Comparison

Ruismaker vs Radio Unit

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

Radio Unit

Stream over 35,000 internet radio stations with this app. Enhance your audio experience by using it as an AUv3 plugin with other compatible music apps. Discover new music and save your favorites.

Highlights
  • Access 35,000+ radio stations
  • Enhance audio with AUv3 plugins
  • Intuitive interface
  • Song discovery and saving
  • Favorites sync across devices
  • MIDI control for AUv3 plugin
Read full description

Discover a world of music with Radio Unit, a sleek and powerful Internet radio player with a built-in Audio Unit (AUv3) plugin.  Elevate your listening experience by enhancing streaming audio in real time using your favorite third-party audio processing plugins (not included) within AUv3-compatible hosts like Drambo or GarageBand. Features: • Intuitive Interface: Enjoy a clean, user-friendly design for effortless navigation. • Song Discovery: Tap to add the currently playing song to your favorites, then open it in the Apple Music app or search for it on Google. • Massive Station Library: Access over 35,000 radio stations—search by name, browse by genre or location, and sort by popularity. • Favorites Sync: Save stations and songs to your favorites list, seamlessly synced across your devices. • AUv3 Integration: Use Radio Unit as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin in hosts like Drambo, GarageBand, and more, with support for multiple plugin instances. • MIDI Mapping: Control buttons can be triggered by MIDI Note events (C3 to F3). (AUv3 only) • Battery Efficient: Stream music without draining your device. The app requires internet connection.

Screenshots

Ruismaker2 screens
Radio Unit2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ruismaker at $4.99 against Radio Unit's $6.99. Ruismaker also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Radio Unit $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

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 — 58 and 60 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of Ruismaker's written reviews are positive against 81% of Radio Unit'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, Radio Unit every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Ruismaker versus Radio Unit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRuismakerRadio Unit
Price$4.99 — better$6.99
Rating4.8 (58 ratings) — better4.6 (60 ratings)
Positive reviews74.1% of reviews81.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5860 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosBeepStreet

Customer experience

Ruismaker

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

Radio Unit

All ratings59 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral9.3%
Negative9.3%

Bugs and requests

Ruismaker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Radio Unit

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Cannot remove recognized songs
  • Cannot remove favorite saved songs (Mac)
  • Last update ruined experience with loading times and connection issues
  • Sadé channel frequently disconnects
  • Some stations don’t connect at all
Show 12 more
  • Cannot see song title/artist
  • Seamless integration with GarageBand and Logic Pro doesn't work
  • Cannot change station with MIDI, LFOs etc. after update
  • Cubasis 3 can’t find app
  • BBC streams no longer play
  • Cannot edit user slots after adding of link
  • Links not working
  • Cannot add user slots ('see the developer to unlock slots')
  • Adding stations near impossible
  • Failed URL slot flashes red and is inaccessible
  • Cannot paste other URLs
  • Cannot record and sample the feed into DAW

Requested features

13 requests
  • Option to remove or filter hostile nations
  • Add more stations (Golha radio, IRIB radio)
  • Ability to organize, tag, and edit stream specifications
  • Ability to use with CarPlay
  • Pitch slider within the app to slow down radio in real time
Show 8 more
  • More user presets/slots
  • iCloud sync for recently played stations and discovered pieces
  • Ability to change station with MIDI, LFOs etc. (post-update issue)
  • More exposed parameters for tweaking
  • Greater resources for slots (folders/sections)
  • Import/export presets list
  • Assign MIDI CC to volume knob and channel switch buttons
  • Support for streams in OGG container format

In-app purchases

None

Ruismaker

No in-app purchases

None

Radio Unit

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ruismaker free?
Ruismaker costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Radio Unit free?
Radio Unit costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ruismaker or Radio Unit?
Ruismaker is rated higher. Ruismaker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while Radio Unit averages 4.6 from 60 ratings.
Do Ruismaker or Radio Unit have ads?
Neither Ruismaker nor Radio Unit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ruismaker or Radio Unit?
Ruismaker ships an update every 5 weeks, and Radio Unit every 2 months. Most recently, Ruismaker was updated on October 24, 2026 and Radio Unit on October 24, 2026.

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