# ChordUp vs SAND

The clearest difference is price: SAND at Free against ChordUp's $5.99. SAND also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.4). ChordUp's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (94% vs 79%). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

SAND is free to download; ChordUp costs $5.99 up front. SAND sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. ChordUp asks for nothing beyond the download.

SAND holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 89 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 94% of ChordUp's written reviews are positive against 79% of SAND's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ChordUp ships an update every 3 weeks, SAND every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ChordUp | SAND |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.4 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordup/id1058553903/reviews) | **[4.6 (89 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **89** |
| Positive reviews | **94.3% of reviews** | 79.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#182** | — |
| Size | 30 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dmitrii Klochkov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1058553902) | [Matteo Caldari](https://appshunter.io/developer/325826466) |

## What reviewers say

### ChordUp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordup/id1058553903)

**Currently charting:** #182 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app is a musical instrument and MIDI controller that lets you play common chords instantly with a single touch. It offers multiple playing surfaces for chords, single notes, or strumming, and can control other music apps on the same or different devices.

**Highlights:** Instant chord selection with single touch, Play full chords, single notes, or strum, Control other music apps via MIDI, 108 available chords, 10 embedded instruments, Smart sustain and chord locking

**In-app purchases:** none


### SAND

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684)

This app is a grid-based music sequencer that allows users to create compositions using AUv3 plugins and external MIDI devices. It offers extensive tools for arranging clips, editing notes, automating parameters, and routing MIDI.

**Highlights:** Grid-based MIDI sequencing, AUv3 plugin hosting, External MIDI device support, Advanced clip editing, Track and effect management, Song mode for arrangement, MIDI routing and mapping

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14-day trial | Free | one-time |
| 14 Days Trial | Free | one-time |
| Unlock | $9.99 | one-time |
| Audio Tracks | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great UI and features
- 💡 Potential for music creation
- 🚀 Fast and creative workflow
- 👍 Easy to use, no instructions needed
- 💡 Most usable studio on small screen

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Record function always starts
- 🐛 Sand not opening in overview
- 🐛 Integration with other apps seems off
- 🐛 Record does not pick up data
- 🐛 Cannot save ideas from one app to another

**Reported bugs**

- Record function always starts when entering Midi Instrument or FX
- Sand not opening in overview
- Integration with other apps seems off
- Record does not pick up data
- Cannot save ideas from one app to another

**Requested features**

- Sand always open in overview
- Long press in sequence track window
- Random/chance abilities in clips (Polyend Play style)
- Semi-generative function or scale-based patterns/sequences
- Save AUv3 presets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ChordUp free?

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

### Is SAND free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ChordUp or SAND?

SAND is rated higher. ChordUp averages 4.4 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while SAND averages 4.6 from 89 ratings.

### Do ChordUp or SAND have ads?

Neither ChordUp nor SAND shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ChordUp or SAND?

ChordUp ships an update every 3 weeks, and SAND every 2 months. Most recently, ChordUp was updated on October 29, 2026 and SAND 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.*