STAELLA vs 531sampler
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
STAELLA
Create dynamic, real-time music visualizations with customizable effects. Import audio from various sources, record your creations, and share them on social media. Offers advanced control with MIDI integration and keyboard shortcuts.
- Real-time audio-reactive visuals
- Customizable effects and colors
- Import music from playlists, mic, or simulation
- One-touch video recording
- MIDI device integration
- Keyboard shortcuts for control
- Gesture controls
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Real-time music visualization. 30 Visuals × 78 Shapes — every play, a different piece. ■ Design the visuals from a free combination 4 categories with 30 Visuals and 78 Shapes, Knobs, Text, backgrounds, 10 Screen Effects and 10 Wallpaper Blends. Layer them into anything from a club-style spectrum to an ambient nebula. Visuals and Shapes switch on the beat of the song. On HDR displays, glows and gradients render with brightness beyond SDR. ■ Preset sharing Save the look you made as a preset and share it with a code or a link. ■ Two recording modes for different intents Recording keeps every knob move and Visual switch you make. Export locks the UI so a stable, hands-off render finishes on its own. Before exporting, you can also edit the show along the flow of the song, like in a video editor. Both hide the UI, support up to 4K with HDR export, and can auto-record a full song in Playlist mode. ■ Four audio sources Files (music on device; iOS also imports from the iTunes library) Microphone (low-latency input) Simulation (visuals keep moving with no source) AUv3 (visualize plugin audio) ▸ Time-synced lyrics Songs available in a supported lyric database can display lyrics in time with the music. Song title and artist name too. You can also show lyrics you typed yourself. ▸ External display output (AirPlay / HDMI adapters) Connect a TV or projector via iOS Screen Mirroring (AirPlay) or an HDMI adapter. The visuals go full screen while the UI stays on your device. ■ Play with whatever's in your hand Touch and flick iPad + Magic Keyboard shortcuts MIDI controllers (long-press any knob to assign, BLE MIDI supported) Gamepad (D-pad, buttons, sticks) ■ Where to use it · VJ sets at clubs, live shows and streams · Music videos and lyric videos for social · Screen visuals for a room or a party ■ Notes · DRM-protected tracks (e.g. Apple Music) can't be played. · For issues or requests, reach out via in-app feedback or support. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
531sampler
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Capture a sound the moment inspiration strikes, shape it, and start playing. 531sampler is a simple, hands-on loop sampler built around 12 pads and a Chaos FX surface. Record from the microphone or bring in audio from 531player, then trim, loop, chop, rearrange, and perform without getting lost in complicated menus. KEY FEATURES • 12 playable sample pads • Record samples up to 45 seconds • Import audio from 531player • Independent TRIM and LOOP ranges • Pitch, time, reverse, volume, pan, and noise reduction • CHOP with equal division or transient-based AUTO detection • Rearrange slices, remove unwanted parts, rebuild a pad, or assign slices across pads • Chaos FX with delay, filter, reverb, and noise • LOOP, SELECT, FREEZE, and ALL STOP performance controls • Record your performance with REC MIX • Save multiple projects on your device Designed for quick ideas, spontaneous sound experiments, and live play. No account, ads, analytics, or tracking. Your recordings and projects remain on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: STAELLA at Free against 531sampler's $2.99. STAELLA also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 531sampler's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ads (none vs shown).
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
STAELLA is free to download; 531sampler costs $2.99 up front. STAELLA sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. 531sampler asks for nothing beyond the download.
STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, 531sampler every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.
| Parameter | STAELLA | 531sampler |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 3.9 (1.7K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 44.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 256 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | monocro | AKIHIKO YOSHIDA |
Bugs and requests
STAELLA
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes on launch
- Music playback issues and controls not working
- Inability to import user's own music files
- Exported videos have poor quality and audio sync issues
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for streaming services
- Improve export and download options
- Expand customization and control over visuals
- Implement portrait mode and different aspect ratios
- Add ability to layer and blend multiple visuals
531sampler
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
STAELLA
- STAELLA Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- STAELLA Premium$49.991 Year
- Toolkit pro$9.99
- STELLA$9.99
- TERRA$9.99
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- MACHINA$9.99
- NEX$9.99
531sampler
No in-app purchases









