Comparison

tapeRecorder vs Tape

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

Head to head
About

tapeRecorder

This app transforms your device into a vintage-style audio recorder and music player. It allows for unlimited recordings and playback of your music library, with features like tape rewind and animation for an authentic retro experience.

Highlights
  • Unlimited audio recordings
  • Music playback from iTunes library
  • Karaoke recording feature
  • Retro tape rewind and fast forward
  • Animated tape reel simulation
  • iTunes File Sharing for backup
Features
Read full description

“tapeRecorder" turns your device into an "OLD STYLE" tape recorder / music player. Useful for: - Record interviews, lectures at the university, audio notes, live music performances - Play music stored in your iTunes music library The software allows: - To make an infinite number of recordings, each with an endless recording time (professional type - using the device's microphone) - Saves an infinite number of recordings (subject to availability of physical memory on the device) - Automatically assigns the current date and time for the title of the recorded audio file (automatic historical archive recording) - At any time you can load and listen the Your personal recordings - Using the technology "iTunes File Sharing" all the recordings can be transferred from device to PC or MAC (RECORDING BACKUP) - Using the technology "iTunes File Sharing" all the recordings can be transferred from the MAC / PC to the device - Allows to load songs directly from the music library of the device, for listening (MUSIC PLAYER feature for iTunes music library) - Parallel listening and recording 1) Import music from your iTunes library 2) Press REC 3) Press PLAY 4) Sing over the music playing RESULTS: music + voice will be recorded on a new audio file (KARAOKE RECORDING feature) and stored in the archive of tapeRecorder (These steps can be repeated several times to create such choirs or double voices) - FF and REW tape, slow and fast (pressing FF and REW buttons the tape is rewinded or fast forwarded like in the old cassette recorder) - Animation for tape reel (simulates the old cassette player for REC, PLAY, FF, fast FF, REW, fast REW) - Volume control - Slider control to modify the song playback position (like in the default device player) - Controls, status display, playback time, level meter (for PLAY and REC), audio clipping leds (for PLAY and REC) - “OLD STYLE" tape recorder design

About

Tape

Relive the 80s with a virtual cassette player that emulates the feel of old-school music playback. Enjoy your iPhone music library with animated cassettes and intuitive touch controls. Choose from a variety of cassette designs for a nostalgic experience.

Highlights
  • Cassette player emulator
  • Plays music from Apple Music App
  • Animated cassette display
  • Large selection of cassette designs
  • Intuitive touch controls (play, pause, swipe)
  • Pinch to zoom for original cassette size
Features
Read full description

Do you still remember the cassettes from the 80s? Now you can have it again. You have all your songs from your iPhone or iPod Touch ready in the library. Tape is a cassette player emulator. It plays your music from Apple Music App and shows an animated cassette. There is a large selection of cassettes which you can choose from. This app bring's you back to the 80's. Very easy to use. - Touch for play or pause. - Swipe right for next song. - Swipe left for previous song. - Swipe down for next cassette. - Swipe up for cassette change. - Touch in the upper left corner to select songs. - you can zoom in to original cassette size (pinch to zoom). and because the control is very simple, This app is perfect for the car or on your iPod, iPhone docking Station, have fun with the app! THIS APP ONLY WORKS, IF YOU HAVE MUSIC IN THE APPLE MUSIC APP !!!

Screenshots

tapeRecorder4 screens
Tape4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tape at 82% against tapeRecorder's 29%. Tape also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.3) and ratings volume (259 vs 3). tapeRecorder's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On update cadence, 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

tapeRecorder costs $0.99 and Tape $1.99 up front. Tape sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. tapeRecorder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tape holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tape has 259 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of tapeRecorder's written reviews are positive against 82% of Tape's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

tapeRecorder ships an update every 8 months, Tape every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
tapeRecorder versus Tape: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertapeRecorderTape
Price$0.99 — better$1.99
Rating2.3 (3 ratings)4.5 (259 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.6% of reviews81.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3259 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 7 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.1 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGianluca NataliniAlexander Rutkowskij

Customer experience

tapeRecorder

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%

Tape

All ratings259 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral5.8%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews154 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral7.8%
Negative10.4%

Bugs and requests

tapeRecorder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Tape

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App crashes when using menus
  • Freezes on iPhone iOS 14.4.2 and later
  • Swipe-to-close doesn't stop playback
  • Playhead and capstan roller animation reversed
  • App closes unexpectedly for no reason
Show 3 more
  • Doesn't recognize hand gestures or song selections
  • Won't play selected songs
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS updates

Requested features

13 requests
  • Save and switch between custom mixed tapes
  • Playlist duration limits based on cassette type
  • Clicking sounds for play/stop button presses
  • Support for local MP3 and M4A files
  • Screen sleep toggle while music plays
Show 8 more
  • Additional cassette designs (especially Memorex and movie-themed)
  • Spotify integration
  • iPad version with larger interface
  • Tape malfunction/degradation simulation
  • Record function for music production
  • Remove 'tap to load' text overlay
  • More realistic button control styling
  • Classic 80s Memorex shell design

In-app purchases

None

tapeRecorder

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Tape

One-time2
  • New Cassette Pack$0.99
  • Cassette collection 2$1.99

Questions

Is tapeRecorder free?
tapeRecorder costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tape free?
Tape costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, tapeRecorder or Tape?
Tape is rated higher. tapeRecorder averages 2.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Tape averages 4.5 from 259 ratings.
Do tapeRecorder or Tape have ads?
Neither tapeRecorder nor Tape shows ads.
Which is updated more often, tapeRecorder or Tape?
tapeRecorder ships an update every 8 months, and Tape every 7 months. Most recently, tapeRecorder was updated on October 27, 2026 and Tape on October 24, 2026.

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