Comparison

Riffer vs Block Dashboard

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

Head to head
About

Riffer

This app generates random MIDI patterns and melodies for synths, samplers, and drum machines. Explore scales, complexity, and playback options to create unique musical ideas. Save your favorite riffs and use Infinity mode for endless generation.

Highlights
  • Random pattern and melody generation
  • Supports software and hardware MIDI devices
  • Customizable scales, complexity, and steps
  • Playback motion and transpose controls
  • Infinity mode for endless generation
  • MIDI output over WiFi or cable
  • Ableton Link sync
Read full description

Riffer is a creative MIDI sequencer that generates random patterns and melodies for you. Designed to feed any Synth, Sampler, Drum Machine and anything that accepts MIDI signal both software and hardware. You can choose scales, complexity, steps, start and end points, playback motion, set pitch, transpose, measures and many more. Generate fresh ideas, sequences, melodies, riffs and musical patterns. Turn them into something of your own, or let it run endlessly using the Infinity mode. Riffer is built both for studio and live performance. The app includes a huge variety of scales, from western to eastern and you can save your favorite Riffs for quick access. Featuring MIDI output support over WiFi or MIDI cable. Riffer also supports Ableton Link for tight sync between apps on the same network.

About

Block Dashboard

Configure ROLI Blocks in real-time without a computer. Adjust sensitivity, MIDI channels, and modes for various ROLI Block models. Run alongside other music apps for seamless control.

Highlights
  • Real-time configuration
  • No computer needed
  • Multi-device support
  • Run with other music apps
  • MPE/Single/Multi mode support
  • MIDI channel changes
  • Sensitivity configuration
Features
Read full description

Block Dashboard lets you make realtime configuration changes of your ROLI blocks without the need of a computer. Features: - Support ROLI Lightpad Block M, ROLI Lightpad Block and ROLI Seaboard block - Support multi connected devices at the same - Run in parallel with other music applications (lets you control the settings of your blocks while playing software synths) - Support MPE/Single/Multi mode - Support changes of midi channel - Support configuration of the sensitivity of each dimension (strike, press, glide, slide, lift) - Support Scale and Chord modes - For ROLI Lightpad block only: support loading of the default littlefoot note program, choice of the block mode (5x5, 4x4, 3x3, 2x2 grid). Note: It does not currently support presets. Closing the application will reset to default parameters.

Screenshots

Riffer4 screens
Block Dashboard2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Riffer at 4.1 against Block Dashboard's 2.9. Riffer also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 8 months) and review sentiment (65% vs 51%). Block Dashboard's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $9.99). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Riffer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Riffer has 87 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Riffer's written reviews are positive against 51% of Block Dashboard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Riffer ships an update every 6 weeks, Block Dashboard every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Riffer versus Block Dashboard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRifferBlock Dashboard
Price$9.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.1 (87 ratings) — better2.9 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews64.8% of reviews — better51.3% of reviews
Number of ratings87 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better12.2
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAUDIOMODERNChristophe Tornieri

Customer experience

Riffer

All ratings87 ratings
Positive75.9%
Neutral4.6%
Negative19.5%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive64.8%
Neutral8.8%
Negative26.4%

Block Dashboard

All ratings14 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive51.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative48.7%

In-app purchases

None

Riffer

No in-app purchases

None

Block Dashboard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Riffer free?
Riffer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Block Dashboard free?
Block Dashboard costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Riffer or Block Dashboard?
Riffer is rated higher. Riffer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while Block Dashboard averages 2.9 from 14 ratings.
Do Riffer or Block Dashboard have ads?
Neither Riffer nor Block Dashboard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Riffer or Block Dashboard?
Riffer ships an update every 6 weeks, and Block Dashboard every 8 months. Most recently, Riffer was updated on October 14, 2026 and Block Dashboard on October 11, 2026.

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