# Fugue Machine vs tardigrain

The clearest difference is price: tardigrain at $5.99 against Fugue Machine's $19.99. tardigrain also leads on chart position (#178 vs unranked). Fugue Machine's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Fugue Machine costs $19.99 and tardigrain $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Fugue Machine holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fugue Machine has 624 ratings behind it against 98, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Fugue Machine's written reviews are positive against 76% of tardigrain's.

Fugue Machine ships an update every 8 days, tardigrain every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fugue Machine | tardigrain |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$5.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (624 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fugue-machine-midi-sequencer/id1014191410/reviews)** | [4.6 (98 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tardigrain/id1344470087/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **624** | 98 |
| Positive reviews | **90.3% of reviews** | 75.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#178** |
| Size | 8 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexandernaut](https://appshunter.io/developer/508173422) | [Erik Sigth](https://appshunter.io/developer/385275335) |

## What reviewers say

### Fugue Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fugue-machine-midi-sequencer/id1014191410)

This music sequencer uses multiple playheads to create complex melodic patterns inspired by Baroque and serialist composition techniques. Manipulate speed, direction, and pitch to generate unique soundscapes.

**Highlights:** Multi-playhead piano roll, Manipulate speed, direction, and pitch, Create complex melodic patterns, Inspired by Baroque and serialist music, Supports MIDI, AUv3 MIDI, Ableton Link, Inter-App Audio and Audiobus compatibility

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### tardigrain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tardigrain/id1344470087)

**Currently charting:** #178 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Create unique sounds by breaking down samples into small fragments and playing them back non-linearly. Explore granular synthesis with adjustable grain size, direction, and step size. Enhance your audio with built-in effects, filters, and modulation options.

**Highlights:** Granular synthesis engine, Adjustable grain parameters, Built-in effects (reverb, wave shaper, crush), Resonant filter, MIDI and MPE modulation, Sequencer/arpeggiator, LFO modulation

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fugue Machine free?

Fugue Machine costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is tardigrain free?

tardigrain costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Fugue Machine or tardigrain?

Fugue Machine is rated higher. Fugue Machine averages 4.9 out of 5 from 624 ratings, while tardigrain averages 4.6 from 98 ratings.

### Do Fugue Machine or tardigrain have ads?

Neither Fugue Machine nor tardigrain shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Fugue Machine or tardigrain?

Fugue Machine ships an update every 8 days, and tardigrain every 2 months. Most recently, Fugue Machine was updated on October 26, 2026 and tardigrain on October 24, 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.*