GridInstrument vs sub808
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GridInstrument
This app transforms your iOS device into a unique musical instrument with a grid-based interface. Explore over 20 musical modes and various grid layouts. It also supports external MIDI controllers like the Launchpad for expanded creative possibilities.
- Grid-based note arrangement
- Launchpad integration
- Over 20 musical modes
- Multiple grid layouts
- Core MIDI out
- Audiobus 3 MIDI support
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GridInstrument lets you play your iOS device like a musical instrument. Instead of a piano keyboard, notes are arranged on a grid. It also lets you hook up your Launchpad device (using the Apple Camera Connection Kit) and play that as well! Features: - Launchpad integration (connect your Launchpad Mini in low-power mode without a hub or any other Launchpad with a powered hub) - Change octaves - Change keys - Change from over 20 musical modes ("Major, Minor, Dorian, Mixolydian, etc.") - Choose between three grid layouts ("Diatonic", "Chromatic/4ths String Layout", "Drum rack"), as well as row note offset/overlap setting - Core MIDI out so that you use GridInstrument to control your other instruments - Audiobus 3 MIDI support - MIDI note input so that you can see notes triggered by other devices on your grid Want to see some other feature implemented? Contact us at the Decidedly website.
sub808
Create powerful sub-bass sounds with this intuitive instrument app. Explore analog-inspired flavors, fine-tune saturation, and sculpt your basslines with versatile envelope and shaper controls. Compatible across devices for seamless production.
- 50 Factory Presets
- 4 Analog Flavors
- 8 Saturation Modes
- Filter Cutoff & Glide
- Handcrafted Envelope & Shaper
- Cross-platform Compatibility
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Sub atomic bass. Anywhere. For any mix. sub808 is the end result of countless hours dialing in and perfecting the perfect 808 - so you don’t have to! Experience the instant power of sub808 in your productions and sculpt your bass into something uniquely yours with our intuitive interface, all within moments. At its core, sub808 includes 50 Factory Presets, featuring 4 distinct flavors: Smooth, Tape, Gritty, and Nasty. Each flavor comes with its own unique analog character, providing excellent starting points for your creativity. Fine-tune these sounds to perfection with 8 Saturation modes, offering precise control over drive and mix levels. Smooth Easy-To-Dial-in Filter Cutoff & Glide Times: Experience enhanced versatility with a filter cutoff featuring both pre and post saturation modes, enabling you to position your filter precisely within the signal chain. Elevate your bass playability with the added convenience of an easily adjustable glide function, facilitating seamless pitch bending between your bass lines for added depth and expression. Handcrafted Envelope and Shaper: We’ve dialed in a customized amp envelope, giving you just what you need: Attack & Release. To complement this further, a specialized transient shaper that can sculpt your sound from a smooth bass pad, to PUNCH kick drum sound with ease. Collaborate, Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Machine: Wether you have a fleet of production machines, or if you collaborate with music makers around the world, we have you covered with cross-platform compatibility & presets to make switching between any machine fast and easy. Features - 50 Factory Presets covering multiple genres - 4 distinct Flavors with baked in Analog goodness - 8 Saturation Modes w/ Drive & Mix Controls - Punch Control for Smooth or Punchy bass - Sound sculpting Glide & Attack/Release Controls - Preset Manager included for saving, editing, and loading different presets - Standalone app and AUv3 included
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: GridInstrument at 83% against sub808's 0%. GridInstrument also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months) and price ($3.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
GridInstrument costs $3.99 and sub808 $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
GridInstrument holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of GridInstrument's written reviews are positive against 0% of sub808's.
GridInstrument ships an update weekly, sub808 every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GridInstrument | sub808 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (11 ratings) — better | 4.2 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 150 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Decidedly, LLC | OSC Audio |
Customer experience
GridInstrument
sub808
In-app purchases
GridInstrument
No in-app purchases
sub808
No in-app purchases









