# Tapes vs Variables

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Variables at none against Tapes's 2. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tapes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Variables asks for nothing beyond the download.

Tapes ships an update every 2 months, Variables every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tapes | Variables |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Size | 99 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jeffrey Asante](https://appshunter.io/developer/1828441141) | [Johannes Klumpe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838329115) |

## What reviewers say

### Tapes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapes-audio-studio/id6756759101)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tapes Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Tapes Pro Monthly | $44.99 | per year |


### Variables

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variables-measure-everything/id6757949097)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tapes free?

Tapes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Variables free?

Variables is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Tapes or Variables have ads?

Neither Tapes nor Variables shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tapes or Variables?

Tapes ships an update every 2 months, and Variables every 3 months. Most recently, Tapes was updated on October 24, 2026 and Variables 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.*