Comparison

S vs Plectro

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

Head to head
About

S

This app is a polyphonic synthesizer that works with specific hardware. It offers a variety of sound engines, filters, and effects for creating unique audio textures. Advanced modulation options and a flexible routing system allow for deep sound design.

Highlights
  • Dual engine slots per voice
  • Multiple sound flavors (analog, wavetable, FM, speech)
  • Classic and Modern filter modes
  • Advanced FX rack
  • Two free-routing LFOs
  • Unified mod matrix
  • Standalone, AU, and AUv3 formats
Features
Read full description

s-2 is a polyphonic synthesizer designed to work with the Roland AIRA Compact S-1. ENGINE Each voice runs two parallel engine slots that mix together. Pick a sound flavor per slot, including: • Classic analog — saw, square, sub, noise, pulse-width • Wavetable • FM • Speech • Chord • Plucked string FILTER AND FX Classic mode runs a vintage-style ladder filter into a simple Delay → Chorus → Reverb chain. Modern mode swaps in a multi-mode SVF (LP / BP / HP) followed by a 3-slot Advanced FX rack with Bitcrusher, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Auto-Filter, Tape Delay, Plate Reverb and Chorus. MODULATION Two free-routing LFOs (sine / triangle / saw / square / random / noise, with optional clock-sync), a dedicated filter envelope with two destination slots, and a unified mod matrix dialog that visualizes every routing in one place. Click any knob in Learn mode to assign — no digging through menus. FORMATS • Standalone for iOS • Audio Unit (AU) for Logic Pro and other AU hosts • AUv3 plugin for iPad / iPhone in AUM, GarageBand, Cubasis and more - s-2 is an independent third-party application. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Roland Corporation. "Roland", "AIRA", "AIRA Compact", and "S-1" are trademarks of Roland Corporation, used here only to describe MIDI compatibility between this app and that hardware.

About

Plectro

Features
Read full description

Make every guitar practice session count. Plectro listens while you play and turns your practice into useful feedback. See notes and chords in real time, tune with clear guidance, check the cleanliness of single notes, and build a lasting practice habit with session history, streaks, and weekly stats. PLAY WITH LIVE FEEDBACK - Identify notes and chords as you play - See whether a note is in tune, sharp, or flat - View exact cent deviation at supported skill levels - Get a live 0-100 tone score for single-note playing - Follow your elapsed practice time without leaving the session TRACK YOUR PRACTICE - Save completed practice sessions automatically after you end them - Review session duration, detected notes, and average tone score - Follow your current practice streak - See total practice time, weekly minutes, and session count - Visualize your last seven days of practice MADE FOR YOUR LEVEL Choose Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. Plectro adjusts the amount of detail shown and the chord vocabulary it recognizes, keeping the experience focused instead of overwhelming. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Audio analysis happens entirely on your iPhone. Your audio is never recorded, stored, or uploaded. Practice metrics stay locally on your device, and no account is required. Plectro is built for guitarists who already know what they want to practice and want a clearer view of their consistency, tuning, and tone. Tap Practice, start playing, and make your progress visible.

Screenshots

S3 screens
Plectro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Plectro at every 2 weeks against S's every 6 weeks. 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

S ships an update every 6 weeks, Plectro every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 9, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
S versus Plectro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPlectro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMathias KirkerødEnes Oz

In-app purchases

None

S

No in-app purchases

None

Plectro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is S free?
S is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plectro free?
Plectro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do S or Plectro have ads?
Neither S nor Plectro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, S or Plectro?
S ships an update every 6 weeks, and Plectro every 2 weeks. Most recently, S was updated on August 9, 2026 and Plectro on September 19, 2026.

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