# Koala Sampler vs Dawnbeat

The clearest difference is price: Dawnbeat at Free against Koala Sampler's $4.99. Koala Sampler's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (88% vs 71%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Dawnbeat is free to download; Koala Sampler costs $4.99 up front. Koala Sampler sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Dawnbeat 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. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Koala Sampler has 1.4K ratings behind it against 112, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Koala Sampler's written reviews are positive against 71% of Dawnbeat's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Koala Sampler | Dawnbeat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koala-sampler-beat-maker/id1449584007/reviews)** | [4.2 (112 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawnbeat-sampler/id6443720584/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.4K** | 112 |
| Positive reviews | **88.3% of reviews** | 70.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 59 MB | 504 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mazbox Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/329604853) | [Luis Rivas](https://appshunter.io/developer/599309613) |

## What reviewers say

### Koala Sampler

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Paid · Music, #90 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


### Dawnbeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawnbeat-sampler/id6443720584)

This app lets you create music by sampling and sequencing audio. It offers advanced features like multi-touch pads, an always-recording buffer, and flexible routing for creative sound manipulation. Integrate with external MIDI devices and apply a wide range of built-in and AUv3 effects.

**Highlights:** Multi-touch and draggable pads, Always-recording buffer (Memorizer), Advanced loop manipulation (BRIIKS), Flexible mixer with assignable busses, Polyphonic pads for chords, MIDI IN/OUT for external control, AUv3 effects and instrument support, Auto-slicer for audio chopping

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dawn Beat Complete | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Koala Sampler free?

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

### Is Dawnbeat free?

Dawnbeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Koala Sampler or Dawnbeat?

Koala Sampler is rated higher. Koala Sampler averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while Dawnbeat averages 4.2 from 112 ratings.

### Do Koala Sampler or Dawnbeat have ads?

Neither Koala Sampler nor Dawnbeat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Koala Sampler or Dawnbeat?

Koala Sampler ships an update every 3 weeks, and Dawnbeat every 3 weeks. Most recently, Koala Sampler was updated on September 25, 2026 and Dawnbeat on September 28, 2026.

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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.*