# Futures EP vs Pianoteq 8

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Futures EP at none against Pianoteq 8's 10. Futures EP also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 74%). Pianoteq 8's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 18 months) and ratings volume (133 vs 2). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pianoteq 8 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Futures EP asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Futures EP against 4.6 for Pianoteq 8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pianoteq 8 has 133 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Futures EP's written reviews are positive against 74% of Pianoteq 8's.

Futures EP ships an update every 18 months, Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Futures EP | Pianoteq 8 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/futures-ep/id484521849/reviews) | **[4.6 (133 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianoteq-8/id1642344241/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **133** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 73.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 340 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adam Jansch](https://appshunter.io/developer/484521852) | [Modartt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1363148724) |

## What reviewers say

### Futures EP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/futures-ep/id484521849)

This music application offers a unique listening experience with its two-track open outcome record. Each playback presents a different sonic outcome, allowing for variety in recorded music.

**Highlights:** Open outcome record medium, Two-track music release, Variable sonic outcomes, Artist-controlled playback variety, Next-generation record concept

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pianoteq 8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianoteq-8/id1642344241)

This virtual instrument uses advanced physical modeling to generate realistic sounds for a wide range of instruments, including pianos, electric pianos, and guitars. It offers compact file sizes and faithful sound reproduction, making it ideal for musicians on the go. Connect a MIDI device and start playing, or use it as a plugin in other music applications.

**Highlights:** Physical modeling sound generation, Simulates pianos, electric pianos, guitars, and more, Realistic playability, Compact file size, Works as a plugin, MIDI device compatible

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use existing licence | Free | one-time |
| Upgrade to latest version | $29.99 | one-time |
| Electric Pianos | $49.99 | one-time |
| Hohner Collection | $49.99 | one-time |
| Classical Guitar | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX | $49.99 | one-time |
| Grand Bösendorfer 280VC | $49.99 | one-time |
| Stage to Standard | $129.99 | one-time |
| Standard to Pro | $129.99 | one-time |
| Pianoteq STAGE | $139.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Realistic piano sounds
- 💻 Cross-platform compatibility
- 💡 Physical modeling technology
- 🤏 Small app size
- 🎹 High playability and expressiveness

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive pricing
- 🤔 Steep price for casual users
- 🛒 Difficult purchase process
- 💻 Requires additional license slot
- 👎 Terrible user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Some keys do not work
- Significant latency issues
- Cannot activate due to missing serial number
- Stuttering audio on iOS
- App not updated for new iOS

**Requested features**

- Add Yamaha p125 instrument
- iPad only version
- Add second row of keyboard
- Increase/decrease number of visible keys


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Futures EP free?

Futures EP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pianoteq 8 free?

Pianoteq 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Futures EP or Pianoteq 8?

Pianoteq 8 is rated higher. Futures EP averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Pianoteq 8 averages 4.6 from 133 ratings.

### Do Futures EP or Pianoteq 8 have ads?

Neither Futures EP nor Pianoteq 8 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Futures EP or Pianoteq 8?

Futures EP ships an update every 18 months, and Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. Most recently, Futures EP was updated on November 6, 2026 and Pianoteq 8 on November 3, 2026.

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