Comparison

tardigrain vs Vatanator Pro

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

Head to head
About

tardigrain

Create unique sounds by breaking down samples into small fragments and playing them back non-linearly. Explore granular synthesis with adjustable grain size, direction, and step size. Enhance your audio with built-in effects, filters, and modulation options.

Highlights
  • Granular synthesis engine
  • Adjustable grain parameters
  • Built-in effects (reverb, wave shaper, crush)
  • Resonant filter
  • MIDI and MPE modulation
  • Sequencer/arpeggiator
  • LFO modulation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Tardigrain is a granular synthesiser for iOS that runs standalone or as an AU plugin. Sounds are created by taking smaller fragments of a sample and playing them back in a non linear fashion, with settings for grain size, direction, step size and more. Process the sound further through effects like reverb, wave shaper and sample crush. Tardigrain supports connections with AudioCopy, AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3. Plus all audio parameters can be modulated by MIDI, as AU parameters and by aftertouch on the build in keyboard. Now also a selected set of parameters can be modulated by LFOs och notes triggered by a new sequencer/arpeggiator. +++ Record your own samples or import using AudioCopy/drag'n drop +++ Chromatic granualar playpack +++ Effects (Wave shaper, Reverb, Sample crusher, Pitch and stereo spread) +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Keyboard and MPE modulation of any audio parameters +++ Note trigger sequencer/arpeggiator +++ 4 LFO sources for modulating a selected set of parameters +++ Multiple factory presets to get you started +++ Save and load your own settings and samples +++ Inter App Audio, AudioBus and AUv3 +++ Core MIDI, Inter App Audio MIDI and AUv3 MIDI

About

Vatanator Pro

Create music with this advanced multitrack sequencer. It features a built-in drum machine, sampler, and support for external instruments and effects. Compose instantly with full MIDI and MPE capabilities.

Highlights
  • Advanced multi-track music sequencer
  • Integrated drum machine and sampler
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) host
  • Full MIDI and MPE support
  • Real-time pattern editing
  • Song arranger and performance mode
Read full description

Vatanator Pro is an advanced multitrack music sequencer with integrated drum machine, sampler and functionality to load external AUv3 instruments and effects. Support full feature MIDI and MPE. Vatanator Pro is an all-in-one music composer for instant results. Features: • Audio Unit Extension Host • Advanced multi-track music sequencer • Edit and record patterns in real-time (with options for quantization, undo and more) • Integrated real-time drum sampler with individual effects and XY pad • On-screen piano keyboard for playing/recording AUv3 instruments • Isomorphic keyboard with option for selecting different scales • Full MIDI implementation (Bluetooth MIDI, Network MIDI and USB MIDI) • MIDI Learn implementation • Integrated drum repeater and instrument arpeggiator • MPE support • Parameter automation (AUv3 and internal parameters) • Song arranger • Performance Mode (use multi-touch to control patterns) • Drum kit editor (with ability for rearrange/remove/add samples) • Sample recorder and advanced sample slicer • Audiobus, Ableton Link, Ableton Live Set Export and Inter-App Audio support • Import Audio/MIDI files from Files app • Audio track support • Multi-channel mixer • Odd-time signature support • Option to autosave/load last project

Screenshots

tardigrain4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: tardigrain at $5.99 against Vatanator Pro's $24.99. tardigrain also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Vatanator Pro's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On ads 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

tardigrain costs $5.99 and Vatanator Pro $24.99 up front. Vatanator Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. tardigrain asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

tardigrain holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: tardigrain has 98 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of tardigrain's written reviews are positive against 44% of Vatanator Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

tardigrain ships an update every 2 months, Vatanator Pro fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
tardigrain versus Vatanator Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertardigrainVatanator Pro
Price$5.99 — better$24.99
Rating4.6 (98 ratings) — better3.7 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better44.4% of reviews
Number of ratings98 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#178 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthBACKPULLVER SOFTWARE LTD OOD

Customer experience

tardigrain

All ratings96 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral9.2%
Negative14.9%

Vatanator Pro

All ratings10 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral22.2%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

tardigrain

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Vatanator Pro

One-time1
  • Groove ChargeFree

Questions

Is tardigrain free?
tardigrain costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Vatanator Pro free?
Vatanator Pro costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, tardigrain or Vatanator Pro?
tardigrain is rated higher. tardigrain averages 4.6 out of 5 from 98 ratings, while Vatanator Pro averages 3.7 from 10 ratings.
Do tardigrain or Vatanator Pro have ads?
Neither tardigrain nor Vatanator Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, tardigrain or Vatanator Pro?
tardigrain ships an update every 2 months, and Vatanator Pro fortnightly. Most recently, tardigrain was updated on October 24, 2026 and Vatanator Pro on October 3, 2026.

Other comparisons