Comparison

Melody vs Pianoteq 9

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

Head to head
About

Melody

Record and visualize songs played on your digital piano. Connect your device via USB to capture performances and export them as videos. Ideal for musicians looking to share their playing.

Highlights
  • Record digital piano performances
  • Visualize songs
  • Export as video
  • USB connection for iPhone/iPad
  • Free to download
Features
Read full description

Melody allows you to record and visualise songs played on your digital piano and export them as videos. Plug your iPhone or iPad to the piano via a USB cable, tap record, and play. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/.

About

Pianoteq 9

This virtual instrument app uses advanced physical modeling to generate realistic sounds for pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, and more. It offers compact file sizes and is trusted by renowned instrument makers. Unlock full instrument access with a license.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling sound generation
  • Realistic playability
  • Compact file size
  • Wide range of instruments
  • Plugin support for DAWs
  • New Syngular synthesizer
Features
Read full description

PIANOTEQ 9: THE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT Pianoteq is an award-winning virtual instrument that simulates a wide range of instruments including pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, vibraphones, guitars, steel drums, and more, using advanced physical modeling. Unlike traditional virtual instruments that use recorded sounds, Pianoteq generates sounds in real-time by calculating the physics of how strings vibrate and how the soundboard radiates sound. Why Pianoteq Stands Out: - Natural Playability: Physical modeling captures many of the subtle interactions and dynamic nuances found in acoustic instruments, providing a responsive playing experience. - Compact Size: Without relying on large sample libraries, Pianoteq requires only a fraction of the storage space of many virtual instruments, making it ideal for iPhone and iPad. Trusted by the Best: Steinway, Kawai, Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Petrof, Steingraeber, Grotrian, Blüthner, and Hohner have all endorsed Pianoteq for its faithful sound reproduction. Getting Started: - Connect a MIDI device to your iPad/iPhone. - Launch Pianoteq. - Start playing! Pianoteq also works as a plugin in any Audio Unit host application, such as GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Camelot, and more. Note: All instruments run in demo mode (with some keys disabled) until you purchase a Pianoteq STAGE license (unlocks two instruments) or link to an existing Pianoteq user account with a valid license. Licenses purchased on the App Store are valid across other supported platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux). Already own Pianoteq 8? Upgrade to Pianoteq 9 at an attractive upgrade price and unlock a new level of realism and expression. Simply launch Pianoteq 9, click “Restore Purchases”, and follow the instructions. Here’s what’s new in Pianoteq 9: - Richer tone and enhanced spatial depth: all modern and historical grands have been thoroughly revoiced. - A beautiful new Italian Triple Harp joins the Harp pack. - Electric pianos (MKII, Reeds) have been updated. - Expressive new “Sombre” presets for cinematic playing. - A refined, more intuitive mixer panel. - Portrait orientation and windowed mode now supported. - A new instrument: the Syngular synthesiser. Experience your instruments like never before, more vivid, expressive, and alive.

Screenshots

Melody3 screens
Pianoteq 94 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pianoteq 9 at 4.9 against Melody's 3.4. Pianoteq 9 also leads on review sentiment (68% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Melody sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month and Pianoteq 9 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pianoteq 9 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pianoteq 9 has 62 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Melody's written reviews are positive against 68% of Pianoteq 9's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Melody ships an update every 3 months, Pianoteq 9 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Melody versus Pianoteq 9: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMelodyPianoteq 9
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (7 ratings)4.9 (62 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews68.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings762 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrey UfimcevModartt

Customer experience

Melody

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Pianoteq 9

All ratings61 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral3.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral15.8%
Negative15.8%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Melody

Subscriptions1
  • Melody Pro7 Days trial$0.991 Month
10 purchases

Pianoteq 9

One-time10
  • Use existing licenceFree
  • Upgrade to latest version$29.00
  • Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX$49.99
Show 7 more
  • Grand Bösendorfer 280VC$49.99
  • Electric Pianos$49.99
  • Hohner Collection$49.99
  • Upright U4$49.99
  • Syngular$49.99
  • Stage to Standard$129.99
  • Pianoteq STAGE$139.00

Questions

Is Melody free?
Melody is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pianoteq 9 free?
Pianoteq 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Melody or Pianoteq 9?
Pianoteq 9 is rated higher. Melody averages 3.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Pianoteq 9 averages 4.9 from 62 ratings.
Do Melody or Pianoteq 9 have ads?
Neither Melody nor Pianoteq 9 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Melody or Pianoteq 9?
Melody ships an update every 3 months, and Pianoteq 9 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Melody was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pianoteq 9 on November 8, 2026.

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