Comparison

CR vs Pulsar

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

Head to head
About

CR

Transform your device into a pocket beat-making companion with this app, inspired by the simplicity and raw heritage of eighties instruments. It offers a pure interface for creating rhythms, with extensive programming options and built-in effects.

Highlights
  • 13 original high-quality double-samples
  • 24 combinable preset patterns
  • 8 programmable patterns
  • Shuffle mode
  • Background audio playback
  • Audiobus V3, InterApp audio, AudioUnit, Midi, Bluetooth LE support
  • Built-in instrument and audio effects
Features
Read full description

Holding the simplicity of eighties instruments and carrying their raw heritage to you, it turns your device into a pocket beat making companion. I believe that designing a pure interface, simply displaying your machine without any distraction, was the best way to reflect the spirit of the period it was born. Warning ! CR-8000 is actually very easy to operate and to play with but still tricky to program. Please refer to corresponding documentation or just take the challenge ! Main characteristics : - 13 Original high quality double-samples - 24 Combinable preset patterns - 8 Programmable patterns - 8 Preset fill-ins - 4 Programmable fill-ins - 8 Arranger variations - 2 Rhythm memory registers - Shuffle mode (3/4 signature) - Separated voice section volumes - Gradual and programmable accentuation - Full machine state auto-save - Programs and selections auto-save - Background audio playback enabled - Audiobus V3 - InterApp audio - AudioUnit - Midi - Bluetooth LE Bonuses accessible in your device settings : - Unleash all-purpose LCD rather than only displaying the tempo - Alter the way the patterns are played simultaneously - Alternative « Rock » drum kit with integrated effects - Built-in instruments effects : « Stereo pan » and « Jungle tune » - Built-in audio effects : « Equalizer » and « Distortion » - Built-in global effects : « Delay » and « Reverb » - Mute any instrument - Prevent any instrument from being affected by accents - 4 Synchronized register auto-switching modes I hope you will enjoy it as much as I love it ;-)

About

Pulsar

This music app provides a virtual drum machine with 8 pads for improvising and playing along to built-in rhythm presets. It features real-time rhythm switching, tempo control, and various effects. It also supports Ableton Link and MIDI for seamless integration with other music software and hardware.

Highlights
  • 8-pad drum machine
  • Built-in rhythm presets
  • Real-time rhythm switching
  • Tempo and accent control
  • Drive, reverb, and filter effects
  • Ableton Link synchronization
  • MIDI In/Out support
  • AUv3 compatibility
Features
Read full description

Pulsar-ES is a sample-based drum machine inspired by the Estradin Pulsar. Start with 128 factory rhythms, 64 in bank A and 64 in bank B, play the eight-pad kit, and edit MIDI notes and velocities. In version 1.0.8, Random rhythm generates a new pattern in the current slot. Swing adjusts the timing from 0 to 100%. Shape the sound with filter, reverb, overdrive, delay, chorus and compression. Save edited rhythms as separate user patterns; the factory patterns remain available. Open LINK for tempo-sync settings with compatible peers. Start/stop synchronization is a separate setting. With a MIDI output selected and a compatible route configured, send pattern notes to another instrument. In a plug-in host, routing depends on the host. For iPhone and iPad: standalone app and AUv3. Hosting, MIDI and Link features require the corresponding compatible setup.

Screenshots

CR4 screens
Pulsar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pulsar at every 3 weeks against CR's every 7 months. Pulsar also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and price ($4.99 vs $5.99). CR's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 67%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

CR costs $5.99 and Pulsar $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pulsar holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 7 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of CR's written reviews are positive against 67% of Pulsar's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CR ships an update every 7 months, Pulsar every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CR versus Pulsar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCRPulsar
Price$5.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.0 (9 ratings)4.3 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings9 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid RochaixDmytro Kiro

Customer experience

CR

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Pulsar

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

CR

No in-app purchases

None

Pulsar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CR free?
CR costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pulsar free?
Pulsar costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CR or Pulsar?
Pulsar is rated higher. CR averages 4.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Pulsar averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.
Do CR or Pulsar have ads?
Neither CR nor Pulsar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CR or Pulsar?
CR ships an update every 7 months, and Pulsar every 3 weeks. Most recently, CR was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pulsar on November 3, 2026.

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