# iSymphonic Orchestra vs Real Strings

The clearest difference is price: Real Strings at Free against iSymphonic Orchestra's $9.99. Real Strings also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 12). iSymphonic Orchestra's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 2.7) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 41 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Real Strings is free to download; iSymphonic Orchestra costs $9.99 up front. iSymphonic Orchestra sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Real Strings asks for nothing beyond the download.

iSymphonic Orchestra holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iSymphonic Orchestra has 103 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of iSymphonic Orchestra's written reviews are positive against 50% of Real Strings's.

iSymphonic Orchestra ships an update every 2 months, Real Strings every 41 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iSymphonic Orchestra | Real Strings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[3.8 (103 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isymphonic-orchestra/id892220800/reviews)** | [2.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-strings/id892260061/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **103** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **62.5% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 41 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.3 GB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christian Schoenebeck d/b/a Crudebyte](https://appshunter.io/developer/428367741) | [Mooseok Bahng](https://appshunter.io/developer/843970427) |

## What reviewers say

### iSymphonic Orchestra

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isymphonic-orchestra/id892220800)

This app provides sophisticated, realistic orchestral sounds for musicians. Connect a MIDI keyboard to your device to access a wide range of instruments for live performance or composition. It supports advanced audio and MIDI connections with other apps.

**Highlights:** Realistic orchestral instrument sounds, MIDI keyboard connectivity, Audio Unit and Inter-App Audio support, Low latency audio engine, Integrated effects with presets, MIDI recording and playback

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arpa Sound Set | $8.99 | one-time |
| Vento Sound Set | $8.99 | one-time |
| Pro Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Canto Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Boato Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Voce Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Varia Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Aulos Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Perla Sound Set | $11.99 | one-time |
| Cupra Sound Set | $16.99 | one-time |
| Corda Sound Set | $16.99 | one-time |
| Keys Sound Set | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Exceptional sound quality and realistic orchestral samples
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🎹 Highly responsive to MIDI keyboard input and expression controls
- 🔌 Seamless integration with DAWs like GarageBand, Cubasis, and AUM
- 🎼 Wide variety of articulations and instrument combinations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for additional sound packs
- 🐛 Crashes when used as AU plugin with multiple instances
- ⚠️ Random loud distortion artifacts at unpredictable times
- 🎹 On-screen keyboard is too small and difficult to use
- 🔊 Inconsistent volume levels across different notes and instruments

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when using multiple AU instances in AUM
- GarageBand integration fails during export and audio merging
- Audio cuts out or plays only partially during export
- Track deletion causes complete app crash and data loss
- Reverberation artifacts on specific notes (C4, C5)

**Requested features**

- Ability to hide unowned sound packs for easier navigation
- Zoom function for keyboard section
- Adjustable attack and release envelope controls
- Filter to show only owned sounds
- Dedicated save/record/play controls on main screen


### Real Strings

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-strings/id892260061)

Experience playing string instruments like a violin, viola, or cello using motion controls. Graphical guides help you play along to a variety of classical and folk songs, making it easy and educational for anyone to feel like a musician.

**Highlights:** Play violin, viola, and cello, Motion-controlled instrument simulation, Graphical guides for song play, Adjustable tempo and speed, Extensive song library, Educational and enjoyable

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iSymphonic Orchestra free?

iSymphonic Orchestra costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Real Strings free?

Real Strings is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iSymphonic Orchestra or Real Strings?

iSymphonic Orchestra is rated higher. iSymphonic Orchestra averages 3.8 out of 5 from 103 ratings, while Real Strings averages 2.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do iSymphonic Orchestra or Real Strings have ads?

Neither iSymphonic Orchestra nor Real Strings shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iSymphonic Orchestra or Real Strings?

iSymphonic Orchestra ships an update every 2 months, and Real Strings every 41 months. Most recently, iSymphonic Orchestra was updated on October 18, 2026 and Real Strings on October 7, 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.*