Comparison

Jamulus 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

Jamulus

Connect with musicians worldwide for real-time, low-latency online jamming, rehearsals, and performances. Compatible with desktop versions, it enables bands, choirs, and individuals to play together seamlessly over the internet, regardless of location.

Highlights
  • Real-time online jamming
  • Low-latency sound
  • Remote rehearsals
  • Global musician connection
  • High-quality audio
  • Cross-platform compatibility
Features
Read full description

This is the official Jamulus App for iPad and iPhone compatible with Jamulus on your desktop. You should use wired headphones and a stable internet connection for good performance. For best performance, a wired audio interface and a wired internet connection or stable 5G cellular is highly recommended! Jamulus lets you play, rehearse, or jam with your friends, your band, or anyone you find online. Play together remotely in time with high quality, low-latency sound on a normal internet connection. All over the world Jamulus allows choirs to rehearse and rock bands to play. Jamulus brings folk and classical musicians together. It’s being used for remote music lessons, in schools and universities, in private and in public — all in real time on the Internet, as if you were there in person.

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

Jamulus2 screens
Pianoteq 94 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Jamulus at none against Pianoteq 9's 19. Pianoteq 9's advantage is ratings volume (46 vs 1). 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. Pianoteq 9 sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. Jamulus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Jamulus against 5.0 for Pianoteq 9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pianoteq 9 has 46 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Jamulus ships an update monthly, Pianoteq 9 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Jamulus versus Pianoteq 9: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJamulusPianoteq 9
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (46 ratings)
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings146 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB68 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperJonathan ChungModartt

Customer experience

Jamulus

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Pianoteq 9

All ratings46 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative18.8%

In-app purchases

None

Jamulus

No in-app purchases

19 purchases

Pianoteq 9

One-time19
  • Use existing licenceFree
  • Upgrade to latest version$29.00
  • Classical Guitar$49.99
Show 16 more
  • Steelpans$49.99
  • Grand Blüthner$49.99
  • Grand Petrof$49.99
  • Grand YC5$49.99
  • Harp$49.99
  • Grand Steinway B$49.99
  • Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX$49.99
  • Grand Steingraeber$49.99
  • 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
  • Standard to Pro$129.99
  • Pianoteq STAGE$139.00

Questions

Is Jamulus free?
Jamulus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pianoteq 9 free?
Pianoteq 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Jamulus or Pianoteq 9?
Jamulus and Pianoteq 9 are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 46 ratings respectively.
Do Jamulus or Pianoteq 9 have ads?
Neither Jamulus nor Pianoteq 9 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Jamulus or Pianoteq 9?
Jamulus ships an update monthly, and Pianoteq 9 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Jamulus was updated on September 30, 2026 and Pianoteq 9 on October 1, 2026.

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