Koto Sim vs Guzheng ´
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Koto Sim
Experience the authentic sound and feel of Japan's national string instrument. This app offers realistic koto tones, customizable interfaces, and multiple play modes for musicians and enthusiasts. Record and share your creations within an immersive simulation.
- Authentic koto sounds
- Customizable interface and tuning
- Three dynamic play modes
- Built-in recorder
- Screen recording for sharing
- Immersive simulation environment
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Step into the serene world of the koto, Japan's national string instrument, celebrated for its delicate tones and timeless beauty. Koto Sim brings the authentic sound and feel of this iconic instrument to your fingertips, offering a realistic and inspiring platform for musicians, learners, and music enthusiasts. About the Koto The koto is a traditional Japanese string instrument with a long, elegant body and movable bridges. Typically with 13 strings (though there are variations), it produces a bright, resonant sound that is both calming and expressive. Rooted in Japanese classical music, the koto has evolved into modern genres, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Why You’ll Love Koto Sim Authentic Koto Sounds Enjoy meticulously sampled koto tones, capturing the instrument’s bright, resonant, and expressive character. Perfect for traditional Japanese melodies or exploring modern compositions. Customizable Interface Adjust the key layout, bridge positions, and even tuning settings with advanced controls like microtone adjustments and transpose. Whether you’re performing classic koto pieces or crafting a new tuning style, Koto Sim adapts effortlessly to your creative flow. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Play multiple strings to create rich, layered harmonies and flowing melodies. Single Note Mode: Focus on individual strings — ideal for mastering traditional techniques and scales. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural fade-out effect for smooth, authentic performances. Record and Share Your Music Capture your koto music effortlessly with the built-in recorder — or go one step further and record your entire screen performance to share with the world. Whether for progress tracking, social media, or artistic expression, sharing is seamless and intuitive. Immersive Simulation Screen Dive into a visually detailed, lifelike simulation environment that replicates the experience of playing a real koto. The authentic layout and animations make every note feel genuine. What Makes Koto Sim Unique? True-to-Life Sound: Every note replicates the elegant, resonant tones of a real koto, offering an authentic musical experience. Cultural Significance: Immerse yourself in the heritage of Japanese classical music while exploring modern adaptations. Elegant Design: A sleek, intuitive interface ensures a seamless experience for musicians of all levels. Creative Freedom: From traditional koto melodies to experimental microtonal fusion, Koto Sim opens the door to limitless musical expression. Download Koto Sim today and let the graceful tones of the koto inspire your music!
Guzheng ´
This app transforms your iPhone into a playable 21-string Chinese zither, featuring real recorded samples for authentic sound. Explore multiple stringed voices, customize board styles, and tune with built-in tools. Record your performances as MIDI or audio and play along with imported tracks.
- Real recorded guzheng samples
- Multiple stringed voices
- Customizable board styles
- Built-in tuning fork and metronome
- MIDI and audio recording
- Play along with backing tracks
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Guzheng turns your iPhone into a 21-string Chinese zither you can actually play. Every note is a real recorded sample, not a synth tone. Glide across the strings and you get the sweep that makes the guzheng instantly recognisable; press a string and the pitch bends the way it does on a real instrument. EIGHT STRINGED VOICES Guzheng and Koto are free from the start. Unlock Zhuque, Qionghua, Zokuso and the Vietnamese Zither, or go Premium for Pipa and Banjo. Each one has its own sample set, not a filtered copy of the last. BUILT FOR FINGERS Pinch the note column with two fingers to zoom in when you want fewer, wider strings, then scroll to the register you need. Jianpu numbers on every string tell you where you are. FIVE BOARD STYLES Blue cloud, gold wave, ink cloud, crimson swirl and jade mist. Each is drawn in code so it stays sharp on any screen, and the body and side rail change colour to match. Add drifting petals and set how heavy the fall should be, or use a photo of your own as the board. TUNE BY EAR OR BY METER The built-in tuning fork listens through the microphone and shows how far each string sits from pitch. A metronome with adjustable tempo and time signature keeps your right hand honest. RECORD AND KEEP IT Capture what you play as MIDI, or record straight through the microphone. Rename, share, or import MIDI files from anywhere on your device and play them back on the board. PLAY ALONG Import a backing track from a video in your photo library or an audio file in Files. The app pulls the audio out and plays it while you perform over the top. Available in 18 languages. Premium is a single one-time purchase, not a subscription.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Koto Sim at 5.0 against Guzheng ´'s 1.0. Koto Sim also leads on ratings volume (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Guzheng ´'s advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Koto Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Guzheng ´ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Koto Sim holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.
Koto Sim ships an update every 4 weeks, Guzheng ´ every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Koto Sim | Guzheng ´ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 125 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alper Kahriman | Tran Tien |
In-app purchases
Koto Sim
- Get Premium$8.99
Guzheng ´
- Premium$4.99








