Comparison

KDJ vs SquareBeat

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

Head to head
About

KDJ

Create music on your smartphone with a portable audio workstation. Compose original songs or mix existing tracks using over 400 instruments and 200 preset samples. Ideal for beginners and on-the-go musicians.

Highlights
  • Compose music in 5 minutes
  • Over 200 preset tracks
  • Over 400 instruments
  • Sequencer, Synthesizer, Sampler modes
  • Song Mode for arrangement
  • Personal DJ machine functionality
Features
Read full description

Introducing the smartphone app of the world’s first portable audio workstation, the “KDJ-ONE”! Compose a song in just 5 minutes on your smartphone device! Compose your own music, or mix existing tracks and use it as your own personal “DJ Machine”. Utilize your imagination and ideas to create your own music as if you were in a professional studio. Boasting a selection of more than 200 preset tracks and over 400 instruments to choose from, you can compose your own music without a musical background. Create a short melody in 5 minutes, or use the mute function and song mode to mix and easily play music like a DJ. ◆Recommended For:◆ Beginners looking to create their own music! People who want to create music on the go! On tour, vacation… and more! People creating music for games and performances! People who want to experience the hardware version of the KDJ-ONE! ◆Functions: Preset Samples: Over 200 tracks! Preset Instruments & Sounds: Over 400 varieties! Modes: Sequencer (Insert different instruments and sounds into your composition) Synthesizer (Synthesize waveforms to form a timbre) Sampler (Record and modify sounds from external audio inputs) Song Mode (Arrange and playback your composition) ◆Languages: Japanese, English ◆Compatibility iOS 10.0 or later ◆URL KDJ-ONE Official Site: http://www.kdj-one.com This app is based on the hardware version of the “KDJ-ONE” and may differ with regards to development and functions.

About

SquareBeat

Create music by building patterns with samples and AUv3 plugins. Arrange these patterns into songs, import your own sounds, and mix tracks. Features a text-based tracker GUI for rapid development, with all core functionality free except for WAV file export.

Highlights
  • Sequence and manipulate audio samples
  • Mix tracks
  • Use AUv3 audio unit instruments
  • Use AUv3 effects on effect busses
  • Connect with other apps via Audiobus
  • Export and share songs
Read full description

SquareBeat is a music sequencer. Build patterns out of samples and AUv3 plugins, and build songs out of patterns. Import your own samples to make new sounds. Develop songs rapidly with the text based tracker GUI. All functionality is free except wav file export. • Sequence and manipulate audio samples. • Mix tracks. • Use AUv3 audio unit instruments. • Use AUv3 effects on effect busses. • Connect with other apps with Audiobus. • Export and share your song.

Screenshots

KDJ4 screens
SquareBeat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KDJ at none against SquareBeat's 1. KDJ also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). SquareBeat's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (80% vs 67%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. SquareBeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KDJ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for KDJ against 4.9 for SquareBeat. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 8 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of KDJ's written reviews are positive against 80% of SquareBeat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KDJ ships an update every 3 months, SquareBeat every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
KDJ versus SquareBeat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKDJSquareBeat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17 ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB114 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCyberStep, Inc.James Navarro

Customer experience

KDJ

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral22.2%
Negative11.1%

SquareBeat

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

KDJ

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

SquareBeat

One-time1
  • SquareBeat Full Version$12.99

Questions

Is KDJ free?
KDJ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SquareBeat free?
SquareBeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, KDJ or SquareBeat?
SquareBeat is rated higher. KDJ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while SquareBeat averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do KDJ or SquareBeat have ads?
Neither KDJ nor SquareBeat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KDJ or SquareBeat?
KDJ ships an update every 3 months, and SquareBeat every 3 days. Most recently, KDJ was updated on October 4, 2026 and SquareBeat on October 7, 2026.

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