Comparison

Handpan Rhythms vs Handpan Sim

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

Head to head
About

Handpan Rhythms

Create and hear your own Handpan rhythms with simple notation. Practice with a metronome and explore example rhythms. Play a virtual Handpan directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Compose custom Handpan rhythms
  • Hear rhythms with virtual Handpan
  • Practice with clap metronome
  • Explore example rhythms
  • Play virtual Handpan
  • Custom scale support (premium)
  • Rhythm save/export/import (premium)
Features
Read full description

Using this app you can write your own Handpan rhythm with simple notations and hear how it sounds like with a virtual Handpan! The app also includes a set of popular rhythms as examples. You can also play the rhythm along with the clap sound as a metronome for practicing the tempo. The writing system is based on the names of the Handpan strokes with a precise timing. The user sets the number of beats in the rhythm. Each beat is shown with a box. The time duration of each beat is specified by BPM. This time duration is divided equally between all the notes written in the beat box. Also, you can play a virtual Handpan in the app, if you have no access to a real one. The premium version enables the custom scale, rhythm save, export, and import features. It also removes all ads from the app. The in-app purchase for accessing the premium version is a single-time payment which never expires.

About

Handpan Sim

Explore the meditative sounds of the handpan with this simulator. It offers authentic tones, microtonal tuning, and adjustable effects for creative musical expression. Record and share your performances easily.

Highlights
  • Authentic handpan sounds
  • Microtonal tuning
  • Adjustable reverb and chorus effects
  • Dynamic key sensitivity
  • Multiple play modes
  • Built-in performance recorder
  • Screen recording capability
Features
Read full description

Discover the mesmerizing tones of the handpan, a unique percussion instrument celebrated for its ethereal and meditative qualities. Handpan Sim brings the soothing, resonant sound of this modern instrument to your fingertips, offering a realistic and inspiring platform for musicians, learners, and music enthusiasts. About the Handpan The handpan, often called a "sound sculpture," is a steel percussion instrument played with the hands. Its distinct dome shape produces a rich blend of harmonic overtones and percussive sounds, creating a meditative and immersive musical experience. Originating in the early 2000s, the handpan has become a symbol of relaxation and creativity, widely used in solo performances, yoga, and therapeutic music. Why You’ll Love Handpan Sim Authentic Handpan Sounds Enjoy meticulously sampled handpan tones, capturing its deep, resonant, and harmonic character. Perfect for meditative compositions, rhythmic exploration, or creating serene soundscapes. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability Microtonal Tuning: Adjust pitches for traditional and experimental scales, ideal for world music and microtonal compositions. Transpose Adjustment: Easily shift keys to match your musical preferences or play along with other instruments. Reverb Effects: Add depth and atmosphere to your performance with adjustable reverb. Chorus Mode: Layer your notes with rich harmonies, creating a fuller and more dynamic sound. Dynamic Key Sensitivity: Play with natural expression-soft presses produce quieter tones, while harder presses deliver louder, more powerful notes. Customizable Interface Adjust the layout and sensitivity to match your playing style. Whether you’re learning scales, fingerpicking, or performing energetic solos, Guitar Sim adapts effortlessly to your needs. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Combine notes to create layered, immersive melodies and harmonies. Single Note Mode: Focus on individual tones to refine your technique and explore the handpan’s unique tonalities. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural fade-out effect for smooth and authentic performances. Record Your Performances Capture your handpan music effortlessly with the built-in recorder. Perfect for revisiting your practice sessions, composing new pieces, or sharing your artistry. Share Your Music Easily share your handpan performances with friends, family, or audiences worldwide, spreading the calming and captivating sounds of this unique instrument. Screen Recording Capability: Elevate your musical creativity with Handpan Sim's new screen recording feature. Capture your mesmerizing handpan performances directly within the app, allowing you to effortlessly document your musical journey. Record your improvisations, practice sessions, or complete compositions with a single tap, and instantly share your artistic expressions with friends, fellow musicians, or on social media platforms. This intuitive recording functionality ensures that no moment of musical inspiration is lost, empowering you to preserve and share the unique, ethereal sounds of your handpan exploration. What Makes Handpan Sim Unique? True-to-Life Sound: Every note mirrors the harmonic richness and resonance of a real handpan, offering an authentic musical experience. Relaxation and Creativity: Explore the handpan’s role in meditation, yoga, and therapeutic music while experimenting with its endless creative potential. Elegant Design: A sleek, intuitive interface ensures a seamless experience for musicians of all levels. Creative Freedom: Whether playing tranquil melodies or experimenting with rhythmic patterns, Handpan Sim inspires limitless possibilities for musical expression. Download Handpan Sim today and let the hypnotic tones of the handpan inspire your music!

Screenshots

Handpan Rhythms4 screens
Handpan Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

Handpan Rhythms and Handpan Sim both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of Handpan Rhythms's written reviews are positive against 50% of Handpan Sim's. Handpan Sim's advantage is ratings volume (37 vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Handpan Rhythms sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Handpan Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Handpan Rhythms against 4.5 for Handpan Sim. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Handpan Sim has 37 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Handpan Rhythms's written reviews are positive against 50% of Handpan Sim's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on August 27, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Handpan Rhythms versus Handpan Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandpan RhythmsHandpan Sim
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6 ratings)4.5 (37 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings637 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBita SobhaniAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Handpan Rhythms

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

Handpan Sim

All ratings37 ratings
Positive83.8%
Neutral5.4%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Handpan Rhythms

One-time1
  • Premium$14.99
1 purchases

Handpan Sim

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Handpan Rhythms free?
Handpan Rhythms is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Handpan Sim free?
Handpan Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Handpan Rhythms or Handpan Sim?
Handpan Rhythms and Handpan Sim are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 37 ratings respectively.
Do Handpan Rhythms or Handpan Sim have ads?
Both Handpan Rhythms and Handpan Sim show ads.
Which is updated more often, Handpan Rhythms or Handpan Sim?
Handpan Rhythms ships an update every 4 months, and Handpan Sim every 4 months. Most recently, Handpan Rhythms was updated on August 27, 2026 and Handpan Sim on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons