Comparison

Harmonic Tuner vs Bourdon

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

Head to head
About

Harmonic Tuner

This app offers precision tuning for string instruments with a live readout and detailed harmonic analysis. It helps musicians check intonation, refine notes for recording, and study overtones and sustain with a focused workflow.

Highlights
  • Chromatic tuning with cents and frequency
  • Instrument presets
  • Live tuning display
  • Harmonic Analysis view
  • Harmonic strength bars
  • Waveform snapshots
  • Save and compare harmonic captures
Features
Read full description

Harmonic Tuner is a precision tuner for string players who want more than just a needle. Tune with a fast live readout, then dig into harmonic snapshots to see how your tone changes after the pluck. Whether you are checking intonation, cleaning up a note before recording, or studying overtones and sustain, Harmonic Tuner gives you a focused workflow without unnecessary clutter. Features: • Chromatic tuning with clear cents and frequency readouts • Instrument presets for guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, and slack-key guitar • Smooth live tuning display designed for quick visual adjustment • Harmonic Analysis view with timed snapshots after the initial note lock • Harmonic bars that show the strength of the base pitch and upper overtones • Waveform snapshots for comparing the shape of the sound over time • Save, name, reload, and compare harmonic captures • Adjustable reference pitch (A4) • Advanced controls for noise gate, filtering, smoothing, and tracking stability • Input device selection for supported audio hardware Use the main tuner when you want fast, focused tuning. Use Harmonic Analysis when you want to understand what your note is doing after the attack. Harmonic Tuner is built for players who care about pitch, response, and tone.

About

Bourdon

Features
Read full description

Bourdon is a precise, beautifully simple string tuner for a wide range of instruments. It tracks pitch with a professional algorithm (McLeod/MPM) plus phase refinement that reaches sub-cent accuracy on sustained notes, responding instantly even in noisy rooms — all in a clean, minimalist dark design. FIVE MODES IN ONE - Needle: an analog VU meter with a damped needle, for the classic tuning feel. - Trace: string-by-string tuner with a smooth visual trail and a real headstock that turns green as you go. - Strobe: the most precise mode. The stripes freeze when you nail the note, down to fractions of a cent. - Voice: a free chromatic vocal tuner — or set a target note and practice until you nail it. - Drone: a sustained reference tone (warm organ timbre) using your tuning's notes, perfect for singing or tuning by ear. 15 INSTRUMENTS, MANY TUNINGS - Guitar, classical, 7- and 12-string, baritone, 4- and 5-string bass, double bass, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, mandolin, banjo and bouzouki. - Tunings such as Standard E, Drop D, Drop C, half- and whole-step down, DADGAD, Open G/D/E and more. - Each instrument with its own headstock, so you always know which string you're tuning. TWEAKS FOR MUSICIANS - Temperaments: Equal, Pythagorean, Just Major, Kirnberger III and Quarter-comma Meantone. - Adjustable A4 reference (432–446 Hz). - Normal and Ultra precision. - In-tune confirmation with sound and haptics. PRIVATE AND OFFLINE - All processing happens on your device. Nothing is collected or uploaded. Tune your way. String by string.

Screenshots

Harmonic Tuner4 screens
Bourdon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Bourdon at 16.4 against Harmonic Tuner's 26.2. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Harmonic Tuner versus Bourdon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHarmonic TunerBourdon
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.216.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRetroSantiago Sobrino Arias

In-app purchases

None

Harmonic Tuner

No in-app purchases

None

Bourdon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Harmonic Tuner free?
Harmonic Tuner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bourdon free?
Bourdon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Harmonic Tuner or Bourdon have ads?
Neither Harmonic Tuner nor Bourdon shows ads.

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