# TAPE 16 vs Tape Deck

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tape Deck at none against TAPE 16's 1. Tape Deck also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). TAPE 16's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TAPE 16 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Tape Deck asks for nothing beyond the download.

Tape Deck holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TAPE 16 has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

TAPE 16 ships an update every 2 weeks, Tape Deck every 2 days. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TAPE 16 | Tape Deck |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tape-16/id6785917398/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tape-deck/id6822531305/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **6** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 53 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jack Paterson](https://appshunter.io/developer/6776675393) | [Andrew Bateman](https://appshunter.io/developer/6822531307) |

## What reviewers say

### TAPE 16

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tape-16/id6785917398)

Record and mix music with a 16-track tape-style workflow. This cross-platform app lets you build songs take by take, with hands-on controls and Audio Unit plugin support. Save and reopen sessions offline, with optional iCloud sync.

**Highlights:** 16-track recording workflow, Destructive tape recording, Audio Unit plugin support, MIDI input, Hands-on transport and mixer controls, Offline session saving, Optional iCloud sync

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Tapes + Bounce | $29.99 | one-time |


### Tape Deck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tape-deck/id6822531305)

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TAPE 16 free?

TAPE 16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Tape Deck free?

Tape Deck is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TAPE 16 or Tape Deck?

Tape Deck is rated higher. TAPE 16 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Tape Deck averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do TAPE 16 or Tape Deck have ads?

Neither TAPE 16 nor Tape Deck shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TAPE 16 or Tape Deck?

TAPE 16 ships an update every 2 weeks, and Tape Deck every 2 days. Most recently, TAPE 16 was updated on November 10, 2026 and Tape Deck on November 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*