# Drum Pads Machine vs Drum Machine

The clearest difference is rating: Drum Machine at 4.3 against Drum Pads Machine's 2.6. Drum Machine also leads on ratings volume (6.1K vs 5) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 4 months). Drum Pads Machine's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Drum Pads Machine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Drum Machine sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Drum Machine holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drum Machine has 6.1K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Drum Pads Machine's written reviews are positive against 18% of Drum Machine's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Drum Pads Machine ships an update every 4 months, Drum Machine every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Drum Pads Machine | Drum Machine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pads-machine-beat-maker/id1124326627/reviews) | **[4.3 (6.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-machine-music-maker/id1435908315/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **6.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 18.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 77 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexey Natarov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1115551636) | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) |

## What reviewers say

### Drum Pads Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pads-machine-beat-maker/id1124326627)

Create music and popular grooves with a virtual drum machine, step sequencer, and groovebox. Offers presets in various genres, original samples, and a powerful sequencer for all skill levels.

**Highlights:** Virtual drum machine, Step sequencer, Groovebox functionality, Genre presets, High-quality samples, Swing mode, Autoplay mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $9.99 | one-time |


### Drum Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-machine-music-maker/id1435908315)

Create impressive music with an intuitive beat maker. Explore various drum kits, utilize a step sequencer, and mix tracks with an 8-track mixer. Compatible with MIDI controllers for an enhanced experience.

**Highlights:** High quality drum kits, 8 tracks mixer, Steps sequencer, Drum pads, MIDI controllers compatibility

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Pass | $4.49 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Pass | $7.49 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium pass | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Pass | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Pass | $9.49 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Pass | $18.99 | per month |
| Annual Premium Pass | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Pass | $39.99 | per year |
| Annually Premium Pass | $46.99 | per year |
| Annually premium pass | $79.99 | per year |
| Annually Premium Pass | $94.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Cool app
- 🚀 Great drum machine
- 🚀 Fun to make music

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires subscription to use
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🐛 Crashes and errors
- 🔋 Drains battery
- 💰 Overpriced subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription screen blocks access
- Ads block functionality
- Sounds don't save

**Requested features**

- Export tracks
- Tap tempo
- Free version with limited features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Drum Pads Machine free?

Drum Pads Machine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Drum Machine free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Drum Pads Machine or Drum Machine?

Drum Machine is rated higher. Drum Pads Machine averages 2.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Drum Machine averages 4.3 from 6.1K ratings.

### Do Drum Pads Machine or Drum Machine have ads?

Drum Machine shows ads; Drum Pads Machine does not.

### Which is updated more often, Drum Pads Machine or Drum Machine?

Drum Pads Machine ships an update every 4 months, and Drum Machine every 4 weeks. Most recently, Drum Pads Machine was updated on June 4, 2026 and Drum Machine on September 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.*