Comparison

The Hanon Method vs Instrument Routine

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

Head to head
About

The Hanon Method

This app provides a structured approach to practicing piano exercises. It measures your precision, timing, and tempo during sessions, offering detailed post-session reviews to identify areas for improvement. Access initial exercises for free, with premium options for more content.

Highlights
  • Measured practice sessions
  • Tempo and hand mode settings
  • Bluetooth MIDI keyboard support
  • Precision and timing review
  • Practice history tracking
  • Structured course progression
Features
Read full description

The Hanon Method is a focused practice tool for serious piano technique work on iPhone and iPad. Choose a Hanon exercise, set tempo and hand mode, connect a Bluetooth MIDI keyboard, and run a measured session. After each pass, review precision, timing stability, reliable tempo, and practice history. The app is built for disciplined repetition, not game-like practice. It helps you work through Hanon as a structured course, compare repeated sessions over time, and identify unevenness, missed notes, and difficult sections with clear post-session review. You can browse the course and review notation without MIDI. Measured practice, scoring, and session history require MIDI input. Exercises 1 through 10 are included in the free tier. Additional exercises are available with premium access. Accounts are optional. If enabled in the release build, account sign-in keeps progress recoverable across devices. Terms of Use: https://thehanonmethod.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://thehanonmethod.com/privacy

About

Instrument Routine

Features
Read full description

Instrument Routine offers a simple method: choose your exercises, practice them daily, and adapt them whenever you need to. Each session builds on the previous one. Use the Timer to stay focused, the Metronome to work on your rhythm, and Progress to track your consistency. Need to catch up on a recent session? Simply return to that day. If you work with a teacher, ask them to help you create a routine tailored to your goals. Prioritize consistency to progress! Your data stays on your device, with no account required.

Screenshots

The Hanon Method3 screens
Instrument Routine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The Hanon Method and Instrument Routine are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. The Hanon Method sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Instrument Routine sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Hanon Method ships an update every 4 days, Instrument Routine weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
The Hanon Method versus Instrument Routine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Hanon MethodInstrument Routine
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGray ReinhardLUCAS DANIEL MERCIER

In-app purchases

2 purchases

The Hanon Method

Subscriptions2
  • Hanon Premium Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Hanon Premium Annual$59.991 Year
4 purchases

Instrument Routine

One-time4
  • Coffee espresso$0.99
  • Coffee Double Espresso$1.99
  • Coffee Americano$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Coffee frappucino$3.99

Questions

Is The Hanon Method free?
The Hanon Method is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Instrument Routine free?
Instrument Routine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Hanon Method or Instrument Routine have ads?
Neither The Hanon Method nor Instrument Routine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Hanon Method or Instrument Routine?
The Hanon Method ships an update every 4 days, and Instrument Routine weekly. Most recently, The Hanon Method was updated on October 7, 2026 and Instrument Routine on October 8, 2026.

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