Comparison

Drones vs TinyTone

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

Head to head
About

Drones

Craft personalized audio environments with custom noise generation and a library of ambient sounds. Mix up to four sources, set a sleep timer, and save your unique soundscapes. Enjoy a one-time purchase for full access to all features and future updates.

Highlights
  • Custom noise generation (pink, white, brown)
  • Adjustable frequency filters
  • Mix up to 4 audio sources
  • 50+ catalog sounds
  • Sleep timer with fade-out
  • Save and replay custom mixes
  • Generative album art
Features
Read full description

Drones is a library of 50+ sounds plus tools to mix and create your own noise or endless soundscapes. CREATE CUSTOM NOISE Generate pink, white, brown, and other noise colors with adjustable frequency filters. Fine-tune the exact sound that works for you. MIX YOUR SOUNDSCAPES Combine up to 4 sources — your custom noises plus our catalog — in a simple mixer. Slow loops down and re-pitch them until a mix is unmistakably yours. 50+ CATALOG SOUNDS, ONE ARTIST A library of field recordings, ambient drones, and environmental audio — all recorded and produced by a single ambient artist. IMPORT YOUR SOUNDS Import sounds from your files. Set loop start and end positions along with fades. Use your sounds alongside library sounds ADD EFFECTS TO YOUR MIXES Reverb, Echo, Tape Wobble, Pitch Shift, Drift and more. SLEEP TIMER Gradually fade out your mix and drift off without worrying about stopping playback. SAVE & REPLAY Save your noises and mixes to a personal library, each with generative pixel album art. Some use Drones for sleep. Some for live performance or music production. Others for focus while working or studying. Some just love the sounds. However you use it, Drones is yours to explore. Drones is a pay-once ambient noise mixer for people who want to craft their sound, not rent it. No subscriptions — ever. After 7 day trial, free users still have access to 15 unique loops.

About

TinyTone

Create professional synth patches for music production and live performance. Design sounds in real-time with a powerful synthesizer engine, dual oscillators, and extensive modulation options. Export and import patches, and use it as an AUv3 plugin in DAWs.

Highlights
  • Powerful synthesizer engine
  • Dual oscillators with FM synthesis
  • Real-time audition with touch pads
  • External MIDI keyboard support
  • Unlimited user patch storage
  • AUv3 Audio Unit support
  • JSON export/import for patches
Features
Read full description

TinyTone is a full-featured synthesizer sound source for iPhone sound design, stage performance, and recording. Using the on-screen controllers and a MIDI keyboard, you can design and monitor professional synth patches in real time. In addition to standalone app use, ToneEditor can also be loaded as an AUv3 Audio Unit into DAWs such as GarageBand and used as a sound source. It also works as a sound editor for its sister app, TinyTone, allowing you to reproduce consistent sounds with the same sound engine. <Features> ・Powerful Synthesizer Engine Equipped with dual oscillators, envelopes, filters, modulation, delay, limiter, and more. Enables complex sound design. Dual Oscillators with FM Synthesis, switch between Mix and Chain modes for rich tonal possibilities. ・Real-Time Audition Play single notes, chords, and transposition using touch pads. Hear sound changes instantly as you adjust sliders. External input via MIDI keyboard is also supported. ・Preset Management Unlimited user patch storage. ・JSON Export / Import Export patches as JSON. Share via Files app or clipboard. ・AUv3 Support Can be embedded as an AU instrument in DAWs like GarageBand. Reproduces consistent sounds with the same synthesis engine. <How to Use> 【Standalone】 1. Select a preset or start creating from a new patch. 2. Play sounds using the test pad at the bottom of the screen; adjust parameters with sliders to confirm real-time sound changes. 3. Save your created patch to a user slot. 【Using with DAWs (GarageBand, etc.)】 1. Add TinyTone (AU) to a track. 2. Select a factory preset or saved patch from the AU preset selection screen. 3. Play the DAW keyboard to output sound. <Important> ・When using simultaneously with camera or audio apps, noise may occur depending on your environment. Please be careful with output volume. ・Listening to loud audio for extended periods can affect your hearing. When using headphones or speakers, always check your surroundings and volume level. ・Some DAWs (e.g. Ableton Live 11) may not detect iOS-app AUv3 plug-ins. Logic Pro, MainStage, and GarageBand are recommended. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://flicker-jp.com/privacy

Screenshots

Drones4 screens
TinyTone3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TinyTone at none against Drones's 1. Drones's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, 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

Both are free to download. Drones sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TinyTone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Drones against 5.0 for TinyTone. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drones ships an update every 10 days, TinyTone weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Drones versus TinyTone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDronesTinyTone
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWilliam ShouldisKEISUKE TONE

Customer experience

Drones

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

TinyTone

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Drones

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$3.99
None

TinyTone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Drones free?
Drones is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TinyTone free?
TinyTone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Drones or TinyTone?
Drones and TinyTone are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Drones or TinyTone have ads?
Neither Drones nor TinyTone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Drones or TinyTone?
Drones ships an update every 10 days, and TinyTone weekly. Most recently, Drones was updated on October 28, 2026 and TinyTone on October 10, 2026.

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