Comparison

Piano Solo Studio vs Calliope Sim

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

Head to head
About

Piano Solo Studio

Learn and play piano with a versatile app featuring a full keyboard, 47 songs, 21 instruments, and MIDI controller support. Record your performances and export them in various formats. Suitable for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Full 85-key piano with adjustable display
  • 47 songs across four difficulty levels
  • 21 virtual instruments
  • MIDI keyboard connectivity (USB/Bluetooth)
  • Song recording and export (MP3, WAV, MIDI)
  • Four chord modes
Features
Read full description

Why use Piano Solo Studio? Because it is the definitive tool for playing piano on your iPhone or iPad. Easy to use, forty-seven songs to learn, twenty-one virtual instruments, four chord modes and advanced features make it suitable for beginners and for advanced musicians alike. You can record what you play and export it to several formats, and you can connect a MIDI keyboard over USB or Bluetooth and multiply your creativity. The main features are: - Easy and intuitive user interface - Full 85-key piano, and you set how many keys fit on screen, from 6 to 26. A strip with the whole keyboard shows where you are and lights up what is playing - Four chord modes: Autochord, with major and minor chord strips above the keys; Dual Piano, with two keyboards; Face to Face, so two people can play with the tablet flat on the table; and Chord Pads, a grid of chords next to the keyboard - Forty-seven popular and classic songs to learn, in four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert. Slow them down, jump to any point and play along - Twenty-one instruments: grand piano, bright piano, honky tonk, harpsichord, FM synthesizer, synthesizer, pipe organ, classical guitar, overdriven guitar, acoustic guitar, xylophone, 8-bit, harp, saxophone, violin, accordion, clarinet, choir, sitar, banjo and tuba - Note labels on the keys: on every key, only on the C keys, or none at all - Five notations to choose from: C D E F G A B, German (H), DO RE MI, Japanese and Bengali - Connect a keyboard controller over MIDI USB, or pair a wireless one over Bluetooth MIDI from the settings screen. Notes, velocity, pitch bend and sustain pedal, all live - Pitch bend wheel, on the left or on the right, wherever your hand is - Easy to use metronome, from 40 to 300 BPM - Transposition up to ten semitones either way - Equalizer, delay, reverb and compressor, with presets - Record your songs in any mode and export them to MP3, OGG, WAV or MIDI, chords and effects included. Share the file with your friends - Playback speed control. Set position and speed both in the included songs and in your own recordings - Low latency, tuned so the note sounds the instant you touch the key - This app is free, but you can acquire a permanent premium license to remove the ads and unlock every instrument and every lesson. One payment, no subscription Questions or ideas? Write to info@batalsoft.com

About

Calliope Sim

Experience the nostalgic charm of traditional fairgrounds and circuses with this realistic calliope simulator. It offers authentic sounds and advanced features like microtonal tuning and reverb for expressive musical performances. Record and share your creations easily.

Highlights
  • Authentic calliope sound sample
  • Microtonal tuning
  • Transpose adjustment
  • Reverb effects
  • Chorus mode
  • Dynamic key sensitivity
  • Built-in recorder
  • Shareable performances
Features
Read full description

Step into the whimsical world of traditional fairgrounds, circuses, and vintage steam organs with Calliope Sim! This app captures the nostalgic charm and high-quality sound of the calliope, offering a realistic and immersive experience for musicians, learners, and enthusiasts alike. Featuring a carefully sampled single calliope sound, Calliope Sim delivers a playful yet powerful playing experience. With advanced features like microtonal tuning, transpose adjustment, reverb effects, chorus mode, and dynamic key sensitivity, Calliope Sim puts vibrant, expressive music right at your fingertips. About the Calliope The calliope is a unique and cheerful instrument, originally used in steamboats and circuses to draw attention with its bright, piercing tones. Its sound is created by steam or compressed air pushing through tuned whistles, producing a lively and unmistakable voice. From carnival fanfares to vintage melodies, the calliope evokes a sense of celebration and nostalgia. Why You’ll Love Calliope Sim Authentic Calliope Sound Features a real calliope sound sample, capturing the brilliant and festive character of the instrument. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability Microtonal Tuning: Explore alternative scales and musical traditions with precision pitch adjustments. Transpose Adjustment: Quickly shift keys to match other instruments or suit your vocal range. Reverb Effects: Add atmosphere and space to your performance with customizable reverb. Chorus Mode: Enrich your sound with layered harmonics, enhancing the calliope’s natural brightness. Dynamic Key Sensitivity: Play expressively—light touches create soft whistles, while firm presses produce bold, resonant tones. Customizable Interface Tailor the layout and sensitivity to your style. Whether you're recreating carnival music or composing whimsical soundscapes, Calliope Sim adapts to your creative needs. Record Your Performances Effortlessly capture your music with the built-in recorder—ideal for composing, practicing, or sharing. Share Your Music Easily share your calliope performances with friends, family, or audiences around the world. What Makes Calliope Sim Unique? Authentic Sound: Every note reflects the joyful, dynamic tones of a real calliope. Innovative Controls: Microtonal tuning, reverb, transpose, and dynamic key sensitivity provide full musical freedom. Elegant Design: A sleek and intuitive interface makes the app enjoyable and accessible for everyone. Creative Possibilities: Perfect for circus music, nostalgic themes, experimental tracks, or cinematic scores. Download Calliope Sim today and let the joyful sound of the calliope brighten your musical journey!

Screenshots

Piano Solo Studio4 screens
Calliope Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Calliope Sim at 4 against Piano Solo Studio's 1. Calliope Sim also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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. Piano Solo Studio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Calliope 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 — 5.0 for Piano Solo Studio against 5.0 for Calliope Sim. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Piano Solo Studio ships an update every 2 months, Calliope Sim every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Piano Solo Studio versus Calliope Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPiano Solo StudioCalliope Sim
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB114 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBatalsoftAlper Kahriman

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Piano Solo Studio

One-time1
  • Premium$7.99
1 purchases

Calliope Sim

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Piano Solo Studio free?
Piano Solo Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Calliope Sim free?
Calliope Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Piano Solo Studio or Calliope Sim?
Piano Solo Studio and Calliope Sim are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Piano Solo Studio or Calliope Sim have ads?
Both Piano Solo Studio and Calliope Sim show ads.
Which is updated more often, Piano Solo Studio or Calliope Sim?
Piano Solo Studio ships an update every 2 months, and Calliope Sim every 3 months. Most recently, Piano Solo Studio was updated on November 4, 2026 and Calliope Sim on October 30, 2026.

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