Comparison

Soft Drummer vs Pro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Soft Drummer

This app generates realistic, improvisational drum grooves for various genres using brushes, hot rods, and hands. It functions as an AUv3 plugin for DAWs and offers extensive sound customization, live performance pads, and song structuring capabilities. Export options include audio, MIDI, and effects.

Highlights
  • Improvisational drum groove generation
  • AUv3 plugin for DAWs
  • Brush, hot rod, and hand playing styles
  • Multi-layer sounds with round robin
  • Live performance pads
  • Song structure building
  • MIDI In/Out and Ableton Link sync
Features
Read full description

Soft Drummer is your subtle session drummer, and now it works as an AUv3 plugin inside GarageBand, AUM, Loopy Pro or your favourite DAW. It doesn't loop. It improvises. With brushes, hot rods and hands, Soft Drummer generates warm, musical grooves for ballads, soft pop, jazz and latin, adapting in real time like a real session player. No patterns. No repetition. AUv3 Use Soft Drummer as a plugin in any AUv3 host. Send and receive grooves between Soft Drummer, Pop Drummer and iBassist. Sync everything in real time. SOUND More than 50 multilayer sounds with 3 hit types (ghost, accented, drag/open) × 3 Round Robin alternating samples for natural, authentic feel. 4 playing styles: Brushes, Hot Rods, Hands and Mallets. 4 Effects: Compressor/Gate, EQ, Delay and Reverb with individual track control. LIVE PERFORMANCE 8 assignable Live Pads for fills, intros and endings, playable live or with any MIDI controller (iRig Blueboard and 4-button compatible). Ableton Link sync for tight integration with your setup. SONG MODE Build your song structure in seconds. Arrange rhythmic sections and let Soft Drummer follow your song from intro to outro. MIDI MIDI Out, MIDI Sync (Legacy, recommended Ableton Link), Sound Module (Play individual sounds by MIDI In). ⏺ Assignable MIDI controls (default mapping): - Transport: Play: G2 · Fill: C2 · Fill + Play/Stop: A2 · Tap Tempo: Bb2 - LivePads: Pads 1–8: C1–G1 · Load LivePad: C3 · Previous LivePad: Db3 · Next LivePad: D3 · Select LivePad Set: Eb3 · Fill on LivePad Change: E2 - Performance: Toggle Hats/Ride: Db2 · Fill + Toggle Hats/Ride: D2 · Toggle Snare: Eb2 · Crash Cymbal: B2 · Random: B1 - Songs: Previous: Gb2 · Next: Ab2 - Continuous controls: Jam: CC1 · Intensity: CC2 · Master Volume: CC7 · Swing: CC11 · Progression: CC12 · Tempo Fader: CC20 · Reverb: CC91 - Sound selection: Bank: CC32 · Rhythm: CC0 · Soundset: Program Change All assignments are user-remappable. Note octave naming follows the Logic / Cubase / Ableton / Pro Tools convention (middle C = C3) and is adjustable in MIDI Setup → OCTAVE REFERENCE. Tempo Fader is standalone-only (host-driven in AUv3). EXPORT Multi-Track or Full Mix export in seconds. Audio, MIDI or with Effects , your choice. TRY FOR FREE Soft Drummer is free to explore for 7 days with access to all features. Some actions are limited during the trial (exports, random grooves, sound changes and bars per session). After the trial, keep playing with more limitations. Unlock the Full Version with a one-time purchase, no subscription. Extra drummers (Clayton and Joe), sound packs and Studio Mix are sold separately.

About

Pro

This app emulates the sound of an iconic analog poly synthesizer, offering a wide range of sonic possibilities from warm pads to soaring leads. It features advanced modeling, multiple filter styles, and extensive customization options for musicians.

Highlights
  • 10-voice polyphonic analog synth emulation
  • Authentic Poly-Mod and filter modeling
  • Dual filter styles: Classic Stepped and Modern Smooth
  • Extensive preset library with 600+ sounds
  • Microtonality panel with 150 curated scales
  • AUv3 plugin support for DAWs
  • Vintage-style step sequencer and arpeggiator
Features
Read full description

PRO-A5 (10-Voice Analog Synth) Experience the warm organic sound of the most iconic analog poly synth ever made. From Lush Brass, Silky Pads and Basses to Soaring Leads, this is the sound that defined Music Icons from the 80s to Radiohead. MAKE THE MUSIC YOU LOVE "SOUNDS AMAZING!" – Jim Sheridan, Live Band on "Name that Tune" TV Show on Fox Indie, Hip Hop, Pop, Funk, 80s, Synthwave, Rock, Lo-Fi, EDM, Ambient.. your sound awaits! "Sounds Authentic and Beautiful" – Synth Anatomy PURE SYNTH POWER! 2 FILTERS: Classic "REV 3" Inspired Stepped Filter Grit with Beautiful Stepping & Modern Smooth options Powerful Oscillator Sync, Poly Mod, Per-voice Analog Panning, Poly Unison stacks... "Pro-A5 synth is bonkers!!! Great job!!" – Kennard Garrett, Grammy-winning producer Plus a magic “Tune Rez” button that instantly tunes the filter self-oscillation so you can play the filter “I’m speechless. My most favorite analog synth on iPad ever. Unbelievable 70s / 80s feel” – Jay Zen, Producer "Fantastic! I've got at least 100 synths, yet Pro-A5 has impressed me. Great emulation and sounds unique. Genius!" – DMT Cymatics "This thing sounds totally insane. Makes me want to put wooden sides on my iPad" – Bri Kup "It has that warmth that other digital synths don't have" – Fieldtone Audio WATCH VIDEOS TO HEAR IT IN ACTION: audiokitpro.com/proa5 FEATURES • Desktop-VST Quality 10-Voice poly synth • NEW Sound Engine with advanced analog-modeling DSP • Authentic Poly-Mod with Filter ENV & OSC B as sources • Professionally modeled filter with self-oscillation • MICROTONALITY Panel + 150 Curated Scales (Microtonal, Indian, 12-tone, and more) • 600+ Exclusive Presets included (more to come) • 2 Filter styles: Classic Stepped "REV 3" Inspired and Modern Smooth • Magic “Tune Rez” button to instantly tune self-oscillation • 10 voices x 5 unison voices = almost a P-50?! You know the sound. If you need more details: • Raw, gritty Oscillator Sync • Accurate PWM engine with unique hardware-style Poly Mod behavior • Per-Voice Analog Panning • Single Note Polyphony for mono and poly sounds • 2x oversampling for more analog-style lows and highs • Original Hardware controls fit on one screen on iPad! • Aftertouch with 60+ possible destinations • 3 LFOs with 60+ destinations • LFO Shapes use analog resistor-mix behavior with soft-limiting • Dual assignable Touch Pads for real-time performance control • Classic Arpeggiator • Vintage-style Step Sequencer • NEW Cascading Reverb • FX: Rage Limiter, Analog Tape Delay, Chorus, Crush, and more • MIDI keyboard support + MIDI Learn • Universal app for iPhone and iPad • 432 Hz and selectable A-Tuning • Choose a key like Cm, Bb, Fm, and more. Select from Major, Minor, Blues, Pentatonic, and other scales you know and love! • Bonus Filter panel with slopes, envelope inversions, and extra goodies • No ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases WORKS AS A PLUG-IN Use PRO-A5 as an AUv3 instrument in Logic for iPad, GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and more. WORKS BY ITSELF No other apps required. Play it standalone, connect a MIDI keyboard, map your controls with MIDI Learn, and start making music right away. EXPRESSIVE CONTROL PRO-A5 is built for performance. Use velocity, aftertouch, touch pads, LFOs, Poly Mod, MIDI Learn, and real-time FX control to make sounds move, breathe, and evolve. FREE UPGRADES MPE and Polyphonic Aftertouch are planned as a FREE future upgrade. PRO-A5 brings classic poly synth magic into the future. LEGAL NOTICES PRO-A5 is an original AudioKit instrument created to celebrate music-making and classic analog synthesis. It is not an official emulation, clone, or recreation of any specific hardware instrument. “REV 3” is used descriptively to refer to a revision-style sound character and does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by Sequential or any other third-party manufacturer. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Screenshots

Soft Drummer4 screens
Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Soft Drummer at Free against Pro's $7.99. Soft Drummer also leads on ratings volume (516 vs 83). Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks). On rating, review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Soft Drummer is free to download; Pro costs $7.99 up front. Soft Drummer sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Soft Drummer against 4.8 for Pro. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Soft Drummer has 516 ratings behind it against 83, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Soft Drummer's written reviews are positive against 95% of Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Soft Drummer ships an update every 4 weeks, Pro every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Soft Drummer versus Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoft DrummerPro
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating4.7 (516 ratings)4.8 (83 ratings) — better
Positive reviews91.3% of reviews94.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings516 — better83
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1614.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size816 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLumbeatAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

Soft Drummer

All ratings515 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.5%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews609 reviews
Positive91.3%
Neutral4.4%
Negative4.3%

Pro

All ratings78 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive94.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.4%

Bugs and requests

Soft Drummer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Song mode issues, including crashes and missing features
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions and devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for time signatures beyond 4/4
  • Improve MIDI integration and control
  • Implement audio/MIDI export options
  • Provide preset management and organization

Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Soft Drummer

One-time8
  • Big & Low$3.99
  • Presence$3.99
  • Raw Brush$3.99
Show 5 more
  • Tight Control$3.99
  • Clayton$4.99
  • Joe$4.99
  • Studio Mix$8.99
  • Soft Drummer Full Access$22.99
None

Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Soft Drummer free?
Soft Drummer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pro free?
Pro costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Soft Drummer or Pro?
Pro is rated higher. Soft Drummer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 516 ratings, while Pro averages 4.8 from 83 ratings.
Do Soft Drummer or Pro have ads?
Neither Soft Drummer nor Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Soft Drummer or Pro?
Soft Drummer ships an update every 4 weeks, and Pro every 4 days. Most recently, Soft Drummer was updated on November 6, 2026 and Pro on November 5, 2026.

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