Comparison

Tuning Note vs PocketTone

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

Head to head
About

Tuning Note

This app provides a sustained reference tone for a wide range of chromatic pitches, ideal for tuning string instruments by ear. Easily navigate between notes and adjust the reference frequency for precise tuning.

Highlights
  • Sustained reference tones
  • Chromatic pitch selection
  • Real-time tone updates
  • Configurable A4 frequency
  • Navigation by half steps or intervals
  • Light, dark, and system modes
Features
Read full description

Tuning Note plays a sustained reference tone for any chromatic pitch from G3 to A5—the full range of the violin, with headroom above and below. Select a pitch, tap Play, and tune by ear. The tone updates in real time as you navigate, so you can move between notes without stopping and restarting. Features: • Swipe, tap, or use navigation arrows to move between pitches • Configurable A4 reference frequency (415, 440, 442, 444 Hz, or custom) • Tap navigation by half steps or a fixed interval—default is a fifth • Light, dark, and system appearance modes

About

PocketTone

This app recreates the experience of a hand-drawn, retro pocket synthesizer. It features a vintage LCD display, slide switches, and chunky buttons, allowing users to play various retro voices, program custom sounds, and jam along to built-in rhythms. Users can also record and share their musical creations.

Highlights
  • Five retro voices (Piano, Flute, Violin, Fantasy, Guitar)
  • Program custom synth voices
  • Ten built-in rhythms
  • Sound shaping controls (octave, volume, balance)
  • Tape-style Delay and lo-fi Crush effects
  • Record and share audio
  • Melody memory (Auto-Play, One-Key play)
Features
Read full description

PocketTone is a hand-drawn, retro pocket synthesizer you can play anywhere. Tap the keys and a tiny lo-fi synth comes to life — complete with a green LCD, slide switches and chunky buttons, all lovingly hand-drawn. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Play five retro voices — Piano, Flute, Violin, Fantasy and Guitar. • Program your own voice the way the original did it — an eight-digit code typed on the calculator keys: waveform, envelope, vibrato, tremolo. • Jam over ten built-in rhythms — March, Rock, Bossa, Samba and more. • Shape the sound with octave, volume and a melody/rhythm balance. • Add tape-style Delay and lo-fi Crush effects. • Record what you play and share the audio with anyone. • Use the melody memory — Auto-Play, One-Key play and a built-in demo tune. • Flip to calculator mode… then play the keypad as a melody. The classic pocket-toy party trick, faithfully recreated. POCKETTONE PRO A single one-time purchase unlocks everything: all voices, all rhythms, recording & sharing, the melody memory, and the effects. No subscription — yours forever. Made as a love letter to the pocket musical toys of the 80s.

Screenshots

Tuning Note4 screens
PocketTone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tuning Note at 5.0 against PocketTone's 2.0. Tuning Note also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). PocketTone's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. PocketTone sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Tuning Note asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tuning Note holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tuning Note ships an update every 8 days, PocketTone every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tuning Note versus PocketTone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTuning NotePocketTone
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNATHANIEL GRANITTO SMITHChih Han Lin

In-app purchases

None

Tuning Note

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PocketTone

One-time1
  • PocketTone Pro$3.99

Questions

Is Tuning Note free?
Tuning Note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PocketTone free?
PocketTone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tuning Note or PocketTone?
Tuning Note is rated higher. Tuning Note averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while PocketTone averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Tuning Note or PocketTone have ads?
Neither Tuning Note nor PocketTone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tuning Note or PocketTone?
Tuning Note ships an update every 8 days, and PocketTone every 2 months. Most recently, Tuning Note was updated on October 19, 2026 and PocketTone on October 19, 2026.

Other comparisons