# tapeRecorder vs Tape

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | tapeRecorder | Tape |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [2.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taperecorder/id417483814/reviews) | **[4.5 (259 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tape/id537766208/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **259** |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | **81.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 7 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 2 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gianluca Natalini](https://appshunter.io/developer/348380792) | [Alexander Rutkowskij](https://appshunter.io/developer/518370415) |

## What reviewers say

### tapeRecorder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taperecorder/id417483814)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Tape

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tape/id537766208)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New Cassette Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Cassette collection 2 | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Authentic nostalgic cassette player design
- 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface
- 🎵 Realistic animations with moving reels and playheads
- 💰 Free app with extensive cassette designs included
- 🎮 Interactive controls with swipe gestures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
- 🐛 App doesn't close properly with swipe gesture
- 🐛 Tape head animation reversed (plays down, pauses up)
- ❌ Limited to Apple Music only
- ❌ No local file playback support

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*