VocaLive CS vs Style Studio by Smule
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VocaLive CS
This app provides singers with 12 professional real-time vocal effects, including pitch correction and reverb. It offers practice tools, a 2-track recorder, and the ability to sing along to music with vocal removal. Additional features like microphone emulations and a looper are available through in-app purchases.
- 12 real-time professional vocal effects
- 4-processor effects chain with presets
- Voice Cancel for sing-along tracks
- 2-track recorder (expandable)
- Mic Room microphone emulations
- 4-track looper
Read full descriptionHide full description
VocaLive provides singers and vocalists with a suite of 12 real-time professional vocal effects, along with a range of tools to help you practice, sing and record. The effects can be combined into a chain of 4 processors and saved as presets. A collection of 55 presets is included to get you up and running immediately. VocaLive CS for iPhone comes with the Reverb effect, and upon registration the Double effect is unlocked. You can add 10 additional effects à la carte from a selection that includes Pitch Fix (for tuning or stylized FX), Choir, Morph, De-Esser, Delay, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Phazer and Envelope Filter. Together these effects provide unparalleled creative processing power. With VocaLive you can process your voice, sing along to any song in your iTunes Music library — its Voice Cancel feature lets you remove existing vocals — and warm up with helpful vocal warm-up tools. Use the new 2-track recorder to sing over backing tracks, or expand the studio section (available via in-app purchase) to record whole songs. With the optional Mic Room feature, VocaLive also gives you the sound and color of 20 classic and modern studio microphone emulations, for even more control over your vocal tone. Ready to perform? VocaLive’s new Live Mode offers an optimized GUI specifically for live use. See your entire chain at a glance, with all the settings and controls you need in an easy-to-read format designed for the stage. Plus VocaLive offers an optional 4-track looper to easily create songs, harmonies and more on the fly. For best quality, use VocaLive with IK’s iRig Mic range of microphones, from handheld to studio condenser mic. Or connect your favorite 3rd party mic using our iRig Pre interfaces. But you can also have fun with it and record quick ideas using the built-in microphone on your iPhone or earbuds. Control your virtual rig just as easily as you would a traditional vocal multiFX with new iRig Stomp I/O integration, so you can change presets, control effects and more right from your feet. Or go wireless with iRig Blueboard, a wireless Bluetooth controller for basic control on the go. VocaLive also supports Core Audio and Core MIDI so you can use any compatible third-party interface or MIDI controller, and Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible, letting you use it alongside your favorite recording or songwriting apps. VocaLive CS for iPhone features: • Real time vocal processor + recording app • 4-processor vocal effects chain • 12 professional studio-quality effects available - 2 included • Mic Room microphone with 20 classic and modern studio mic emulations* • Includes metronome and vocal warm-up tools • 4-track looper section* • 2-track recorder (expandable to a full 8-track recording studio*) • Import and play songs directly from your Music library or computer • Voice Cancel lets you create sing-along backing tracks by removing the vocal track from existing recordings • Simultaneous multi-track recording • Studio section (included with Recorder) with waveform visualization and editing, touch-and-drag looping, normalization, punch-in/punch-out recording, simultaneous multi-track recording support and more • AutoFreeze (allows each track to have its own full effects chain) • Live Mode shows you your entire rig at a glance, with all the parameters you need on stage easily accessible • 55 presets included with 4 Favorites for fast recall • MIDI controllable and with built-in integration for iRig Stomp I/O, iRig Blueboard and other controllers • Audiobus & Inter-App Audio support • Full version available * available via in-app purchase IMPORTANT: AmpliTube users can add the effects processors from VocaLive to their AmpliTube app using the “Restore my purchases” option in the in-app menu. For more information: www.ikmultimedia.com/vocaliveiphone Accessories information: www.ikmultimedia.com
Style Studio by Smule
Enhance your singing performances with custom audio and video effects. Create unique templates with various effects for different song segments to personalize your recordings. Share your creations with a global community and inspire others.
- Add unique effects to song segments
- Change song tone with audio options
- Use layouts and transitions
- Apply lens choices for visual effects
- Create visual energy with animations
- Transform recording look and sound
Read full descriptionHide full description
Ready to transform your Smule singing performances into full productions? With Style Studio, you can unlock your creative potential with one-of-a-kind audio and video Styles to use in Smule. Show off your creativity and set your performances apart. Style Studio is the companion app to Smule, the social karaoke singing app. In Style Studio, you can create Styles that work as templates, made up of fun audio and visual effects that enhance any Smule recording. Music and singing is at the center of Styles and so you’ll notice that songs are pre-segmented—chorus, bridge, verse, etc, and you apply effects to those segments to create your Style. When you create a Style, you’re building your own unique look and sound that can be applied to any song while you record in Smule. If your audience loves the Styles you’ve added, they can use them for their own karaoke performances, too! Create your Style based on your own preferences and publish to use it on your next Smule recording. Want to change something or try again? Continue to make new Styles as often as you want and publish them to be seen and shared with the global singing community! Each time your Style is shared, your creative vision is brought to life and inspires others to connect with you and your performance. FEATURES Add unique effects to each song segment: intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, and outro or apply one effect to multiple segments—you’re the producer! Change the tone of songs instantly with audio options like grunge, super pop, indie, opera, and more! Use layouts and transitions to highlight epic moments in your performance. Blur, blend, and add contrast with different lens choices. Create bursts of energy through fireworks, streaks of light, and flashing neon symbols. Transform the look and sound of any recording in Smule by creating with Styles, that work as templates of fun audio and visual effects that enhance any Smule recording. Download the free Style Studio app now to create your first Style and share your creativity with the world! Not sure what Styles will look like? Download the Smule app and watch a few performances to see what it’s all about. You can sing to your favorite hits and meet friends through the power of music and creativity. Jump into the Style Studio and customize the vibe you want for a couple or all of your performances. You’ll have a pre-loaded performance to play with or can use one of your own Smule performances to help you find what works for you. Once you’ve created a Style, you can use it in Smule while you record your solo, duet, or group performance with added, epic effects. Download the Style Studio to create your first Style and use Smule to see it in action on your performances.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Style Studio by Smule at none against VocaLive CS's 10. Style Studio by Smule also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). VocaLive CS's advantage is review sentiment (39% vs 22%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. VocaLive CS sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Style Studio by Smule asks for nothing beyond the download.
VocaLive CS ships an update every 8 months, Style Studio by Smule every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VocaLive CS | Style Studio by Smule |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 2.6 (195 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 39.5% of reviews — better | 22.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 195 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 136 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | IK Multimedia US, LLC | Smule |
Customer experience
VocaLive CS
Style Studio by Smule
User reviews
VocaLive CS
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 🎤 Powerful vocal effects
- 💾 Ability to record and save songs
- 📤 Option to email recorded tracks
- 🎶 Works well with external mics like iRig
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Confusing user interface
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🚫 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Style Studio by Smule
From 195 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Cool new features
- 🎨 Creative video editing
- 🎶 Enhances singing experience
- 👍 Lots of customization options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🤯 Confusing and complicated to use
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with shared recordings
- 🙄 Unnecessary separate app
- 🤔 Disrupts original Smule functionality
Bugs and requests
VocaLive CS
Reported bugs
4 issues- Recording quality issues with certain devices
- Effects not working as expected after updates
- Inability to delete recorded tracks
- Login/registration problems
Requested features
4 requests- Add wireless support for headphones/mics
- Improve song export and sharing options
- Provide better documentation and tutorials
- Implement regular app updates and bug fixes
Style Studio by Smule
Reported bugs
4 issues- Styles not saving properly
- Inability to find and access created styles
- Inconsistent behavior across song sections
- Compatibility issues with older devices
Requested features
4 requests- Add tutorial or in-app instructions
- Allow editing and deleting of created styles
- Option to use original Smule effects
- Integrate style creation within main Smule app
In-app purchases
VocaLive CS
- Delay$4.99
- Parametric Equalizer$4.99
- Compressor$4.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Pitch Fix$5.99
- Choir$5.99
- Morph$5.99
- Mic Pack$14.99
- Recorder$19.99
- Recorder + Studio$24.99
- All FX Pack$24.99
Style Studio by Smule
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is VocaLive CS free?
Is Style Studio by Smule free?
Do VocaLive CS or Style Studio by Smule have ads?
Which is updated more often, VocaLive CS or Style Studio by Smule?
Other comparisons















