# Circuit Playground vs Audio Function Generator

The clearest difference is price: Audio Function Generator at Free against Circuit Playground's $2.99. Audio Function Generator also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (2.2K vs 19). Circuit Playground's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (86% vs 77%). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Audio Function Generator is free to download; Circuit Playground costs $2.99 up front. Audio Function Generator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Circuit Playground asks for nothing beyond the download.

Audio Function Generator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Audio Function Generator has 2.2K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 86% of Circuit Playground's written reviews are positive against 77% of Audio Function Generator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Circuit Playground | Audio Function Generator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circuit-playground/id492487671/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audio-function-generator/id768229610/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **2.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **86.0% of reviews** | 77.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adafruit Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/492487674) | [Thomas Gruber](https://appshunter.io/developer/342699861) |

## What reviewers say

### Circuit Playground

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circuit-playground/id492487671)

This app serves as a comprehensive electronics reference and calculation tool. It helps makers and hobbyists by simplifying complex calculations for various circuits, deciphering component codes, and providing essential diagrams.

**Highlights:** Circuit value calculations, Resistor and capacitor code deciphering, Ohm's Law and power calculators, Number and character conversions, Series/parallel component calculations, IC and connector pinout diagrams

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Clean, intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- 🚀 Fast load times and responsive performance
- 📚 Comprehensive reference tools and calculators
- 🎯 Resistor and capacitor color code tools
- 📍 Useful pinout references for various boards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ⚠️ Outdated and needs regular updates
- ❌ Limited calculator functionality and flexibility
- 🎨 Poor visual design in some areas
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening multiple capacitors section
- LED Resistor Help Menu crashes the app
- Wavelength to Colour slider inoperable until text field activated
- Capacitor code function broken (incorrect default values)
- Number converter only accepts value 50

**Requested features**

- Update USB Type-C connector information
- Add transistor pinouts and HFE values
- Transistor and op-amp calculators
- Voltage divider calculator
- Arduino and Raspberry Pi pinout references


### Audio Function Generator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audio-function-generator/id768229610)

Generate various audio test tones, including sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth waves. Explore frequency and volume sweeps, noise generation, and custom preset creation. Advanced features like extended frequency ranges and multi-tone playback are available with an upgrade.

**Highlights:** Generate sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth tones, Frequency and volume sweep generation, Noise generation (white, pink, violet, etc.), Custom preset creation and saving, Extended frequency range (PRO feature), Multi-tone playback (PRO feature)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to PRO | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app
- 🎶 Helps with Tinnitus
- 💯 Best app I've paid for
- 🔍 Highly recommended
- 🎨 Attention to detail

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes
- 💰 Deceptive/Money hungry
- 🔒 Basic features paywalled
- 🔒 Limited without paying
- 🔒 Removed functionality to push paid version

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch
- Volume slider issues
- Airplay not working
- Sound distortion when display is active

**Requested features**

- Add download/save feature for custom sounds
- Improve sweep function (continuous mode, better frequency control)
- Add more multi-frequency rows
- Implement 432Hz base frequency option
- Add phase control for noise generators


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Circuit Playground free?

Circuit Playground costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Audio Function Generator free?

Audio Function Generator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Circuit Playground or Audio Function Generator?

Audio Function Generator is rated higher. Circuit Playground averages 4.3 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Audio Function Generator averages 4.7 from 2.2K ratings.

### Do Circuit Playground or Audio Function Generator have ads?

Neither Circuit Playground nor Audio Function Generator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Circuit Playground or Audio Function Generator?

Circuit Playground ships an update every 6 weeks, and Audio Function Generator every 6 weeks. Most recently, Circuit Playground was updated on September 26, 2026 and Audio Function Generator on September 29, 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.*