Comparison

Pitch Shift (Key Change) vs Varispeed Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

This music player allows real-time pitch shifting and a 31-band equalizer. It supports AUv3 effects, loop playback, and exporting processed audio. Import audio files from other apps or your music library.

Highlights
  • Real-time pitch shifting
  • 31-band equalizer
  • AUv3 effects support
  • A-B loop playback
  • Center Cancel/Emphasis
  • Audio file export
  • Background playback
Read full description

[ Important Notice ] With this version (7.0.0), we are ending regular updates for this app. You can continue using this app, but future development and updates will continue in 'Audio Unit Player', which includes this app's functionality. 'Audio Unit Player' is a free app that supports both speed and pitch adjustment and includes a 31-band equalizer with no band restrictions. Data Transfer: File information registered in this app is not transferred automatically to 'Audio Unit Player'. Use the Files app to manually copy any files you need."; ================================================ This app is a music player that can process the following effects in real time. - Pitch shift (-1 ~ +1 octave) - 31 band equalizer (required In-App Purchase) - Reverb - AUv3 (Audio Unit v3) host If you play a musical instrument or sing a song, this app should be supported by you higher / lower the pitch. [Function] - Perform pitch shift in real time (-12 - +12). - 31 bands EQ (Hz: 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1k, 1.25k, 1.6k, 2k, 2.5k, 3.15k, 4k, 5k, 6.3k, 8k, 10k, 12.5k, 16k, 20k). (Initiality, only 3 bands are available. It's possible to use 31 bands by In-App Purchase.) - EQ preset (Abundant Built-in Presets / Custom Presets) (required In-App Purchase). - Reverb: Adjustable decay time (Low freq, High freq) / 13 presets - Reverb preset (Built-in Presets / Custom Presets) - Can be used as an AUv3 host. - A-B loop playback. - Center Cancel / Center Emphasis. - Lch, Rch each mute. - Quick fast forward, rewind (specify the number of seconds). - Check and set current position graphically in wave view. - Supports Auto-Lock ON/OFF. - Supports background playback. - Supports export (file writing) function (Each effect (pitch/EQ) value set for each song is also reflected. The range specified in the loop section is output.) In addition to loading music data included in the standard "music" app, it also supports the function to import audio files from other apps ("Voice Memos" etc.). [How to import from "Voice Memos"] 1. Start the app "Voice Memos" and tap the mark "..." of the file to be imported from the list. 2. Tap "Share" on the sheet displayed from the bottom. 3. Tap "More" found by scrolling the displayed list of sharing destination apps to the right. 4. Select "Pitch Shift" if available. The file is copied to this app. ================================================ [Note 1] This application will not be able to read songs of the following formats. - Songs from Apple Music, iCloud, iTunes Match - Songs that are protected by digital copyright (DRM) [Note 2] Depending on the state of your device, your custom AUv3 effects may not appear in the list. As a solution, you can solve the problem by starting "GarageBand" once and restarting this app. ================================================

About

Varispeed Simulator

This application simulates the variable speed and pitch control found on old tape machines. It allows users to upload and manipulate audio, offering features like a real-time scrubber and audio reversal. Export your modified audio creations.

Highlights
  • Variable speed and pitch control
  • Upload and manipulate any audio
  • Pitch detector with key display
  • Real-time audio scrubber
  • Audio reversal tool
  • Export Varisped audio
Features
Read full description

Varispeed—or variable speed oscillation—is a feature on many old tape machines which allows users to manually adjust the speed and pitch of a recording, often with a dial. The slower the tape runs, the slower the recording is, and the lower it is in pitch. The faster the tape runs, the faster the recording is, and the higher it is in pitch. Other popular digital Varispeeds exist as external plugins or gated off, subscriber-only features of apps; this standalone Varispeed Simulator is the first of its kind for iOS, and it’s free! This first build features: -An intuitive user interface and hand-drawn design. -The ability to upload and manipulate the speed and pitch of any audio. -A pitch detector which displays major and minor keys. -A real-time audio scrubber. -An audio reversal tool. -The ability to export Varisped audio!

Screenshots

Pitch Shift (Key Change)2 screens
Varispeed Simulator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Varispeed Simulator at 100% against Pitch Shift (Key Change)'s 50%. Varispeed Simulator also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Pitch Shift (Key Change)'s advantage is ratings volume (85 vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price 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. Pitch Shift (Key Change) sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Varispeed Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Varispeed Simulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pitch Shift (Key Change) has 85 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Pitch Shift (Key Change)'s written reviews are positive against 100% of Varispeed Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pitch Shift (Key Change) ships an update every 2 months, Varispeed Simulator every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Pitch Shift (Key Change) versus Varispeed Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPitch Shift (Key Change)Varispeed Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (85 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings85 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLoop-Sessions.LLC.Morgan Troper

Customer experience

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

All ratings85 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.9%
Negative37.1%

Varispeed Simulator

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

One-time2
  • 31 bands equalizer$0.99
  • Always remove banner ads.$2.99
None

Varispeed Simulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pitch Shift (Key Change) free?
Pitch Shift (Key Change) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Varispeed Simulator free?
Varispeed Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pitch Shift (Key Change) or Varispeed Simulator?
Varispeed Simulator is rated higher. Pitch Shift (Key Change) averages 4.4 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Varispeed Simulator averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Pitch Shift (Key Change) or Varispeed Simulator have ads?
Pitch Shift (Key Change) shows ads; Varispeed Simulator does not.
Which is updated more often, Pitch Shift (Key Change) or Varispeed Simulator?
Pitch Shift (Key Change) ships an update every 2 months, and Varispeed Simulator every 4 months. Most recently, Pitch Shift (Key Change) was updated on October 13, 2026 and Varispeed Simulator on October 5, 2026.

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