TinyRiff vs FileAudioPlayer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
TinyRiff
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TinyRiff is a performance pad app for triggering chords, backing patterns, and layered sampler performances from a single padβideal for practice, songwriting, and live performance. (The app has been renamed from TinyTone to TinyRiff as of version 1.5) Use TinyRIff as a MIDI pad for GarageBand, synthesizers, electric pianos, samplers, and other MIDI gear. With the built-in βTinyToneβ sound engine, you can also play instantly without any external devices or MIDI connections. TinyTone can also be used as a chord input pad within Mac DAW environments. Chords can be entered not only from external MIDI input, but also directly on the app screen. Up to four key transpose settings (key shift / octave shift) can be stored within a single pad set, allowing you to switch chord arrangements for intros, verses, choruses, outros, and other musical sections from the same pad layout. TinyRIff can also load sound data created with the separate βTinyToneβ app, allowing you to use original sounds directly inside TinyRIff. With TinyRIff Yearly (annual subscription), you can save, share, and import up to 100 pad layout sets. The free version supports saving up to 5 sets. [Added in version 1.5] New βRiff-Patternβ and βStep Sequencerβ modes have been added. β’ Riff Pattern: Freely assign notes across 16 steps, including upper, middle, and lower notes within a chord. TIE input is also supported. β’ Step Sequencer: Create 16-step patterns with support for ties and rests. β’ Each mode includes 4 slots that can be switched during performance. β’ Supports real-time performance together with slider control and transpose. β’ Created patterns can be imported and exported together with pad presets, and shared via AirDrop. Improved MIDI connectivity with GarageBand and AUM. β’ To use GarageBand or AUM, select "VIRTUAL MIDI" as the MIDI output. β’ "VIRTUAL MIDI" sends MIDI data to all connected host apps. When using GarageBand and AUM simultaneously, disable TinyRiff MIDI input on the host you do not want to control.
FileAudioPlayer
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β Play the audio files you keep β comfortably, to the end. FileAudioPlayer is for playing the audio files you already have β especially the long ones β picking up where you left off, changing the speed, and remembering the spots you marked, all the way to the end. It's made for everyday use: getting through long audio over several sittings, or repeating the same section while you practice. In an age of streaming, there are fewer and fewer good places to sit with the audio files you actually own. β Good for - Recordings of old radio programs - Audio transferred from old cassette tapes - Instrument practice from a pocket recorder - Language-learning audio - Re-listening to web meeting recordings - Lectures and seminars on video (plays the audio) β Importing β mainly through the Files app The main way is through the iOS Files app: iCloud Drive, SMB shares, and other cloud services visible in Files all become import sources. Bring in a whole folder at once, and receive audio shared from other apps. You can also connect directly to Amazon S3 to download. It can also pull just the audio out of a video file β handy for listening to a recorded lecture as audio. β Remember where you were It records the position whenever you stop, pause, or start playback. If your earbuds get bumped in your pocket and playback runs ahead, you can jump back to a recorded spot. Marks sit on the bar, colored by the time of day they were made, and you can step to the previous or next one with a single button. It also resumes from where you last stopped. β For repeating and practicing Play from 1.0x to 2.0x, with one tap back to normal speed. Skip back and forward with four buttons whose durations you set yourself β so a small step back is easy during language study or practice. β Keeps playing with the screen off Background playback, lock-screen and Control Center controls, and AirPlay. β Organize and undo Arrange things in nested folders, and move files or folders later. Deletes go to a trash first, so mistakes can be undone. Imported audio is also visible in the Files app. Available in Japanese and English (switchable in the app).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FileAudioPlayer at none against TinyRiff's 1. TinyRiff's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. TinyRiff sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. FileAudioPlayer asks for nothing beyond the download.
TinyRiff ships an update every 3 days, FileAudioPlayer every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | TinyRiff | FileAudioPlayer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days β better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No β better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No β better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | KEISUKE TONE | Tatsuo Watanabe |
In-app purchases
TinyRiff
- JPad Yearly1 Month trial$4.991 Year
FileAudioPlayer
No in-app purchases









