Comparison

Instrument Tuner vs Tuner Now

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

Head to head
About

Instrument Tuner

Features
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SimpliTuner is a fast, accurate chromatic tuner for any instrument: guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, violin, and more. Play a note and SimpliTuner listens through the microphone and shows you the nearest pitch in real time, with a clean dial that tells you at a glance whether to tune up or down. FEATURES • Chromatic pitch detection works with any instrument, not just guitar • Precision and Practice dial modes: switch between a fine, precise reading and a wider, easier-to-read gauge for quick tuning • Adjustable A4 reference pitch (400–480 Hz) for orchestras, alternate tunings, or personal preference — saved automatically • Light and dark mode • Full VoiceOver accessibility support • No setup, no accounts, no sign-in — open the app and start tuning PRIVACY FIRST All pitch detection happens entirely on your device. Microphone audio is never recorded, stored, or sent anywhere. SimpliTuner has no analytics and no third-party SDKs. Nothing about you or your playing ever leaves your phone. Whether you're warming up before a gig or tuning your first guitar, SimpliTuner keeps it simple: open the app, play a note, get in tune.

About

Tuner Now

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Tuner Now is a no-nonsense chromatic tuner built for one thing: guitar and bass. Open the app, and there's nothing to figure out. Play a note. Tune it. That's it. ■ Built for you if... ・You're tired of picking an instrument mode or switching presets ・You just want to tune fast and accurately ・You want a clear, easy-to-read meter ■ Key Features ・High-precision pitch detection ・Handles low strings well, including 5-string bass Low B ・Easy-to-read LED-bar style meter ・Adjustable reference pitch from A=430 to 450Hz ・Color-coded tuning status at a glance (green = in tune, yellow/red = off) ■ Simplicity by design No instrument selection, no presets, no metronome, no recording — nothing that isn't directly about tuning. Open it. Play it. Tune it. That's the whole app. An optional ad-removal purchase is also available.

Screenshots

Instrument Tuner3 screens
Tuner Now3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Instrument Tuner at none against Tuner Now's 1. Instrument Tuner also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Tuner Now sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Instrument Tuner asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 3 level
Instrument Tuner versus Tuner Now: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstrument TunerTuner Now
PriceFreeFree
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.415.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperColin HermackShunsuke Takasu

In-app purchases

None

Instrument Tuner

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Tuner Now

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is Instrument Tuner free?
Instrument Tuner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tuner Now free?
Tuner Now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Instrument Tuner or Tuner Now have ads?
Tuner Now shows ads; Instrument Tuner does not.

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