Comparison

Tone generator vs Tone Generator EX

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

Head to head
About

Tone generator

Create various periodic signals with adjustable frequency and amplitude for testing electronic circuits or tuning instruments. Features include a metronome, a real-time tuner, and options for generating different noise types and tone sequences. It also offers unique features for hearing tests and party games.

Highlights
  • Generate periodic signals
  • Adjustable frequency and amplitude
  • Integrated instrument tuner
  • Metronome for practice
  • Hearing ability tests
  • Generate white/pink noise
  • Create tone sequences
Features
Read full description

Generate various periodic signals with different waveforms with adjustable frequency and amplitude. These are used to test electronic circuits such as amplifiers and filters. Also suitable for musicians to tune their instruments. As soon as a note sounds, the integrated tuner recognizes the pitch and displays the note name and deviation. For any instrument that produces an even tone. A metronome also helps you to practise. Drive insects away or compare your hearing ability with your friends and relatives and share your results! Or watch others straining their ears to find the sounds that cannot locate you. Party fun is guaranteed! optional features (Purchase): - free of Ads - manual frequency input - support app functionality for connected Bluetooth devices, e.g. speaker - different signals - white/pink noise - tuner for tuning instruments (real-time tone recognition C1-C8) with tuning whistle - metronome for a steady tempo - note/tone for frequency - Left/right channel, stereo - create a tone sequence for playing several different frequencies in particular time slot - loop for tone sequence - save and delete tone sequences - load saved tone sequences - send your tone sequence as an audio file (.caf format) - option to compress audio files Attention: If you want to share your results with others, first test your audible frequencies, then mark under the speakers your lowest audible tone and your highest audible tone (stored only temporarily). A small hint: the chart will show you what other frequencies of your age are still possible to reach.

About

Tone Generator EX

Generate a wide range of audio tones with adjustable frequencies and waveforms. Control playback in the background, from your notification drawer, or lock screen. The app automatically pauses for calls and alarms, and allows you to save custom presets.

Highlights
  • Frequency range 15Hz to 22KHz
  • Sine, Square, Sawtooth, Triangle waveforms
  • Auto-off timer
  • Background playback
  • Notification drawer control
  • Create custom presets
  • Set frequency by music note
Features
Read full description

Tone Generator EX is an audio tone generator. It provides following features: ● Frequency range from 15Hz to 22KHz. ● Can play 4 different waveforms: Sine/Square/Sawtooth/Triangle  ● Auto-off timer. ● Playback running in background. ● Playback can be controlled from the notification drawer, lock screen or headset button without having to reopen the APP. ● Auto-pause on incoming call, alarm, etc. ● You can create your own presets. ● Set frequency by selecting a music note.

Screenshots

Tone generator4 screens
Tone Generator EX3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tone Generator EX at 4.8 against Tone generator's 4.0. Tone Generator EX also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). On price, ratings volume, 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

Both are free to download. Tone generator sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Tone Generator EX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tone Generator EX holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 152 and 439 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Tone generator's written reviews are positive against 91% of Tone Generator EX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tone generator ships an update every 5 months, Tone Generator EX every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Tone generator versus Tone Generator EX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTone generatorTone Generator EX
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (152 ratings)4.8 (439 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.1% of reviews90.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings152439 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developermichael heinzAn-Che Lee

Customer experience

Tone generator

All ratings152 ratings
Positive75.7%
Neutral4.6%
Negative19.7%
Written reviews237 reviews
Positive67.1%
Neutral3.8%
Negative29.1%

Tone Generator EX

All ratings439 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.4%

User reviews

Tone generator

From 152 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works every time!
  • 🚀 Awesome application for generating tones and studying sound
  • 👍 Very useful
  • 👍 Genius
  • 👍 Great app to make your tones

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't go lower than 10hz
  • 🔍 Ruined by ads
  • 🔍 Way too many ads
  • 🔍 Crashes before I can export even though I paid for the feature
  • 🔍 Fake app. Buying the upgrade doesn't do anything. There is no support. You can't export like it says you can. It's a scam.

Tone Generator EX

From 439 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Clean, intuitive, and elegant interface design
  • 🎵 Precise frequency control with decimal accuracy
  • 💰 Completely free with no ads or subscriptions
  • ⚙️ Customizable A440 tuning standard adjustment
  • 💾 Preset saving and loading functionality

Room to improve

  • 📉 Limited frequency range (minimum 15Hz, maximum needs extension)
  • 🚫 No direct frequency input via typing
  • ⏸️ No export functionality for generated tones
  • 🔇 Clicking sounds during frequency adjustments
  • 📱 No stereo output capability

Bugs and requests

Tone generator

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Doesn't go lower than 10hz
  • Crashes before I can export even though I paid for the feature
  • Fake app. Buying the upgrade doesn't do anything. There is no support. You can't export like it says you can. It's a scam.
  • app is modified
  • No tone
Show 5 more
  • Frozen on my iPad
  • Doesn't produce any sound
  • No sound
  • Faulty
  • No sound

Requested features

7 requests
  • Wish I had a manual that explains a couple functions
  • More precise way to select the frequency
  • Playing of multiple tomes
  • Manually enter a frequency
  • More than one voice
Show 2 more
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard

Tone Generator EX

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes and won't play after initial use
  • Requires unnecessary credit card information
  • Potential compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

15 requests
  • Extend frequency range to 10Hz or lower (0-12Hz requested)
  • Extend upper frequency range to support .4-12Hz adjustments
  • Direct frequency input by typing instead of dial adjustment
  • VST3/AUv3/desktop plugin version for DAW integration
  • Frequency sweep functionality with adjustable speed
Show 10 more
  • Automated frequency sweep with smooth ascending/descending
  • Export generated tones to audio files
  • Stereo output capability
  • Automatic numerical sorting of presets
  • Play presets directly from list with individual play buttons
  • Output level attenuator in dB
  • Option to disable clicking sounds during frequency changes
  • Dual tone generation (play two frequencies simultaneously)
  • Paid ad-free version option
  • Duty cycle control for square waves

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Tone generator

One-time3
  • Extra-Feature 1$1.99
  • No advertising$1.99
  • Upgrade to full version$3.99
None

Tone Generator EX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tone generator free?
Tone generator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tone Generator EX free?
Tone Generator EX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tone generator or Tone Generator EX?
Tone Generator EX is rated higher. Tone generator averages 4.0 out of 5 from 152 ratings, while Tone Generator EX averages 4.8 from 439 ratings.
Do Tone generator or Tone Generator EX have ads?
Both Tone generator and Tone Generator EX show ads.
Which is updated more often, Tone generator or Tone Generator EX?
Tone generator ships an update every 5 months, and Tone Generator EX every 9 days. Most recently, Tone generator was updated on October 19, 2026 and Tone Generator EX on October 15, 2026.

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