Tuning Note vs PocketTone
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Sustained reference tones
- Chromatic pitch selection
- Real-time tone updates
- Configurable A4 frequency
- Navigation by half steps or intervals
- Light, dark, and system modes
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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
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.
- 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)
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. PocketTone sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Tuning Note asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
Tuning Note ships an update every 8 days, PocketTone every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.
| Parameter | Tuning Note | PocketTone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NATHANIEL GRANITTO SMITH | Chih Han Lin |
In-app purchases
Tuning Note
No in-app purchases
PocketTone
- PocketTone Pro$3.99
Questions
Is Tuning Note free?
Is PocketTone free?
Which has better reviews, Tuning Note or PocketTone?
Do Tuning Note or PocketTone have ads?
Which is updated more often, Tuning Note or PocketTone?
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