Comparison

PianoTouch Express vs Starrypad

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

Head to head
About

PianoTouch Express

Learn piano keys with an intuitive interface and two engaging modes. Practice identifying keys and then test your knowledge in a fast-paced challenge. Track your progress and build a solid understanding of the keyboard layout.

Highlights
  • Learn piano key names
  • Practice mode for key identification
  • Challenge mode for timed key tapping
  • Score tracking for progress monitoring
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • Develop keyboard layout understanding
Features
Read full description

Immerse yourself in the world of piano playing with PianoTouch Express, an app that will help you learn the piano keys. Once you know the names of the keys, learning chords will be a breeze, and you'll soon be playing your favorite songs! PianoTouch Express offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to learners of all ages and skill levels. The app features two engaging modes: Practice and Challenge. In Practice mode, you'll be introduced to the names of each piano key. The virtual keyboard showcases the keys, and your task is to match them with their corresponding names. Through repetition and reinforcement, you'll quickly develop a solid understanding of key placement and identification. Once you've gained confidence in recognizing the piano keys, it's time to put your knowledge to the test in Challenge mode. Prepare for an exciting and fast-paced experience where you must swiftly identify and tap the correct keys within a given time limit. The app keeps track of your scores, allowing you to monitor your progress and witness your growth over time. PianoTouch Express goes beyond just memorizing the keys. It aims to help you develop a deep understanding of the keyboard layout, allowing you to effortlessly navigate the piano like a seasoned musician. By learning the relationships between adjacent keys, you'll gain a sense of familiarity and ease when playing chords and melodies. The app strives to make identifying piano keys second nature to you. Whether you have a few minutes to spare or want to dedicate longer sessions to practice, PianoTouch Express adapts to your schedule, ensuring productive and fulfilling learning experiences!

About

Starrypad

Transform your device into a versatile music creation tool. Record and import audio, then assign it to velocity-sensitive pads for playback. Create loops, add layers, and export your work as WAV or MIDI.

Highlights
  • 16 velocity-sensitive pads
  • Built-in drum kits and synth phrases
  • Microphone and audio import
  • Loop recording and layering
  • WAV and MIDI export
  • USB MIDI controller support
Read full description

Starrypad turns your iPhone into a drum pad, looper and sampler. Play sixteen velocity-sensitive pads with acoustic drums, 808 sounds and original synth phrases. The C Synth kit follows your tempo while keeping note pitch independent. Shape each pad with level, pan and tuning in the Mixer. Record from the microphone or import audio from a video you choose, trim the sound and assign it to a pad. Record loops, add layers and undo the latest pass. Switch from recording to playback without stopping the loop. Play along with music from another audio app. Background playback depends on the other app and your audio route. This does not import or record protected streaming audio. Export loops as WAV or MIDI. Connect an optional class-compliant USB MIDI controller. No controller, account or subscription is required. Settings and help support English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. Familiar performance legends stay in English. Audio processing and your recordings stay on the device. Salamander Drumkit by Alexander Holm (CC BY 3.0) TR-808 Sound Sample Set by Michael Fischer via TidalCycles (CC0 1.0) Additional percussion from FreePats (CC0 1.0) Original synthesized rhythm phrases by Starrypad

Screenshots

PianoTouch Express4 screens
Starrypad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Starrypad at none against PianoTouch Express's 1. Starrypad also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months). PianoTouch Express's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume 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. PianoTouch Express sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Starrypad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PianoTouch Express holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PianoTouch Express ships an update every 5 months, Starrypad every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PianoTouch Express versus Starrypad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPianoTouch ExpressStarrypad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrancois DucheminRyo Ijuin

Customer experience

PianoTouch Express

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

Starrypad

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PianoTouch Express

One-time1
  • Full version$0.99
None

Starrypad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PianoTouch Express free?
PianoTouch Express is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Starrypad free?
Starrypad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PianoTouch Express or Starrypad?
PianoTouch Express is rated higher. PianoTouch Express averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Starrypad averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do PianoTouch Express or Starrypad have ads?
PianoTouch Express shows ads; Starrypad does not.
Which is updated more often, PianoTouch Express or Starrypad?
PianoTouch Express ships an update every 5 months, and Starrypad every 10 days. Most recently, PianoTouch Express was updated on September 21, 2026 and Starrypad on October 24, 2026.

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