ToneStack vs RingsFX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ToneStack
This app offers a vast collection of virtual guitar amplifiers, cabinets, and effects, meticulously modeled after real analog circuits. It provides an incredibly flexible signal chain, allowing users to combine up to 64 units simultaneously for extensive sound design possibilities. Features include an 8-track recorder, tuner, and metronome.
- Virtual Circuit modeling technology
- Extensive amp, cab, and FX library
- Up to 64 simultaneous effects
- Flexible signal chain routing
- 8-track recorder
- MIDI learn and preset management
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ToneStack is the ultimate UNIVERSAL app for signal processing: with the LARGEST and BEST selection of AMPS & FX, the latest advancements in modeling technology, and an unbelievably powerful yet simple interface – it simply shreds all the other guys. Thanks to ToneStack's state-of-the-art “Virtual Circuit” technology, each ToneStack unit is the digital mirror image of a real analog topology. Unlike other FX apps that try to copycat with EQing and other gimmicks, ToneStack recreates the intricate designs of the real thing. The result is a warm, responsive tone with the natural behavior you find in analog units. Best Selection of Pro Amps & FX ToneStack offers a huge range of amps, cabs & FX: from sparkly clean to sizzling hot bias tube amps, iconic stompboxes, pro-grade rack units, and high-end reverbs, ToneStack is the most complete plugin suite on the iOS. Right away, enjoy 6 classic amps & cabs, and 21 meticulously designed FX. Expand to a total of 46 amps, 44 cabs, and 101 FX – the largest collection on iOS. ToneStack also brings many powerful guitar FX to the iOS for the first time: polyphonic octaver, harmonizer, realistic spring reverbs, virtual-reel tape delays are just a few examples. The Most Versatile Signal Chain on iOS Why be limited with just 4 or 8 FX that other guys max you out at? ToneStack lets you run a whopping 64 amps & effects simultaneously* so you can let your imagination run wild. For even more power, ToneStack includes our unique original ABY unit. Split your signal anywhere: run dual amp setups, switch or blend FX chains, or multiplex your signal via frequency splitting – countless permutations, all up to you. You can match any amp with any cab (all cabs have 3 mics with distance & position settings); you can insert any unit anywhere – even between amps and cabs like a true FX loop. Managing your signal chain is as easy as dragging and dropping an icon! inSTUDIO & Other Goodies Wanna quickly jam out an idea, or cut a song and share it? ToneStack offers a powerful 8-Track recorder – first two tracks free — with plenty of user-friendly features. Fire up the built-in Tapedeck to quickly record an idea or create loops, or manipulate audio with its Hi-Q pitch & time shift. Import & export audio via email, WiFi, iTunes or copy/paste. Built-in tuner, metronome and a custom onSTAGE mode are just a few other amazing ToneStack features. All the Pro Features of iOS Enjoy the full power of the platform’s top MIDI and Preset systems. MIDI learn is super-intuitive thanks to ToneStack's WYSIWYG interface: all the amp & FX controls are MIDI-programmable. Effortlessly create UNLIMITED banks and presets – share them at the touch of a button. ToneStack is an Inter-App Audio effect, and works in any Audiobus slot. ToneStack also allows you to insert other Inter-App Audio apps anywhere in your signal chain. Highlights • “Virtual Circuit” amp & FX modeling technology • Units modeled after real-life circuits • ABY: split signal anywhere, use dual amp setups, blend, pan or switch FX chains & more • Complete collection: 46 amps, 44 cabs, 101 FX, with stompboxes & rack-units and more! • 64 simultaneous amps & FX* • Independent amps & cabs • 3 mics per cab w/ distance & position setting • 8-Track recorder w/ 2 tracks free • Tapedeck w/ punch looping, sample-accurate rec, pitch/time manipulation, FX send • Tuner w/ permanent & fullscreen modes • Metronome, tap tempo, settable time signature • onSTAGE mode w/ quick preset load & FX toggle • Extremely powerful MIDI: control any amp or FX parameter • Easy MIDI Learn • MIDI prog changes + bank & preset up/down • Inter-App Audio Hosting; Insert IAA apps anywhere in your signal chain • Audiobus support • Works w/ iOS compatible USB or headphone interfaces (USB recommended for best audio quality) * Device CPU limitations apply
RingsFX
This music app emulates a renowned physical modeling synthesizer, offering diverse synthesis techniques and polyphonic capabilities. It allows for real-time parameter manipulation and can process external audio, creating unique sonic textures and rhythms.
- Physical modeling synthesis emulation
- Multiple polyphony modes (Mono, Duo, Quad, True Polyphonic)
- Supports MIDI MPE and velocity sensitivity
- External audio excitation
- Mod Matrix for real-time parameter control
- 7 unique synthesis modes
- 6 mod-able and 6 global effects
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RingsFX is an AUv3 plugin based on the famous Mutable Instruments Rings, one of the most dedicated and fully-featured Physical Modeling Eurorack modules ever created. At its core is a resonator that needs to be 'excited' or 'strummed' by MIDI input, noise, or external audio excitation. RingsFX emulates vibrations of structures simulated by 3 different synthesis techniques that can be plucked or process external signals: Modal Synthesis, Sympathetic Strings, and Inharmonic Strings. Traditionally, Rings was only monophonic but used a unique approach to polyphony that allowed the previous note to 'ring' out and decay while a new note was played. Rings FX provides these same modes (Mono, Duo, and Quad), but expands it with a true Polyphonic mode. RingsFX also expands the capabilities of the original engine by adding support for velocity sensitivity and MIDI MPE mode. The new polyphonic mode allows RingsFX to play up to 12 notes of true polyphony, depending on the settings. Doing so requires RingsFX to use multiple Rings resonators, but the more true polyphony you use, the more processing power it requires. Running in the traditional Monophonic, Duophonic, or Quadrophonic modes may be preferred in order to keep CPU usage under control. RingsFX has 7 modes in total, by combining the 3 basic modes with additional properties such as chords or specially tuned reverbs. The original hardware also had a secret 'Easter Egg' mode, which in RingsFX is simply calling 'Synthesizer' mode, rumoured to be based on one of the early Korg synthesis methods. This mode supported a number of mutable effects which now work on in all resonator modes. RingsFX also has a Mod-Matrix which allows you to combine the built-in LFOs and FEGs to great effect by manipulating parameters and mutable effects in realtime. Finally, RingsFX can be loaded as an AUv3 effect plugin. Set the Exciter Source to 'INPUT', and you can pass any audio through RingsFX and use this audio as an external exciter. For example, it can be used to great affect on a drum beat to create some crazy rhythms. Use the Output Mix to combine the original audio with the synthesised resonator output to create some stunning effects. Features ○ 7 unique synthesis modes. ○ Supports Mono, Duo, Quad and true polyphony. ○ Supports 2 fluid LFO's per note. ○ Up to 4 FEG's per note. ○ External Exciter modes. ○ White noise Pulse Sequencer. ○ Supports 6 mod-able effects and 6 global effects. ○ Mod Matrix ○ Input and white noise filters. ○ Program Manager with drag and drop. ○ Preset Search and Favourites. ○ Easy export and import of banks and presets. ○ Extensive help manual. ○ Web Transfer for backing up to PC/Mac. ○ MPE Support.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: RingsFX at 4.9 against ToneStack's 4.4. RingsFX also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 12) and review sentiment (100% vs 77%). ToneStack's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $14.99) and ratings volume (106 vs 27). On ads 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
ToneStack costs $9.99 and RingsFX $14.99 up front. ToneStack sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. RingsFX asks for nothing beyond the download.
RingsFX holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 106 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of ToneStack's written reviews are positive against 100% of RingsFX's.
ToneStack ships an update every 2 months, RingsFX fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.
| Parameter | ToneStack | RingsFX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (106 ratings) | 4.9 (27 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 77.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 106 — better | 27 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 203 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yonac Inc. | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
ToneStack
RingsFX
Bugs and requests
ToneStack
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes and freezes
- Input/output issues with certain interfaces
- Preset and purchase restoration problems
- Latency and timing issues in some cases
Requested features
6 requests- AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- More amp and effect models
- Improved preset management and sharing
- MIDI mapping and expression pedal support
- Background audio playback
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- Keyboard shortcuts and advanced controls
RingsFX
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ToneStack
- inSTUDIO 8 Track$4.99
- PolyOCT$5.99
- Metal Bundle$9.99
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- Clean Bundle$9.99
- Blues Bundle$9.99
- Custom Shop STUDIO Bundle$9.99
- Bass 2$9.99
- Expansion v.2.0$19.99
- Expansion v.3.0$19.99
- Motherload v.1.0$49.99
- Motherload v.2.0$84.99
- Motherload v.3.0$84.99
RingsFX
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ToneStack free?
Is RingsFX free?
Which has better reviews, ToneStack or RingsFX?
Do ToneStack or RingsFX have ads?
Which is updated more often, ToneStack or RingsFX?
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