moForte Guitar vs variStretch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
moForte Guitar
This virtual guitar app uses physical modeling to replicate the expressive sound and performance techniques of a real electric guitar. It offers a vast chord library, customizable effects, and recording capabilities for musicians.
- Physical modeling sound engine
- Strumming and PowerChord modes
- Modeled feedback and distortion
- 9,500+ chords
- Customizable effects chain
- Recording and sharing performances
- Chart creation tool
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The Classic moForte Guitar, introduced in 2012, is the first virtual guitar based on modeling the physics and performance techniques of the guitar. Because the moForte Guitar is modeled rather than based on playing back samples, the performance experience is uniquely expressive and interactive. Based on based on the Physical Modeling research of Dr. Julius O. Smith III of Stanford/CCRMA. Features include: - Strumming and PowerChord modes. - Modeled feedback and distortion like a real metal guitar. - A selection of models for popular types of electric guitars. - Recording and sharing of performances. - 9,500+ chords. - Powerful authoring tool for chart creation - supports custom chords and effect presets. - Modeled guitar articulations including: harmonics, pinch harmonics, slides, palm muting, string scraping, damping and auto-strum. - Fully programmable effects chain including: distortion, compression, wah, auto wah, 4-band parametric EQ, phaser, flanger, reverb and amplifier. iOS/iPadOS 13.7 or better
variStretch
This app allows real-time audio speed manipulation without altering pitch. It offers three distinct playback modes and adjustable buffer settings for precise control over sound processing.
- Real-time speed adjustment (0.5-2.0x)
- Tape mode (speed & pitch change)
- Phase Vocoder mode (speed only)
- Adjustable buffer size
- Buffer clear function
- AUv3 host compatibility
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Concept: The app is a so-called time-stretch machine. The user can change the speed (0.5-2.0) of audio source in real-time using keyboard or slider at will. Usage: There are three play modes: 1) Tape (to change the both speed & pitch) 2) Phase Vocoder (to change the speed alone) 3) Thru (no processing) "Buffer Size" slider determines how long the data will be stored. "Buffer Clear" button will reset the buffer to be zero. System Requirements: AUv3 host
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: variStretch at none against moForte Guitar's 10. moForte Guitar's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and price ($3.99 vs $5.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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
moForte Guitar costs $3.99 and variStretch $5.99 up front. moForte Guitar sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. variStretch asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for moForte Guitar against 5.0 for variStretch. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
moForte Guitar ships an update every 2 months, variStretch every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | moForte Guitar | variStretch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 57 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | moForte.com | Satoshi Kajii |
Customer experience
moForte Guitar
variStretch
In-app purchases
moForte Guitar
- Rising Sun Blues2 variantsFree
- Mountain Aire2 variantsFree
- Thor's Hammer2 variantsFree
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- Loki's LamentFree
- Odious OdinFree
- Star Spangled Banner Pack$1.99
- Bourrée in E minor$1.99
variStretch
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is moForte Guitar free?
Is variStretch free?
Which has better reviews, moForte Guitar or variStretch?
Do moForte Guitar or variStretch have ads?
Which is updated more often, moForte Guitar or variStretch?
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