Comparison

Pianoteq 9 vs Blofeld

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

Head to head
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.

About

Blofeld

Experience the classic Waldorf synthesizer sound on your iPad with this app. It offers a powerful wavetable engine for rich, expressive tones and can control hardware units. Compatible with existing soundsets and popular hosts, it brings iconic sounds to your mobile music production.

Highlights
  • Wavetable synthesis engine
  • AUv3 support
  • Hardware control
  • Compatible with existing soundsets
  • Classic Waldorf sound character
Read full description

The versatile Waldorf synthesizer classic Blofeld now also available for iPad including auv3 for hosts like Logic, Garageband, Cubasis, AUM and others. With the Blofeld app you can also control your hardware and it is compatible with existing Blofeld soundsets. The sound generation of the Blofeld plugin delivers the typical fat and rich Waldorf sound character that so many Waldorf users worldwide love when they are playing their Blofeld, Q, Q+, Microwave, Microwave II/XT or even the flagship, the Wave. The secret of its sound is a powerful wavetable engine that enables these intense and expressive sounds. This unique synthesis system is based on the revolutionary PPG synthesizers of the early 80s. When you hear the Blofeld for the first time, you’ll immediately remember those edgy, assertive or bell-like timbres that have been an integral part of countless worldwide hits since the PPG era.

Screenshots

Pianoteq 94 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pianoteq 9 at Free against Blofeld's $24.99. Pianoteq 9 also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (75% vs 62%). Blofeld's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19). On ratings volume, 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

Pianoteq 9 is free to download; Blofeld costs $24.99 up front. Pianoteq 9 sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. Blofeld asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pianoteq 9 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 28 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Pianoteq 9's written reviews are positive against 62% of Blofeld's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pianoteq 9 versus Blofeld: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPianoteq 9Blofeld
PriceFree — better$24.99
Rating5.0 (46 ratings) — better4.6 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better62.1% of reviews
Number of ratings46 — better28
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperModarttWaldorf Music

Customer experience

Pianoteq 9

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

Blofeld

All ratings28 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive62.1%
Neutral17.2%
Negative20.7%

Bugs and requests

Pianoteq 9

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Blofeld

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • No presets at first, had to delete and re-download the app
  • Some old sysex files don't import properly

Requested features

2 requests
  • Physical emulation mode based on the desktop hardware device
  • Ability to favorite presets

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
None

Blofeld

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pianoteq 9 free?
Pianoteq 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Blofeld free?
Blofeld costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pianoteq 9 or Blofeld?
Pianoteq 9 is rated higher. Pianoteq 9 averages 5.0 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Blofeld averages 4.6 from 28 ratings.
Do Pianoteq 9 or Blofeld have ads?
Neither Pianoteq 9 nor Blofeld shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pianoteq 9 or Blofeld?
Pianoteq 9 ships an update every 3 weeks, and Blofeld every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pianoteq 9 was updated on September 22, 2026 and Blofeld on September 18, 2026.

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