CR vs Pulsar
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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 ;-)
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
CR costs $5.99 and Pulsar $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
CR ships an update every 7 months, Pulsar every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | CR | Pulsar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.0 (9 ratings) | 4.3 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | David Rochaix | Dmytro Kiro |
Customer experience
CR
Pulsar
In-app purchases
CR
No in-app purchases
Pulsar
No in-app purchases









