Robo Darbuka vs Bongos
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Robo Darbuka
Create and play custom rhythms with virtual percussion instruments. Explore a library of traditional beats or compose your own unique phrases. Practice tempo and timing with built-in metronome features.
- Custom rhythm creation
- Virtual Darbuka, Bendir, cymbals
- Library of popular rhythms
- Rhythm playback with metronome
- Bellydance rhythm variations
- Premium features: save, export, import
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Write a rhythm using the notes from the keyboard and Robo Darbuka will play it for you! The app includes a comprehensive set of popular rhythms as well. You may pick a rhythm from the list and play it along with Bendir, cymbals, or clap sounds. You can also use the claps as a metronome for practicing the tempo when you play. The app can not only play the selected traditional rhythms, useful for listen and practice, but also has the "Robo" function which allows the users to write their own Darbuka phrases or rhythms. The Robo function uses a simplified and intuitive writing music system, based on the names of the Darbuka strokes. The app also simulates virtual Darbuka, Bendir, and cymbals. So you can practice playing the rhythms when you don't have a real instrument with you. The rhythm selection list of this app has the "percussionist way" by default, but you can listen the "bellydance way" where there is the "Variation" label next to the rhythm. The premium version enables the rhythm save, paste, export, import, and save to audio file features. It unlocks all rhythms and exercises, and removes all ads from the app. The in-app purchase for accessing the premium version is a single-time payment which never expires.
Bongos
This app provides a realistic finger bongo pad experience with high-quality sounds. Practice along to songs, customize bongo positions, and utilize built-in metronome and recording features for jam sessions and lessons.
- Realistic finger bongo pad
- High-quality sound selection
- Customizable bongo positions
- Built-in metronome (30-300 BPM)
- Recording and loop functions
- Practice along to songs
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***** This App is a Real Finger Bongo Pad. ***** You can practice according to the Song. ***** Ideal for Jam Sessions with other Instruments. ***** Suitable for Jam Sessions and Lessons. ***** Real High Quality Sound. [Simple Bongos] * Simple Bongo Pads with No Delay. [Sound Selection & Custom Bongo Positions] * Long Press to Select and set Sound. (After selecting the sound, push the selected Bongo again, it will be changed) * Available in All Bongo Positions. [Color] * Abundant Color Variations. [Metronome] * BPM(30〜300) [Rec] * Includes Recording, Loop and Metronome functions. * Suitable for Jam Sessions and Lessons. [List of Bongo Sounds] * Real High Quality Sound. [Bongo 1,Bongo 2,Bongo 3,Bongo 4,Bongo 5,Bongo 6,Bongo 7,Bongo 8,Bongo 9,Bongo 10,Bongo 11,Bongo 12,Bongo 13,Bongo 14,Bongo 15,Bongo 16,Bongo 17,Bongo 18,Bongo 19,Bongo 20,Bongo 21,Bongo 22,Bongo 23,Bongo 24,Bongo 25,Bongo 26,Bongo 27,Bongo 28,Bongo 29,Bongo 30,Bongo 31,Bongo 32,Bongo 33,Bongo 34,Bongo 35,Bongo 36,Bongo 37,Bongo 38,Bongo 39,Bongo 40,Bongo 41,Bongo 42,Bongo 43,Bongo 44,Bongo 45,Bongo 46,Bongo 47,Bongo 48,Bongo 49,Bongo 50,Bongo 51,Bongo 52,Bongo 53,Bongo 54,Bongo 55,Bongo 56,Bongo 57,Bongo 58,Bongo 59,Bongo 60,Bongo 61,Bongo 62,Bongo 63,WoodStick,Dog]
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Robo Darbuka at 80% against Bongos's 0%. Bongos's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.1 vs 3.7). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Robo Darbuka sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Bongos asks for nothing beyond the download.
Bongos holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bongos has 36 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of Robo Darbuka's written reviews are positive against 0% of Bongos's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Robo Darbuka ships an update every 6 months, Bongos fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Robo Darbuka | Bongos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) | 4.1 (36 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 36 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 577 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bita Sobhani | Satomi Uchida |
Customer experience
Robo Darbuka
Bongos
In-app purchases
Robo Darbuka
- Premium$12.99
Bongos
No in-app purchases









