Comparison

Beat Station vs DrumComputer

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

Head to head
About

Beat Station

This app provides a versatile drum machine for musicians, offering realistic drum sets and extensive loop libraries. It allows for real-time control of song sections and hands-free operation via a Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard, enhancing practice, production, and live performance.

Highlights
  • Realistic drum sets
  • Extensive drum loop library
  • Multiple control modes (Loop, Pedal, Song)
  • Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard support
  • Inter-App Audio and background audio
  • Export songs as audio files
  • MIDI implementation and DAW integration
Features
Read full description

The Beat Station is a rhythm machine for practicing guitar, bass, keyboard, or any type of instrument, and also brings to production and live performance the ease of not requiring live drums and a drummer. You can control verse, chorus, transition, fill, intro, and outro sections using different modes of operation. Connect Bluetooth MIDI Pedalboard lets you control all sections hands-free. When you hear the rhythm patterns and start to control them live, it is truly like a versatile drummer playing along with you. LOOP MODE Easily play rhythm patterns with loop pads. Each rhythm style includes 12 rhythm patterns: intro, verse, chorus, six fills, two transitions, and outro. You can switch rhythm patterns in real-time as needed during your performance. PEDAL MODE You can use the Pedal mode to play rhythm patterns with four footswitches. By using a Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard, you can perform operational tasks without having to take your hands off of your instrument. SONG MODE You can connect rhythm patterns to create a complete drum track that's appropriate for your own song, and play it automatically. Features • 6 ultra-realistic drum sets • Over 1700 drum loops, 136 rhythm styles in 15 genres • Easily play rhythm patterns with three modes • Inter-App Audio support • Audio background mode • Export your songs as audio files • Full MIDI implementation • MIDI Controller support • MIDI Learn • Send MIDI to DAW or other apps • Ableton Link integration • Keep your projects up to date across all devices using iCloud -------- Beat Station Pro Subscription - Get All Genres of Rhythm (Over 1700 Drum Loops) - Unlimited Projects - Export Audio - MIDI Output • $2.99(USD)/Month  • $22.99(USD)/Year Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. PRIVACY POLICY: https://sonarmusic.app/beatstation/privacy/ TERMS OF USE: https://sonarmusic.app/beatstation/terms/

About

DrumComputer

This app is a powerful tool for creating synthetic drum sounds using a variety of synthesis methods and sequencers. It offers intelligent randomization, flexible modulation, and pattern editing to generate unique beats and explore new sonic possibilities.

Highlights
  • 8 multi-layer sound engines
  • Flexible modulation matrix
  • Intelligent randomizers for sound generation
  • 16-step sequencer with pattern generation
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone support
  • MIDI file export and multiple outputs
  • Preset iCloud sync and sharing
Read full description

DrumComputer is the new specialist for synthetic drums, combining classic and modern synthesis with flexible modulations and luxurious sequencing. Intelligent randomizers, elegant pattern editing and import of your own samples are just a few of the mind blowing possibilities. Enjoy new drums everyday and get inspired by all the creativity that DrumComputer sets free. Just because, there still is all the unheard of... More than 400 global presets and 450 engine presets are shipping with DrumComputer. Add the Sound Randomizer and you have an unlimited source of cool sounds. ::FEATURES:: • 8 Sound Engines, each one layering a Resonator, Wavetable/Analogue, Resynth and Sampler • Filter, Compressor, Overdrive and 2 kinds of Send Reverbs: Room and Hall • 2x Env/LFO, plus Synth-Engine-Modulators, Sequencer-Modulators, ModMatrix • Intelligent Randomizers for endless Drum Sounds • 16 Step Sequencer and Pattern Generator, Probability, Rolls, +/- Step Delay, Swing, Humanize • Auto- und Manual Remixing/Fills • Easy Keyboard Mapping for Patterns, Mutes and Engine Triggers • Keyzones for Rolls, Pitch and Modulation • AUv3 plug-in with MIDI FX support & Standalone • Audio Bounce • MIDI File Export • Multiple Audio/MIDI Outputs • Virtual, Network, External & Bluetooth MIDI • Ableton Link • MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share ••• Sound Engines ••• 8 individual 3-layer synth engines to design, shape and sculpt powerful drum hits. Depth modulation area with envelopes, LFOs, and a complex modulation matrix to change most parameters using a wide array of sources. Finest noise table conversion technology, followed by a filter, distortion and side chain compressor. ••• Sequencer ••• Enjoy smart randomization to create patterns that feel natural and organic and add some feeling to the pattern with swing and 'humanization'. Move various parameters along to match the notes, such as velocity, pitch, decay, probability, roll and offset. ••• Kit Page ••• Bring all the individual sounds together in one place, select new sound presets or even randomly generate new sounds based on various sound type profiles and give your kit some character, punch and an analogue feel! ••• Mix ••• With Volume, Mute, Solo, Pan as well as two reverb return channels you can send any of your sounds to at any time and also assign the mixer parameters as modulation destinations. The Room reverb gives you a nice familiar space, letting you glue together multiple drum sounds, while the Hall reverb gives a massive space you can use either as a utility, or as way to fire your sounds off into the cosmos! ••• Mapping ••• Create up to 16 individual patterns (from scratch, or using the easy copy/paste function), and chain these together into a sequence, up to 16 patterns long. Use your MIDI keyboard or controller to send values that quickly and seamlessly switch between patterns on the fly. Quickly remove and add the individual hits, trigger rolls of different speeds, or even have them as pitch modifiers. ••• Auto- and Manual Remixing/Fills ••• Mash up your patterns with one simple parameter and produce all sorts of automatic and random edits to your sound. Add creative fills and variations to your loop to keep it constantly moving with fresh ideas - great for jamming or to prevent audio stagnation. ••• Wavetable/Resynth Import & Sampler ••• Import your own audiofiles to create Wavetables. Resynthesize Hihats, Snares, even Chords with the Resynth import feature or switch to Sampler mode to play back samples the ordinary way.

Screenshots

Beat Station4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: DrumComputer at free against Beat Station's subscription. DrumComputer also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (81% vs 64%). Beat Station's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. Beat Station sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and DrumComputer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DrumComputer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 498 and 621 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Beat Station's written reviews are positive against 81% of DrumComputer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Beat Station ships an update every 5 weeks, DrumComputer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Beat Station versus DrumComputer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeat StationDrumComputer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (498 ratings)4.8 (621 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews81.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings498621 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size209 MB1.6 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSonar MultimediaSugar Bytes GmbH

Customer experience

Beat Station

All ratings496 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews144 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral13.9%
Negative22.2%

DrumComputer

All ratings621 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.3%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral8.2%
Negative10.9%

User reviews

Beat Station

From 498 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Intuitive interface
  • 💡 Versatile beat options
  • 🎸 Great for guitarists and musicians
  • 🎧 Realistic drum sounds

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Subscription-only model
  • 🔒 Lack of one-time purchase option
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes
  • 🔋 Battery drain issues
  • 💸 Perceived as overpriced

DrumComputer

From 621 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best iOS drum machine
  • 👍 Wicked easy to use interface
  • 👍 Great sound and workflow
  • 👍 Powerful and flexible sequencer
  • 👍 Tons of customization options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes
  • 🔋 High CPU usage and battery drain
  • 👎 Confusing and complex interface
  • 👎 Lack of MIDI mapping for live use
  • 👎 Inability to record beats from pads

Bugs and requests

Beat Station

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues (unable to restore purchases)
  • App freezing or closing unexpectedly
  • Blank tutorial screens
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between beats

Requested features

5 requests
  • More beat variety (Latin, jazz, waltz, etc.)
  • Ability to import custom drum samples
  • Tempo and style changes within a song
  • Midi export option
  • Better tutorial and customer support

DrumComputer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup with iOS 14.2
  • Inability to import samples in some cases
  • MIDI out only supports single channel

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add real-time beat recording
  • Improve MIDI mapping capabilities
  • Add randomization options for tempo, sequence length, and mixing
  • Improve preset management (ability to delete presets)
  • Optimize for better performance and battery life
Show 2 more
  • Add a dedicated envelope for mixer level control
  • Improve signal flow visualization and clarity

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Beat Station

Subscriptions2
  • Beat Station Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Beat Station Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Beat Station Pro (Lifetime)$59.99
1 purchases

DrumComputer

One-time1
  • DrumComputer Full Version$29.99

Questions

Is Beat Station free?
Beat Station is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DrumComputer free?
DrumComputer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Beat Station or DrumComputer?
DrumComputer is rated higher. Beat Station averages 4.5 out of 5 from 498 ratings, while DrumComputer averages 4.8 from 621 ratings.
Do Beat Station or DrumComputer have ads?
Neither Beat Station nor DrumComputer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Beat Station or DrumComputer?
Beat Station ships an update every 5 weeks, and DrumComputer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Beat Station was updated on November 1, 2026 and DrumComputer on October 29, 2026.

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