Comparison

Beat Station vs Simple Sets

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

Simple Sets

Features
Read full description

Simple Sets — Setlist Maker & Songbook Manager The setlist app built for practice and performance. Organize your songs, view lyrics and chords, and perform with confidence — all fully offline. Built for the Stage Pull up any song in seconds during a live show. Lyrics and chords appear in a clean, full‑screen layout optimized for low light. Navigate pages with a tap, swipe, or Bluetooth foot pedal. Enable auto‑scroll when you need hands‑free performance. Changing keys at soundcheck? Transpose instantly and save the new key with one tap. Chord Support Included Import ChordPro files or plain‑text lyrics with chords above the words — Simple Sets detects and converts them automatically. Guitar and piano chord diagrams appear inline so you never have to search mid‑show. Your Songs, Your Way Customize fonts, text size, colors, and spacing per song. Set individual scroll speeds. Use dual‑view mode on tablets to see two sections at once. Print full setlists with lyrics or chords in just a couple of taps. Everything in One Place • Song library with search and alphabetical browsing • Drag‑and‑drop setlist builder • Reorder songs anytime — even during a set • Built‑in metronome with tap tempo • Share songs or full setlists as .simpleset files • Full backup and restore across devices Try Before You Buy Use Simple Sets free for up to 15 songs and 3 setlists. Test your library, layouts, and Bluetooth pedals with no commitment. Unlock the Full Experience A single one‑time purchase removes all limits and adds cloud features: • Unlimited songs and setlists • Google Drive backup and sync • No subscriptions, no ads, no accounts — buy once, own it forever Simple Sets supports you whether you're practicing at home, gigging this weekend, or leading worship on Sunday morning.

Screenshots

Beat Station4 screens
Simple Sets4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Simple Sets at every 11 days against Beat Station's every 5 weeks. Beat Station's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Beat Station ships an update every 5 weeks, Simple Sets every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Beat Station versus Simple Sets: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeat StationSimple Sets
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (496 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings496 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size209 MB48 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSonar MultimediaKyle Palmer

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

Simple Sets

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Simple Sets

One-time1
  • Simple Sets Premium$6.99

Questions

Is Beat Station free?
Beat Station is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simple Sets free?
Simple Sets is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Beat Station or Simple Sets have ads?
Neither Beat Station nor Simple Sets shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Beat Station or Simple Sets?
Beat Station ships an update every 5 weeks, and Simple Sets every 11 days. Most recently, Beat Station was updated on October 13, 2026 and Simple Sets on September 29, 2026.

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