Comparison

iRetroMuse vs Retro Spectrum

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

Head to head
About

iRetroMuse

Features
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iRetroMuseは、80〜90年代のオーディオ機器をモチーフにした、レトロデザインのミュージックプレイヤーアプリです。 レコード、カセット、CD、ポータブルプレイヤーなど、懐かしい再生スタイルを切り替えながら、お気に入りの音楽を楽しめます。 温かみのあるアナログ風UIに加え、本格イコライザーやVUメーター演出を搭載。見た目だけでなく、音楽を“触って楽しむ”感覚まで再現しました。 【主な機能】 ・4種類のプレイヤーモード  RECORD / CASSETTE / CD / PORTABLE ・レトロ感あふれるアナログVUメーター ・プリセット対応7バンドイコライザー  Flat / Pop / Rock / Jazz / Classical / Bass Boost ・ボーカル調整やディープベース機能 ・シンプルで使いやすい音楽ライブラリ操作 ・ダークで高級感のあるオーディオUIデザイン 懐かしいオーディオ機器が好きな人も、レトロデザインが好きな人も、毎日の音楽時間をもっと特別に。 イヤホンをつけた瞬間、あの頃の気分がよみがえります。

About

Retro Spectrum

Transform your phone into a retro audio visualizer for your car or desk. It analyzes sound from your speakers in real-time, displaying dynamic visuals inspired by classic 80s-90s car stereos. Enjoy multiple retro skins and track identification for a unique audio-visual experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
  • Retro 80s-90s car stereo style
  • Listens via microphone to any speaker source
  • Multiple retro skin options
  • Now Playing song identification
  • Desk mode with clock and date
Features
Read full description

Retro Spectrum turns your phone into a retro audio display for your car or your desk. Mount your phone, play music through your speakers, and watch a real-time spectrum analyzer light up in the style of classic 80s–90s car stereos. Built for JDM and neo-classic car fans, and just as good as an always-on visualizer on your desk. HOW IT WORKS Retro Spectrum listens through your device's microphone and analyzes the sound in real time. Because it uses the mic, it reacts to ANY source playing through your speakers—streaming, radio, CD, anything. No cables, no pairing. Important: it responds to sound from SPEAKERS, not headphones or earphones. Point your phone toward the speakers and turn the volume up. RETRO SKINS Switch between display styles inspired by legendary in-dash stereos: • VFD Green — a fluorescent-tube display (included free) • Plasma Orange — spinning-CD deck with artwork and a big clock • JDM Night — KENWOOD-style dual-zone EQ with 7-segment clock • Bubble Grid — synthwave neon grid with a perspective floor • Wireframe LCD — Y2K retro-future tunnel HUD • Gaming RGB — flowing RGB bars with mirror reflections NOW PLAYING See the song that's playing right now. When you use Apple Music, the title, artist, and artwork are read directly from the system for instant accuracy. For any other source, Retro Spectrum identifies the track from the mic using Shazam technology. Double-tap to look up a song on demand. DESK MODE A built-in clock, date, and battery readout make Retro Spectrum a great always-on display for your desk setup—a glowing retro visualizer and clock in one. PRIVACY Microphone audio is analyzed on your device and is never recorded or saved. Song recognition can be turned off anytime. See our privacy policy for details. FREE + SKIN PACK The app and the VFD Green skin are free. Unlock all the other skins with a single one-time Skin Pack purchase.

Screenshots

iRetroMuse1 screens
Retro Spectrum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iRetroMuse at none against Retro Spectrum's 1. Retro Spectrum's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.5). On price, update cadence 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. Retro Spectrum sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iRetroMuse asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iRetroMuse ships an update monthly, Retro Spectrum every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
iRetroMuse versus Retro Spectrum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriRetroMuseRetro Spectrum
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.516.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKouki YoshimotoTAKUMA FUJITSUKA

In-app purchases

None

iRetroMuse

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retro Spectrum

One-time1
  • Skin Pack$1.99

Questions

Is iRetroMuse free?
iRetroMuse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retro Spectrum free?
Retro Spectrum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do iRetroMuse or Retro Spectrum have ads?
iRetroMuse shows ads; Retro Spectrum does not.
Which is updated more often, iRetroMuse or Retro Spectrum?
iRetroMuse ships an update monthly, and Retro Spectrum every 3 weeks. Most recently, iRetroMuse was updated on October 14, 2026 and Retro Spectrum on October 6, 2026.

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