# Patch Base vs XPad

The clearest difference is rating: XPad at 3.8 against Patch Base's 3.4. XPad also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Patch Base's advantage is ratings volume (85 vs 24). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and XPad sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

XPad holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 85 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of Patch Base's written reviews are positive against 50% of XPad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, XPad every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Patch Base | XPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews) | **[3.8 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xpad/id1338505908/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **85** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | **52.9% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 69 MB | 1.2 GB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) | [Christian Schoenebeck d/b/a Crudebyte](https://appshunter.io/developer/428367741) |

## What reviewers say

### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


### XPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xpad/id1338505908)

This app provides professional pad sounds for keyboardists, aiming to replicate warm analog synth tones with advanced digital features. It offers intuitive glissando control, real-time sound morphing, and extensive MIDI compatibility for a dynamic playing experience.

**Highlights:** Modern pad sounds, Realistic glissando control, Tone Width morphing, Sensible sound controls, MIDI remote control, Extensive sound library search

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weirdo Sound Set | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pluck Sound Set | $2.99 | one-time |
| Metal Sound Set | $3.99 | one-time |
| Bass Sound Set | $3.99 | one-time |
| Choir Sound Set | $3.99 | one-time |
| Altro Sound Set | $3.99 | one-time |
| Organ Sound Set | $3.99 | one-time |
| Percussive Sound Set | $3.99 | one-time |
| Silicon Sound Set | $4.99 | one-time |
| Vintage Sound Set | $4.99 | one-time |
| Atmo Sound Set | $5.99 | one-time |
| Space Sound Set | $5.99 | one-time |
| Nature Sound Set | $5.99 | one-time |
| Sequence Sound Set | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Patch Base free?

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

### Is XPad free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Patch Base or XPad?

XPad is rated higher. Patch Base averages 3.4 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while XPad averages 3.8 from 24 ratings.

### Do Patch Base or XPad have ads?

Neither Patch Base nor XPad shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Patch Base or XPad?

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, and XPad every 4 weeks. Most recently, Patch Base was updated on September 23, 2026 and XPad on September 10, 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.*