller than other virtual instruments, making it ideal for your iOS device. Trusted by the Best: Steinway, KAWAI, Bösendorfer, C. Bechstein, Petrof, Steingraeber, Grotrian, Blüthner, and Hohner have all endorsed Pianoteq for its faithful sound reproduction. Getting Started: - Connect a MIDI device to your iPad/iPhone. - Launch Pianoteq. - Start playing! Pianoteq also works as a plugin in any Audio Unit host application, such as GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Camelot, and more. Note: All instruments run in demo mode (with some keys disabled) until you purchase a Pianoteq STAGE license (unlocks two instruments) or link to an existing Pianoteq user account with a valid license. Licenses purchased on the App Store are valid across other supported platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux).

Screenshots

AutoArp4 screens
Pianoteq 83 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pianoteq 8 at 4.6 against AutoArp's 4.3. Pianoteq 8 also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (133 vs 26). AutoArp's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 74%) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Pianoteq 8 sells 28 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pianoteq 8 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pianoteq 8 has 133 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of AutoArp's written reviews are positive against 74% of Pianoteq 8's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AutoArp ships an update every 4 months, Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
AutoArp versus Pianoteq 8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAutoArpPianoteq 8
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (26 ratings)4.6 (133 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews — better73.6% of reviews
Number of ratings26133 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrew MilloyModartt

Customer experience

AutoArp

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

Pianoteq 8

All ratings133 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive73.6%
Neutral4.4%
Negative22.0%

Bugs and requests

AutoArp

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Pianoteq 8

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Some keys do not work
  • Significant latency issues
  • Cannot activate due to missing serial number
  • Stuttering audio on iOS
  • App not updated for new iOS
Show 3 more
  • Impossible to order from App Store
  • Bug in purchase through App Store
  • MIDI file saving not working

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Yamaha p125 instrument
  • iPad only version
  • Add second row of keyboard
  • Increase/decrease number of visible keys

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AutoArp

One-time1
  • Full functionality$0.99
28 purchases

Pianoteq 8

One-time28
  • Use existing licenceFree
  • Upgrade to latest version$29.99
  • Grand C. Bechstein DG$49.99
Show 25 more
  • Grand Blüthner$49.99
  • Celeste$49.99
  • Grand Grotrian$49.99
  • Electric Pianos$49.99
  • Hohner Collection$49.99
  • Grand Petrof$49.99
  • Grand Steingraeber$49.99
  • Grand Steinway B$49.99
  • Upright U4$49.99
  • Grand YC5$49.99
  • Classical Guitar$49.99
  • Grand K2$49.99
  • Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX$49.99
  • Vibes: Vibraphones V-B & V-M$49.99
  • Harp$49.99
  • Harpsichord$49.99
  • Kremsegg collection 1$49.99
  • Grand Steinway D$49.99
  • Karsten collection$49.99
  • Kremsegg collection 2$49.99
  • Grand Bösendorfer 280VC$49.99
  • Steelpans$49.99
  • Stage to Standard$129.99
  • Standard to Pro$129.99
  • Pianoteq STAGE$139.00

Questions

Is AutoArp free?
AutoArp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pianoteq 8 free?
Pianoteq 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AutoArp or Pianoteq 8?
Pianoteq 8 is rated higher. AutoArp averages 4.3 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Pianoteq 8 averages 4.6 from 133 ratings.
Do AutoArp or Pianoteq 8 have ads?
Neither AutoArp nor Pianoteq 8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AutoArp or Pianoteq 8?
AutoArp ships an update every 4 months, and Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. Most recently, AutoArp was updated on October 23, 2026 and Pianoteq 8 on October 21, 2026.

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