Comparison

Ruismaker vs Xequence 2

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

Head to head
About

Ruismaker

This app is an analog drumsynth that creates sounds using authentic synthesis algorithms, not samples. It features a creative Euclidean sequencer for pattern programming and integrates seamlessly with AUv3 hosts like Garageband. It offers customizable sound models and MIDI control for flexible music production.

Highlights
  • Analog and FM synthesis sound modeling
  • Sample-free sound generation
  • Euclidean sequencer
  • AUv3 compatibility
  • MIDI CC control
  • WAV and MIDI export
  • Ableton Link sync
Features
Read full description

What the reviews say: "A must-have drum synth for electronic music lovers on iOS" - Keyboard Mag "All of this comes together in a vision that’s really playable [...] this is another excellent choice for the iPad." - CreateDigitalMusic "Small, compact and easy to use, Ruismaker is both inexpensive and a perfectly credible choice if you are after solid drum synth sounds." - MusicAppBlog -- Ruismaker is a unique drumsynth plugin (i.e. it does not use samples), which is coupled with a creative Euclidean sequencer when run in standalone mode. The plugin is fully AUv3 (Audio Unit) compatible: - Seamless integration with Garageband and other AU hosts - Audio Unit Instrument: making music on iOS doesn't get more convenient - Supports Multi-Output AUv3 in AUM and ApeMatrix! - Each sound is modeled using authentic analog and FM algorithms; - Comes with dozens of unique customizable models - Does not use any samples; all sounds are synthesized in realtime, on the fly - Emulates analog components, introducing subtle, natural fluctuations in the sound - Light on the CPU, so you can run lots of Ruismakers simultaneously - Fully automatable parameters (requires host support) and MIDI CC controllable - Has its own preset manager The standalone sequencer is refreshingly different: - Program patterns using Euclidean algorithms - Powerful random feature and mutation probability settings per channel - Syncs with Ableton Link or MIDI Clock - Exports WAV and MIDI - Compatible with Audiobus 3 (including MIDI IN/OUT mode) - CoreMIDI In and Out - AU MIDI output for the on-screen pads User manual available on Ruismaker.com

About

Xequence 2

A powerful MIDI sequencer, editor, and controller for digital music production on iPhone and iPad. It offers a desktop-class editing experience, robust import/export, and advanced features like MPE support and Ableton Link.

Highlights
  • MIDI sequencer, editor, arranger, and controller
  • Desktop-class editing experience
  • Robust MIDI file import/export
  • MPE support with per-note editing
  • Scale support in editors and keyboard
  • Ableton Link and Audiobus 3 integration
  • Advanced clip-based arranger
Features
Read full description

This app is targeted at digital music production enthusiasts & professionals. Xequence is a comprehensive, fast & reliable MIDI sequencer, editor, arranger & controller for iPhone & iPad. Providing a desktop-class editing experience, it is the perfect centerpiece for a hardware studio, or for apps like AUM & Audiobus 3 to create a modular mobile music production environment. HIGHLIGHTS: - Efficient & fast User Interface for an amazing editing workflow - Robust MIDI File Import & Export (notes, controllers, program changes, etc.) - Extensive support for MPE (In-App Purchase) with per-note expression data editing - Support for scales everywhere (keyboard, pianoroll, etc.) - Over 70 included scales in 10 categories - MIDI Time Stretching in all editors - Best-in-class MIDI timing and clock output - Full Ableton Link 3 support - Full Audiobus 3 support - MIDI In & Thru with re-channelization & re-routing - MIDI Sync Master (Clock/Start/Stop/Continue/SPP) to sync other DAWs & sequencers to Xequence, e.g. to use audio tracks, or external drum machines. Several options for compatibility ARRANGER: - Unlimited Clips - Unlimited Tracks - Unlimited Sub Tracks per Track - 64 Undo/Redo steps - Flexible grid - Per-track non-destructive Swing & MIDI Delay - Linked Clips / Clones (editing the original changes all copies) - Powerful clip-based, per-track independent looping - Program changes - Selection tools: Marquee/Rectangle, Same Track, Same Instrument, Linked Clips, Invert, etc. - Editing tools: Create Copy, Create Linked Copy, Unlink, Split, Join, Convert loops to clips, etc. - Global clipboard, even between projects - Movement/Trimming Handles at screen edges for efficient editing PIANOROLL EDITOR: - 256 Undo/Redo steps - Scale-awareness ("folding") - Relative or absolute grid (move by grid increments or snap to nearest grid lines) - Live MIDI previews of all edits - Selection tools: Box, Same Note, Same Key, Same Beat Position, Invert, etc. - Editing tools: Copy, Legato, Quantize, Quantize Ends, Octave +/-, Flip H/V (mirror), Fill clip with selection, etc. - Smart Draw mode: Touch to create, touch again to delete, drag up/down to transpose, drag left/right to change length - Global clipboard, even between projects - Configurable "ghost" overlays - Note velocities quickly adjustable via a handle, or editable like controllers, see below: CONTROLLER EDITOR: - 256 Undo/Redo steps - Selection tools: Box, Same Beat Position, Invert - Selection modes: Add & Replace - Editing tools: Copy, Reduce, Quantize, Compress/Expand, Flip H/V (mirror), Ramp (various curves), Fill clip with selection - Smart Draw mode - Note Velocities can be shown as controllers and edited with the same tools - Configurable vertical grid & value entry KEYBOARD / CONTROLLER: - Scale-aware, very playable single or dual keyboards - Glide support - Adjustable key width - Velocity emulation (via vertical position) - Drum maps and pads, fully editable, 40+ factory maps - Touch ribbons for live control - Controllers can be moved by sliding (ribbon), device rotation (up to three axes at once), like a button (sustain pedal, "trance gates"), or by touching the keys at different vertical positions. All highly configurable. INSTRUMENTS: - Unlimited Instruments (MIDI configurations for devices / apps) - Up to 150controller slots per Instrument - Optional support for (N)RPNs (In-App Purchase) - Loading & Saving of instruments for re-use in other projects, 40+ factory presets included (In-App Purchase) - Compatible with virtually ALL apps and class-compliant MIDI interfaces VARIOUS: - Audio or MIDI Metronome - Note chasing (notes play even when playback starts in the middle) - Controller chasing - Perfect song looping, no dropouts/jitter at loop points - Supports any time signature/BPM (fixed per song) - Includes PolyHymnia, an advanced Generative Music module - Light and Dark themes Please report any issues via our website, we provide quick and comprehensive support!

Screenshots

Ruismaker2 screens
Xequence 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ruismaker at $4.99 against Xequence 2's $19.99. Ruismaker also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Xequence 2's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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

Ruismaker costs $4.99 and Xequence 2 $19.99 up front. Xequence 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ruismaker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ruismaker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 65 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of Ruismaker's written reviews are positive against 78% of Xequence 2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ruismaker ships an update every 5 weeks, Xequence 2 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Ruismaker versus Xequence 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRuismakerXequence 2
Price$4.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.8 (57 ratings) — better4.6 (65 ratings)
Positive reviews74.1% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5765 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.2
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosAlexander Ewering

Customer experience

Ruismaker

All ratings57 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive74.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative20.4%

Xequence 2

All ratings65 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral1.5%
Negative9.2%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral4.4%
Negative17.8%

In-app purchases

None

Ruismaker

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Xequence 2

One-time1
  • Enhanced Pack$4.99

Questions

Is Ruismaker free?
Ruismaker costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Xequence 2 free?
Xequence 2 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ruismaker or Xequence 2?
Ruismaker is rated higher. Ruismaker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 57 ratings, while Xequence 2 averages 4.6 from 65 ratings.
Do Ruismaker or Xequence 2 have ads?
Neither Ruismaker nor Xequence 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ruismaker or Xequence 2?
Ruismaker ships an update every 5 weeks, and Xequence 2 every 2 weeks. Most recently, Ruismaker was updated on September 18, 2026 and Xequence 2 on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons