Precision Strobe Tuner vs Zither Tuner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Precision Strobe Tuner
This app provides a highly sensitive chromatic tuner for musical instruments. It features a radial spectrum display and a classic strobe tuner for precise pitch visualization. Ideal for instrument technicians and musicians seeking accurate tuning.
- Chromatic tuning
- Radial spectrum display
- Classic strobe tuner
- Programmable temperament function
- Piano tuning functions
- String inharmonicity characterization
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Precision Strobe Tuner 2.0 A General Purpose Chromatic Musical Instrument Tuner App with special Temperament and Piano Tuning Functions. The PST combines a radial Spectrum Display with a classic Strobe Tuner and Note Dial for an ultimate visualization of pitch and tone. The Strobe Display is highly sensitive with response speed that is practically instantaneous and has long been the preferred tool for piano tuners and instrument technicians. The central Spectrum Display shows the input spectrum wrapped around the Display, with each Octave drawn in a separate color. The Note Dial is marked like a clock with the twelve notes of the Scale. All overtones of the input are shown as peaks in the Spectrum Display pointing towards their corresponding Notes. The Fundamental Indicator Tic on the Spectrum Display shows the Note of the Fundamental along the Note Dial, with the color designating the Octave. Use the Spectrum Display for coarse adjustment by tuning the Fundamental to the center of the desired Note Indicator. As the input approaches the desired Note, a Two Group pinwheel pattern becomes visible rotating in the Strobe Display. Fine tuning is accomplished by adjusting to stop rotation. The Strobe Display responds instantaneously to changes in pitch and is extremely sensitive. The outside Strobe Display works just like a classic rotating disk strobe tuner. The Two-Group pattern rotates CCW when the input is flat, and CW when sharp. When the rotation is stopped, the note is in tune. The previews show a general strobe display demonstration, an example of using the calibration function to measure the accuracy of a tuning fork and an example of guitar string tuning. The first screenshot shows the display tuning a Guitar Low E string. The Fundamental appears as an Orange peak in the Spectrum Display. This string rings bright, so the overtones are also dominant in the Display. The second screenshot shows the display for an E 440 Tuning Fork with the Calibration Dial enabled and adjusted. This Fork is 2.9 cent Flat. The PST also includes a Programmable Temperament Function with 5 user definable banks. The third screenshot shows an example of a Temperament Bank set up to a typical Piano Stretch Curve. This can also be used for tuning alternate temperaments, pedal steel guitar setups, or special guitar intonation systems. In addition, there are several Special Measurement Banks used for String Inharmonicity characterization and Piano Stretch Curve Estimation. Individual strings can be characterized by measuring the Fundamental and 2nd Harmonic separately. By careful selection of a few representative measurement points, a reasonable smooth fit Piano Stretch Curve can be generated. Any number of measurements can be used. The final screenshot shows the Input Signal Scope/Spectrum Display Page. The Detailed Operation Manual can be viewed here: www.precisionstrobe.com
Zither Tuner
Easily tune your zither with this mobile application. It automatically measures string pitch and provides precise visual feedback. You can also use it to play standard tuning notes for auditory tuning.
- Automatic pitch measurement
- Precise pitch indication
- Standard sound playback
- Auditory tuning support
- A4 standard note adjustment
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Zither Tuner, so you can easily use the mobile phone to do tuning for your Zither. Easy to use, precise instructions, it is your powerful Zither partner. When you pluck at the string of your musical instrument, it can automatically measure the pitch of the string, and through a variety of methods to indicate the accuracy of the pitch; addition, it can issue the standard sound of the strings, for you to tune through listening. Pitch indication accuracy 0.2 cents, A4 standard note adjustment range of 430 to 450Hz, accuracy 0.1Hz.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Precision Strobe Tuner at 4.6 against Zither Tuner's 3.0. Precision Strobe Tuner also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 25 months). Zither Tuner's advantage is price ($5.99 vs $9.99). On ads, in-app purchases, 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
Precision Strobe Tuner costs $9.99 and Zither Tuner $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Precision Strobe Tuner holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Precision Strobe Tuner has 56 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Precision Strobe Tuner's written reviews are positive against 50% of Zither Tuner's.
Precision Strobe Tuner ships an update every 4 months, Zither Tuner every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Precision Strobe Tuner | Zither Tuner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $5.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (56 ratings) — better | 3.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 79.1% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 56 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 25 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jim Campbell | 怀卫 张 |
Customer experience
Precision Strobe Tuner
Zither Tuner
In-app purchases
Precision Strobe Tuner
No in-app purchases
Zither Tuner
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Precision Strobe Tuner free?
Is Zither Tuner free?
Which has better reviews, Precision Strobe Tuner or Zither Tuner?
Do Precision Strobe Tuner or Zither Tuner have ads?
Which is updated more often, Precision Strobe Tuner or Zither Tuner?
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