Comparison

Fugue Machine vs Vatanator Pro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Fugue Machine

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
Currently charting
Read full description

A music sequencer reimagined with multiple playheads. "How Bach would have made a sequencer." (Create Digital Music) "A musical feat." (Creator's Project) "A new approach to sequencing." (XLR8R) "A next generation music sequencer." (Ask Audio) Fugue Machine Classic is a tool inspired by composition techniques used in Baroque music and Serialism — e.g. Bach’s canons and fugues, and Schoenberg’s twelve-tone technique. The idea was to design a tool to manipulate a melody’s speed, direction, and pitch, as well as play multiple variations of the melody simultaneously. As it turned out, the best implementation for this was to reimagine one of the most fundamental building blocks of all music sequencers: the piano roll. Fugue Machine Classic is the world’s first multi-playhead piano roll. Create a music sequence and play it back with up to four playheads at once — each at various speeds, directions, pitches, and more. Watch the playheads dance, and hear the complex patterns that emerge. It’s mesmerizing. Fugue Machine Classic supports iPhone, iPad, MIDI, AUv3 MIDI, Ableton Link, Audiobus, Audiobus 3 MIDI, and Inter-App Audio. Thanks to the AUv3 standard, you can run multiple instances of Fugue Machine Classic on a single device when hosted in an AUv3 MIDI host app — like AUM, Logic Pro for iPad, Loopy Pro, and Cubasis.

About

Vatanator Pro

Create music with this advanced multitrack sequencer. It features a built-in drum machine, sampler, and support for external instruments and effects. Compose instantly with full MIDI and MPE capabilities.

Highlights
  • Advanced multi-track music sequencer
  • Integrated drum machine and sampler
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) host
  • Full MIDI and MPE support
  • Real-time pattern editing
  • Song arranger and performance mode
Read full description

Vatanator Pro is an advanced multitrack music sequencer with integrated drum machine, sampler and functionality to load external AUv3 instruments and effects. Support full feature MIDI and MPE. Vatanator Pro is an all-in-one music composer for instant results. Features: • Audio Unit Extension Host • Advanced multi-track music sequencer • Edit and record patterns in real-time (with options for quantization, undo and more) • Integrated real-time drum sampler with individual effects and XY pad • On-screen piano keyboard for playing/recording AUv3 instruments • Isomorphic keyboard with option for selecting different scales • Full MIDI implementation (Bluetooth MIDI, Network MIDI and USB MIDI) • MIDI Learn implementation • Integrated drum repeater and instrument arpeggiator • MPE support • Parameter automation (AUv3 and internal parameters) • Song arranger • Performance Mode (use multi-touch to control patterns) • Drum kit editor (with ability for rearrange/remove/add samples) • Sample recorder and advanced sample slicer • Audiobus, Ableton Link, Ableton Live Set Export and Inter-App Audio support • Import Audio/MIDI files from Files app • Audio track support • Multi-channel mixer • Odd-time signature support • Option to autosave/load last project

Screenshots

Fugue Machine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Fugue Machine at 90% against Vatanator Pro's 44%. Fugue Machine also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.7) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Fugue Machine costs $19.99 and Vatanator Pro $24.99 up front. Vatanator Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Fugue Machine asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Fugue Machine holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fugue Machine has 624 ratings behind it against 10, 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 44% of Vatanator Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fugue Machine ships an update every 8 days, Vatanator Pro fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Fugue Machine versus Vatanator Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFugue MachineVatanator Pro
Price$19.99 — better$24.99
Rating4.9 (624 ratings) — better3.7 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews90.3% of reviews — better44.4% of reviews
Number of ratings624 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#161 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexandernautBACKPULLVER SOFTWARE LTD OOD

Customer experience

Fugue Machine

All ratings623 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews238 reviews
Positive90.3%
Neutral5.0%
Negative4.6%

Vatanator Pro

All ratings10 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral22.2%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Fugue Machine

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Vatanator Pro

One-time1
  • Groove ChargeFree

Questions

Is Fugue Machine free?
Fugue Machine costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Vatanator Pro free?
Vatanator Pro costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fugue Machine or Vatanator Pro?
Fugue Machine is rated higher. Fugue Machine averages 4.9 out of 5 from 624 ratings, while Vatanator Pro averages 3.7 from 10 ratings.
Do Fugue Machine or Vatanator Pro have ads?
Neither Fugue Machine nor Vatanator Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fugue Machine or Vatanator Pro?
Fugue Machine ships an update every 8 days, and Vatanator Pro fortnightly. Most recently, Fugue Machine was updated on November 1, 2026 and Vatanator Pro on November 2, 2026.

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