Comparison

PenVox vs Guitar Studio

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

Head to head
About

PenVox

This app provides a comprehensive suite of tools for songwriters, from drafting lyrics with section headers and multiple versions to accessing rhyming dictionaries, thesauruses, and AI assistance for creative blocks. It also includes multi-track audio recording, a chromatic tuner, metronome, and collaboration features.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free lyrics editor with section headers
  • Multiple versions per song
  • Rhymes, thesaurus, dictionary, and emotion tools
  • AI helper for brainstorming and overcoming blocks
  • Multi-track audio recording up to 5 takes
  • Chromatic tuner and metronome with practice sets
  • Collaboration with co-writers
Features
Read full description

PenVox is a songwriting studio built for people who take writing seriously. Write the lyrics, build the chords, record your ideas and finish songs in one focused app. WRITE WITHOUT FRICTION - Distraction-free lyrics editor with section headers ([Verse], [Chorus], [Bridge]) - Rhyme colors: words that rhyme share a color, so your rhyme scheme jumps off the page - Syllable counts beside every line, with a check against your first verse or chorus - Multiple versions per song — star the one you want to open - Auto-save as you type - Voice dictation for capturing lines on the fly - Notes panel for ideas and reminders - Word, line, and syllable counts WRITING TOOLS BUILT IN - Rhymes — perfect and near rhymes, right from your lyrics - Thesaurus — synonyms and related words - Dictionary — definitions, parts of speech, examples - Emotions — 12 categories to find the right feeling - Phrases — common songwriting hooks and patterns - AI Coach — brainstorm, revise, and break through blocks - Freestyle — random word generator with timer mode CHORDS - Chord projects for the music behind your lyrics - Tap chords in any key, with numbers, feel colors, and guitar and piano shapes - Ready-made progressions, or hum a melody and get chords that fit - Real instrument sounds, drums and bass, in simple rhythms or 41 styles, or make your own - Lyrics beside each section's chords, with Rhymes - Record over the chords and mix with levels, pan, reverb, delay and Tune - Export a chord sheet (PDF), MIDI, or the chords as audio SYNC, PERFORM AND SHARE - Sync Lyrics: tap along as each line is sung - Performance View: your lyrics full screen, in time with your track - Lyric videos for Reels, TikTok and Shorts - Share your lines as an image ORGANIZE YOUR CATALOG - Albums (a song can be in more than one), favorites, and custom sort order - Search across every lyric and title, and search your Recent songs - Grid and list views - Deadline tracking with days-left indicators - Tags for genre, BPM, and key RECORD AND LAYER AUDIO - Multi-track recording — stack up to 10 takes per song - Import audio from your device - Play All transport with 15-second seek - Loop any part of a track while you write - Rename, delete, and export individual tracks TUNER AND METRONOME - Chromatic tuner with cents-accurate pitch detection - Full metronome with time signatures, subdivisions, and multiple sounds - Practice Sets — build routines with multiple BPMs and durations - Save and recall metronome presets COLLABORATE - Write together, live: see each co-writer's cursor and name as they type - Invite co-writers with Editor, Viewer, or Commenter roles - Co-writers hear the song's audio tracks - Invite co-writers to chord projects - Share links for quick access - Share Calendars EXPORT - Export songs as PDF, HTML, plain text, or for DistroKid - Export your entire catalog at once Constant updates and improvements! PenVox also works on the web at penvox.app, so your songs travel with you. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Guitar Studio

Features
Read full description

Guitar Studio is your complete pocket backing band and fretboard companion. Whether you are learning your first pentatonic box, crafting complex chord progressions, or practicing expressive soloing, Guitar Studio gives you realistic backing tracks and real-time visual guidance to level up your playing. Say goodbye to static, repetitive audio loops. Guitar Studio generates dynamic, musically rich backing tracks that adapt to your chord choices, rhythms, and arrangements in real time. KEY FEATURES DYNAMIC BACKING TRACK CREATOR - Build and customize chord progressions in any key and tempo - Choose from multiple rhythm styles: Strumming, Fingerpicking, Chord Pushes, Arpeggios, and more - Add arrangement transitions like Snare Rolls, Tom Fills, Reverb Sweeps, and 1-Beat Stops to create dynamic builds and drops - Instant count-in and seamless looping for uninterrupted practice sessions REAL-TIME FRETBOARD VISUALIZER - Synchronized fretboard display that updates live with every chord change - View exact chord voicings, arpeggios, and scale patterns across the neck - Toggle between chord tone highlighting and scale degree maps to instantly know what notes to play over each chord - Supports multiple display modes and high-visibility color palettes FULL MULTI-TRACK STUDIO MIXER - Independent volume controls, mute, and pan for Lead, Chords, Bass, and Drums - High-quality soundfont instrument options: Nylon & Steel Acoustic, Electric Guitars, Grand & Electric Pianos, Fingered/Slap/Acoustic Bass, and dynamic Drum Kits - Studio reverb, chorus, and master gain controls to dial in your ideal practice tone - Per-section Remix automation: change instruments, tempos, and rhythm patterns mid-song BUILT-IN GUITAR TOOLS & SHARING - Precision chromatic guitar tuner with high-accuracy pitch detection - Visual Drum Radar and beat meter to lock in your rhythm and timing - Effortless track sharing: export and import custom track mixes instantly via QR codes or links with other guitarists and bandmates DESIGNED FOR GUITARISTS OF ALL LEVELS - Beginners: Practice changing chords in time with a friendly, customizable rhythm section. - Intermediate Players: Understand the neck by watching scales and chord shapes move together in real time. - Advanced Musicians & Songwriters: Sketch out song ideas, test complex progressions, and improvise over customized backing tracks. Download Guitar Studio today and turn your daily guitar practice into a live studio session!

Screenshots

PenVox4 screens
Guitar Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

PenVox and Guitar Studio are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. PenVox sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Guitar Studio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
PenVox versus Guitar Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPenVoxGuitar Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPenVox LLCPAUL DEIGHTON

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PenVox

Subscriptions2
  • PenVox Pro7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • PenVox Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
1 purchases

Guitar Studio

One-time1
  • Guitar Solo - Backing Tracks$12.99

Questions

Is PenVox free?
PenVox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Guitar Studio free?
Guitar Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PenVox or Guitar Studio have ads?
Neither PenVox nor Guitar Studio shows ads.

Other comparisons