Rhythm Machine vs MIDI Drum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Rhythm Machine
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“Rhythm Machine” is a really helpful assistant for rehearsing music. Much better than a simple metronome, a drum machine plays complex rhythms you want to learn or delivers the perfect groove for your session: - With a few simple clicks you can program complex drum rhythms. - All time signatures from 6/8 to 6/4 are possible and combinable. - You can use four different patterns to make a song arrangement. These patterns can run one after the other or at the same time! - Arrangements can be loaded, saved and sent or imported via email! This is a really perfect tool for every music teacher. - High-quality audio samples produce a really authentic drum sound. (Best to use with earplugs or a hi-fi system) - A short video tutorial is included! The "Lite Version“ is free: Download now, try it and have fun!
MIDI Drum
Create and perform drum patterns with an 8-track sequencer. Connect to external instruments and apps via Bluetooth or USB MIDI. Share your creations and explore a library of user-made songs.
- 8-track drum sequencer
- User-friendly interface
- Live performance mode
- General MIDI sound source
- Bluetooth LE and USB MIDI support
- Song library for sharing
- Export Standard MIDI Files (paid add-on)
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Key Features: - 8-track drum sequencer - Simple, user-friendly interface - Display and edit 4 to 48 steps across 4 cycles on a single screen - Live performance with up to 6 toggleable blocks - Built-in sound source compliant with General MIDI - Compatible with electronic instruments via MIDI connection (e.g., Casiotone, PortaTone, InstaChord) - Connection options: Bluetooth LE MIDI or USB MIDI - Extend sound sources by connecting with other apps such as bs-16i - Can be operated via external MIDI devices, keyboards, and page-turning switches - Song library for sharing self-created data and downloading from other users - Export Standard MIDI Files (SMF) – available as a paid add-on *Loading data created by other users is free. *In-app purchases apply across all devices. Official Website (Japanese): https://instachord.com/product/midi-drum/ User Manual (English): https://kantan-music.notion.site/MIDI-Drum-Manual-5976bdeba4f04900851f0e3c9ae247d6 Song Library: https://instachord.com/community/drum-data/ Developer: bismark [https://www.bismark.jp/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: MIDI Drum at every 3 weeks against Rhythm Machine's every 4 months. Rhythm Machine's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Rhythm Machine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and MIDI Drum sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Rhythm Machine ships an update every 4 months, MIDI Drum every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Rhythm Machine | MIDI Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 3.7 (3 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 106 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Joachim Sendelbach | InstaChord Corp. |
In-app purchases
Rhythm Machine
- Rhythm Machine Pro$2.99
MIDI Drum
- Save in proprietary format$4.99
- Export as SMF$4.99
Questions
Is Rhythm Machine free?
Is MIDI Drum free?
Do Rhythm Machine or MIDI Drum have ads?
Which is updated more often, Rhythm Machine or MIDI Drum?
Other comparisons
