# Drum Pad Machine vs Poly 2

The clearest difference is ads: Poly 2 at none against Drum Pad Machine's shown. Poly 2 also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 63%) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months). Drum Pad Machine's advantage is ratings volume (674K vs 686) and chart position (#202 vs unranked). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Drum Pad Machine sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Poly 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Poly 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drum Pad Machine has 674K ratings behind it against 686, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Drum Pad Machine's written reviews are positive against 84% of Poly 2's.

Drum Pad Machine ships an update every 3 months, Poly 2 every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Drum Pad Machine | Poly 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (674K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965/reviews) | **[4.8 (686 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poly-2/id1477029326/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **674K** | 686 |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | **84.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#202** | — |
| Size | 230 MB | 153 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Easybrain Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1190815537) | [James Milton](https://appshunter.io/developer/581503621) |

## What reviewers say

### Drum Pad Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965)

**Currently charting:** #202 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Create professional-quality music and unique tracks with a variety of styles and sound packs. Utilize instruments, FX, and sequencing for creative sound design. Learn through beat school lessons and share your creations instantly.

**Highlights:** Multiple music styles (Hip-hop, Trap, House, etc.), Professional sound packs, Drum and Piano instruments, Sequencing with tempo and EQ, Beat School lessons, Quick music sharing

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drum Pad Machine Pro - Weekly | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Music Beat Maker Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Drum Pad Machine Pro - Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Beatmaker Premium | $14.99 | per month |
| Drum Pad Machine Pro - Annual | $46.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Incredible music-making experience
- 👍 Easy to learn and use
- 🎶 Wide variety of music genres and beats
- 🎓 Helpful tutorials and lessons
- 🎧 High-quality sound samples

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤬 Excessive and repetitive ads
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Occasional glitches and crashes
- 🤔 Limited customization options
- ⏱️ Lessons and tutorials move too fast

**Reported bugs**

- Recordings sometimes stop unexpectedly
- Difficulty registering multiple button presses simultaneously
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Add a search function to find specific beats
- Allow users to create and share their own custom beats
- Implement a pause/resume feature for recordings
- Provide more granular control over tempo and timing


### Poly 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poly-2/id1477029326)

This app generates evolving musical patterns and melodies using polyrhythms. It offers extensive sound manipulation with a sampler, multiple effects, and the ability to store numerous configurations. Users can also import their own sounds and integrate with other music production tools.

**Highlights:** Generative polyrhythm sequencing, Up to 8 simultaneous sounds, Sampler with envelopes and filters, Randomize capabilities, Built-in delay, reverb, distortion, and EQ FX, AUv3, Audiobus, and IAA support, Import custom samples

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro mode | $11.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Unique, creative, and powerful tool
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🎨 Excellent for ambient, experimental, and generative music
- 🎹 Great for drum grooves and rhythmic patterns
- 💻 Seamless integration with external hardware and software

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Lack of sustain/voice ring-out when transport is stopped
- 📺 Small interface elements can be difficult to use on iPad
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with some third-party apps

**Reported bugs**

- In-app purchase not working for some users
- MIDI connectivity issues with certain apps
- Crashes upon opening for some users

**Requested features**

- Ability to preview samples before importing
- Autoslice/autochop functionality for samples
- Support for larger sample imports and automatic slot filling
- Granulizer effect
- Note repeat and vinyl effects


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Drum Pad Machine free?

Drum Pad Machine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Poly 2 free?

Poly 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Drum Pad Machine or Poly 2?

Poly 2 is rated higher. Drum Pad Machine averages 4.6 out of 5 from 674K ratings, while Poly 2 averages 4.8 from 686 ratings.

### Do Drum Pad Machine or Poly 2 have ads?

Drum Pad Machine shows ads; Poly 2 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Drum Pad Machine or Poly 2?

Drum Pad Machine ships an update every 3 months, and Poly 2 every 4 weeks. Most recently, Drum Pad Machine was updated on September 25, 2026 and Poly 2 on September 8, 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.*