Comparison

GridInstrument vs sub808

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Grid-based note arrangement
  • Launchpad integration
  • Over 20 musical modes
  • Multiple grid layouts
  • Core MIDI out
  • Audiobus 3 MIDI support
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 50 Factory Presets
  • 4 Analog Flavors
  • 8 Saturation Modes
  • Filter Cutoff & Glide
  • Handcrafted Envelope & Shaper
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
Features
Read full description

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

GridInstrument2 screens
sub8084 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

GridInstrument costs $3.99 and sub808 $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GridInstrument ships an update weekly, sub808 every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
GridInstrument versus sub808: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGridInstrumentsub808
Price$3.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.5 (11 ratings) — better4.2 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better10
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB150 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDecidedly, LLCOSC Audio

Customer experience

GridInstrument

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral12.5%
Negative4.2%

sub808

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

GridInstrument

No in-app purchases

None

sub808

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GridInstrument free?
GridInstrument costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is sub808 free?
sub808 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GridInstrument or sub808?
GridInstrument is rated higher. GridInstrument averages 4.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while sub808 averages 4.2 from 10 ratings.
Do GridInstrument or sub808 have ads?
Neither GridInstrument nor sub808 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GridInstrument or sub808?
GridInstrument ships an update weekly, and sub808 every 6 months. Most recently, GridInstrument was updated on September 11, 2026 and sub808 on September 7, 2026.

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