Comparison
Reel vs 4TRACK
A free tape-style 4-track recorder app for iPhone.
Visit the 4TRACK site ↗The short answer
Both are tape-style 4-track recorders for iPhone and honestly 4TRACK is a lovely little app. It is free, it overdubs, punches in, loops a section and edits regions. For catching an idea it stays out of the way. So why does Reel cost $14.99? Two reasons that matter if you record real gear. Reel captures 32-bit float at up to 96kHz and it records from any class-compliant USB instrument, groovebox or interface plugged straight into the phone, which 4TRACK does not do. There is also the feel, a spinning disc you scrub and scratch with your finger. If you mostly track the built-in mic and want free, 4TRACK is genuinely great. If you record hardware or want higher-resolution capture and the tactile workflow, that is where Reel earns its price.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Reel | 4TRACK |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous tracks | 4 (stereo, 8 ch) | 4 |
| Bit depth | 32-bit float | Not stated |
| Max sample rate | 96kHz | Not stated |
| Overdub | ||
| Punch-in recording | ||
| Looping | ||
| Variable-speed playback | ||
| Tactile transport (jog wheel or scrub) | ||
| Built-in microphones | iPhone mic | Device mic |
| XLR inputs with phantom power | ||
| Records from a USB audio interface | ||
| Works as a USB audio interface | ||
| Runs standalone, no phone or computer | ||
| Price | $14.99 one-time | Free |
| Platform | iOS 18+ | iOS |
Every value is researched per product against manufacturer sources and may change over time. Verify current details with each maker.
Where Reel wins
- +Clean 32-bit float recording at up to 96kHz
- +Records from any class-compliant USB instrument, groovebox or interface
- +Tactile spinning disc for scrubbing and scratching, with haptics
- +Varispeed for tape-style pitch and speed
Where 4TRACK wins
- +Free, with no accounts or ads
- +Overdub, punch-in and loop recording
- +Region editing, track EQ and built-in delay and reverb
- +Imports WAV, MP3 and M4A and bounces a stereo mix
Frequently asked questions
Is 4TRACK or Reel the better 4-track app for iPhone?
It comes down to fidelity and hardware. 4TRACK is free and genuinely good for quick sketches with the built-in mic, with overdub, punch-in, looping and region editing. Reel is $14.99 and adds clean 32-bit float capture at up to 96kHz, recording from class-compliant USB gear and a tactile jog-wheel workflow. Pick 4TRACK for free sketching, Reel for higher-resolution capture and recording hardware.
Can 4TRACK record from a USB audio interface?
No. 4TRACK records from the iPhone's built-in mic. If you want to record from a class-compliant USB audio interface or plug a groovebox or synth straight into your phone, Reel is built for that. It is the main practical difference between the two apps.
Try Reel on your iPhone
A portable 4-track recorder with 32-bit float audio and a hardware-inspired workflow.
Download on the App Store