# Scaler 3 vs Fishtail

The clearest difference is update cadence: Fishtail at every 3 days against Scaler 3's fortnightly. Scaler 3's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (165 vs 7). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scaler 3 costs $12.99 and Fishtail $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scaler 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scaler 3 has 165 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Scaler 3's written reviews are positive against 50% of Fishtail's.

Scaler 3 ships an update fortnightly, Fishtail every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Scaler 3 | Fishtail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$12.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (165 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scaler-3/id6749147552/reviews)** | [4.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fishtail/id6790423528/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **165** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **56.7% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 1.1 GB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scaler Music](https://appshunter.io/developer/1603180477) | [AMY NICOLA MCBRIDE](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790423530) |

## What reviewers say

### Scaler 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scaler-3/id6749147552)

This music theory workstation helps you discover chords, explore harmony, and build complete musical ideas. It offers a redesigned workflow, expanded creative potential, and powerful new capabilities for songwriting and music production.

**Highlights:** Discover music's key with MIDI and audio detection, Access over 1,000 chord sets, keys, and modes, Build intelligent chord progressions with automatic voice-leading, Structure full musical ideas with Scenes and Arrange Page, Transform chords into melodies, basslines, and phrases, Explore harmony with Circle of Fifths and modulation tools, Host AUv3 plugins and interoperate with desktop versions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Fishtail

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fishtail/id6790423528)

This app generates complete musical forms using algorithmic composition based on music theory. Users can shape, perform, and rearrange these compositions, routing seven musical channels to their chosen instruments via MIDI. It offers extensive control over keys, modes, and expressive elements.

**Highlights:** Algorithmic music generation, Multi-section compositions, Seven-channel MIDI output, Retain, reorder, and perform Takes, Multiple intonation systems, AUv3 MIDI plug-in support, Ableton Link integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Scaler 3 free?

Scaler 3 costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Fishtail free?

Fishtail costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Scaler 3 or Fishtail?

Scaler 3 is rated higher. Scaler 3 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 165 ratings, while Fishtail averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.

### Do Scaler 3 or Fishtail have ads?

Neither Scaler 3 nor Fishtail shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Scaler 3 or Fishtail?

Scaler 3 ships an update fortnightly, and Fishtail every 3 days. Most recently, Scaler 3 was updated on October 25, 2026 and Fishtail on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*