# Fugue Machine vs Riffer

The clearest difference is price: Riffer at $9.99 against Fugue Machine's $19.99. Fugue Machine's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (90% vs 65%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Fugue Machine costs $19.99 and Riffer $9.99 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 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fugue Machine has 623 ratings behind it against 87, 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 65% of Riffer's.

Fugue Machine ships an update every 8 days, Riffer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fugue Machine | Riffer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$9.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (623 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fugue-machine-midi-sequencer/id1014191410/reviews)** | [4.1 (87 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riffer/id1435691909/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **623** | 87 |
| Positive reviews | **90.3% of reviews** | 64.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#160** | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexandernaut](https://appshunter.io/developer/508173422) | [AUDIOMODERN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435691908) |

## What reviewers say

### Fugue Machine

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

**Currently charting:** #160 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

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


### Riffer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riffer/id1435691909)

This app generates random MIDI patterns and melodies for synths, samplers, and drum machines. Explore scales, complexity, and playback options to create unique musical ideas. Save your favorite riffs and use Infinity mode for endless generation.

**Highlights:** Random pattern and melody generation, Supports software and hardware MIDI devices, Customizable scales, complexity, and steps, Playback motion and transpose controls, Infinity mode for endless generation, MIDI output over WiFi or cable, Ableton Link sync

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fugue Machine free?

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

### Is Riffer free?

Riffer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Fugue Machine is rated higher. Fugue Machine averages 4.9 out of 5 from 623 ratings, while Riffer averages 4.1 from 87 ratings.

### Do Fugue Machine or Riffer have ads?

Neither Fugue Machine nor Riffer shows ads.

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

Fugue Machine ships an update every 8 days, and Riffer every 6 weeks. Most recently, Fugue Machine was updated on September 25, 2026 and Riffer on September 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*