# Koala Sampler vs Ableton Note

The clearest difference is rating: Koala Sampler at 4.8 against Ableton Note's 4.2. Koala Sampler also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 73%) and price ($4.99 vs $6.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Koala Sampler costs $4.99 and Ableton Note $6.99 up front. Koala Sampler sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Ableton Note sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Koala Sampler holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.4K and 676 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Koala Sampler's written reviews are positive against 73% of Ableton Note's.

Koala Sampler ships an update every 3 weeks, Ableton Note monthly. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Koala Sampler | Ableton Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koala-sampler-beat-maker/id1449584007/reviews)** | [4.2 (676 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ableton-note/id1633243177/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.4K** | 676 |
| Positive reviews | **88.2% of reviews** | 72.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | #8 |
| Size | 59 MB | 1007 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mazbox Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/329604853) | [Ableton AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/1228664884) |

## What reviewers say

### Koala Sampler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koala-sampler-beat-maker/id1449584007)

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Paid · Music, #100 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app allows you to record sounds with your phone's microphone, transform them with effects, and create beats and tracks. Its intuitive interface focuses on a fast and fun music-making process.

**Highlights:** Record up to 64 samples with mic, Apply 16 built-in effects, Load and use own samples, Create beats with high-resolution sequencer, Export loops and tracks as WAV, AI sample separation, AUv3 and MIDI compatibility

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Koala AUv3 Plugin | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ese-O's Sample Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Solar Studies Samplepack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Soon Come Dub Sample Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Analog Astronaut Samplepack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cirrus Cuts Sample Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Samurai Edition | $3.99 | one-time |
| Mixer | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Smooth workflow and fast performance
- 💡 Powerful sampling and sequencing capabilities
- 🔥 Excellent value for the price
- 🎨 Creative and inspiring sound design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔇 Limited effects and sound manipulation options
- 📁 Difficulty managing and organizing samples/projects
- 🎚️ Lack of advanced MIDI mapping and control options
- 🔍 Unclear or confusing UI elements in certain areas

**Reported bugs**

- Samples not loading or disappearing after app updates
- Sequencer timing and quantization issues
- Crashes when using certain features or with large projects

**Requested features**

- Ability to record and edit MIDI sequences
- More comprehensive effects and sound processing tools
- Improved sample management and organization features
- Support for external MIDI controllers and hardware integration
- Customizable color schemes and UI themes


### Ableton Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ableton-note/id1633243177)

**Currently charting:** #8 Top Paid · Music, #106 Top Paid (US App Store)

Create musical ideas with curated sounds and effects. Build beats, melodies, and sample your surroundings. Seamlessly transfer your projects to Ableton Live for further development.

**Highlights:** Create beats and melodies, Sample sounds with phone microphone, MIDI Editor for sequencing, Transfer projects to Ableton Live, 76 Drum Sampler kits, 317 synth sounds

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drift In-App Purchase | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Intuitive workflow
- 🎨 Great sound quality
- 🤝 Seamless Ableton Live integration
- 💰 Affordable price
- 🔥 Inspiring for creativity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔇 No audio track support
- 🎹 Limited note editing capabilities
- ⏱️ Bluetooth latency issues
- 🔢 Restricted to 4/4 time signature
- 🔧 Lacking some advanced features

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional loss of unsaved work
- Freezing issues when editing clips

**Requested features**

- Audio track support
- Expanded note editing tools
- Midi controller support
- More effects and synth options
- Time signature flexibility


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Koala Sampler free?

Koala Sampler costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Ableton Note free?

Ableton Note costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Koala Sampler or Ableton Note?

Koala Sampler is rated higher. Koala Sampler averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while Ableton Note averages 4.2 from 676 ratings.

### Do Koala Sampler or Ableton Note have ads?

Neither Koala Sampler nor Ableton Note shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Koala Sampler or Ableton Note?

Koala Sampler ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ableton Note monthly. Most recently, Koala Sampler was updated on September 22, 2026 and Ableton Note on September 22, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Koala Sampler or Ableton Note?

Koala Sampler currently peaks at #7 in the App Store charts, and Ableton Note at #8. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*