Comparison

Pianoteq 9 vs TextMetronome

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

TextMetronome

Features
Read full description

TextMetronome is a rhythm practice tool built around a simple idea: type a rhythm, hear and see it immediately. Try it in your browser: https://textmetronome.peckels.com/ Instead of building patterns through menus and clicking, you enter them as text. A syntax such as 4q 4e can be entered in seconds, while fraction-based polyrhythms such as 3:2, 5:3x, 4:7e, 14:3, and 16:3 are also supported. Visual feedback helps you follow the cycle, either as a single circular view or through individual rhythmic pairings. This makes it fast to test note values, tuplets, dotted notes, rests, accents, and polyrhythmic relationships in a direct and flexible way. Whether you are practicing, teaching, composing, or checking an idea, TextMetronome helps you hear rhythmic structures quickly and clearly. # Features: - Text-based rhythm input - One single input field and one play button - Pattern Orbit Visualisation - Digital and sample based click sounds - Fast syntax such as simple patterns 4q 4e (q-uarter e-ight notes) and tuplets. up to 9 (t-riplets, etc.) - Support for fraction-based polyrhythms such as 3:2 14:3, and 16:3 but also precise ratios e.g.: 5:3t (5 clicks over 3 triplets) - Circular visualisation of rhythmic cycles - Alternative visualisation of individual rhythm pairs - Presets save - Built-in example presets - Light and dark themes

Screenshots

Pianoteq 94 screens
TextMetronome4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pianoteq 9 at Free against TextMetronome's $2.99. Pianoteq 9 also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). TextMetronome's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On ads 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

Pianoteq 9 is free to download; TextMetronome costs $2.99 up front. Pianoteq 9 sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. TextMetronome asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pianoteq 9 ships an update every 3 weeks, TextMetronome every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pianoteq 9 versus TextMetronome: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPianoteq 9TextMetronome
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.9 (58 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings58 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperModarttFunkyDrumTutor

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

TextMetronome

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pianoteq 9 free?
Pianoteq 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TextMetronome free?
TextMetronome costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pianoteq 9 or TextMetronome have ads?
Neither Pianoteq 9 nor TextMetronome shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pianoteq 9 or TextMetronome?
Pianoteq 9 ships an update every 3 weeks, and TextMetronome every 6 days. Most recently, Pianoteq 9 was updated on October 27, 2026 and TextMetronome on October 20, 2026.

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