Comparison

Koala Sampler vs AudioKit Synth One J6

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

Head to head
About

Koala Sampler

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
Read full description

Koala is the ultimate pocket-sized sampler. Record anything with your phone's mic or load your own sounds. Use Koala to create beats with those samples, add effects and create a track! Koala's super intuitive interface helps you make a track in a flash - there is no brake pedal. You can also resample the output of the app back into the input, through the effects, so the sonic possibilities are endless. Koala's design focuses totally on making the music-making process instant, keeping you in the flow and keeping it fun, not getting bogged down by pages of parameters and micro-editing. "Been putting that $4 koala sampler to good use lately. Undeniably great tool that puts some of these expensive beat boxes to shame. A must cop." -- flying lotus, twitter * Record up to 64 different samples with your mic * Transform your voice or any other sound with 16 superb built-in fx * Load your own samples * Choose from one of 250 built-in sounds * Resample the output of the app back into a new sample * Export loops or entire tracks as professional quality WAV files * Direct export to Ableton Live Set * Copy/paste or merge sequences just by dragging them * Create beats with the high-resolution sequencer * Import samples from the Files app or even from videos * Keyboard mode lets you play chromatically or one of 9 scales * Quantize, add swing to get the right feel * Normal/One-shot/Loop/Reverse playback of samples * 6 Choke groups * Attack, release and tone adjustable on each sample * Mute/Solo controls and note repeat * Add any (or all) of the 16 effects to the entire mix * AUv3 compatible - use in GarageBand, Logic, Cubasis etc etc * MIDI controllable - play your samples on a keyboard, map the effects to knobs * Jam with others over WiFi with Ableton Link * Free copy of Ableton Live Lite included * AudioShare compatible * Use AI to separate samples into individual instruments (drums, bass, vocals and other) * Set your own background image and choose from a growing list of background visual FX 8 Built-in Microphone FX: * More Bass * More Treble * Fuzz * Robot * Reverb * Octave up * Octave down * Synthesizer 16 Built-in DJ Mix FX: * Bit-crusher * Pitch-shift * Comb filter * Ring modulator * Reverb * Stutter * Gate * Resonant High/Low Pass Filters * Cutter * Reverse * Dub * Tempo Delay * Talkbox * VibroFlange * Dirty * Compressor Features included in SAMURAI In-App Purchase * Pro-quality Timestretch (5 modes: Modern, Retro, Beats, Re-pitch and Cyclic) * Piano roll editor * Auto-chop (auto, equal, and lazy chop) * 3 Band EQ * Pocket operator sync out * Quokka Synth - powerhouse polyphonic synthesizer * MIDI Out - control external MIDI hardware with Koala's sequencer * Chopper - multimodal sample chopping instrument Features included in MIXER In-App Purchase * Mix your beats professionally with a 4 channel mixer + main bus * Route any sample to any channel * Mute/solo, faders and accurate metering on every channel * 5 effect slots per channel * 29 high-quality effects - compressors, filters, phasers and more, with new effects to come * Host AUv3 plugins - both audio effects and instruments

About

AudioKit Synth One J6

This app offers a professional-quality virtual analog synthesizer inspired by classic hardware. It provides a vast library of presets, real-time effects control, and a user-friendly interface for both beginners and experienced musicians. It can be used as a standalone instrument or as an AUv3 plugin.

Highlights
  • 400+ Presets
  • Dual Assignable Touch Pads
  • Real-time FX Control
  • 3 LFOs with extensive modulation
  • MIDI Keyboard and MIDI Learn support
  • Classic Step Sequencer
  • AUv3 Plugin support
Features
Read full description

SYNTH ONE J6 (Inspired by Juno-6 & Jupiter series*) Pro Quality. Actually Cool. And Yes, Totally Free. Powered by ethical machine learning, Synth One J6 delivers lush pads, deep basses, classic keys, and vibrant leads that feel truly alive. No ads. No subscriptions. No in-app purchases (unless you want to leave a tip). Just pure, expressive sound designed for creators of every level. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT? Inspired by legendary synths like the Juno, Jupiter, and DeepMind series. It's not a clone. It's a new classic: built from the ground up with a custom sound engine, powered by ethical machine learning trained on vintage analog gear. You’ll hear the warmth, the punch, the vibe. Synth One J6 isn't an app, it's a creative instrument inspired by iconic analog synthesizers EASY TO USE The interface is intuitive and welcoming. Each function has a dedicated slider or knob. Simple for beginners and deep enough for pros. BONUS Enter your email during onboarding and get DMT CYMATICS Bank (120+ Bonus Presets) for over 520+ Presets total! INSTANT INSPIRATION With over 400+ presets, a classic step sequencer, dual arpeggiators, analog-style filters, tape delay, reverb, chorus, 3 LFOs, and real-time FX control, your creativity will never hit a wall. FEATURES: ∙ 400+ Presets and Features Included, ∙ Pro Version Included, Nothing to Buy! ∙ Lush, Expressive Vintage Synthesizer Sound ∙ Dual Assignable Touch Pads, manipulate FX in real time! ∙ FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Chorus, Crush, and more. ∙ 3 LFOs, over 60+ possible destinations, almost everything can be modulated! LFOs can even modify other LFOs ∙ Control it with a MIDI Keyboard, MIDI Learn to map your controls to the app ∙ Classic Arpeggiator! Hardware-style Arp, with extra features ∙ Vintage-style Step Sequencer ∙ ADSR for Amp & Filter Envelope! ∙ Jupiter Inspired, Deep Growling Filter ∙ Created by volunteers to support music education and access for all ∙ Works as a Plug-in Instrument in GarageBand and Logic for iPad Use as an Audio Unit (AUv3) Plug-in with iPAD Logic, GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and MORE! WORKS BY ITSELF ∙ “RECORD” button: Easily record your synth and sound fx, then export wav file No other apps needed! PERFECT FOR CLASSROOMS AND... STUDIOS Synth One J6 was built for musicians of all levels, with an interface that is intuitive for beginners and deep enough for pros. Especially great for schools and students who may not have access to paid apps. BUILT BY MUSICIANS, SHARED WITH THE WORLD Synth One J6 is more than just another synth app. Its the follow-up to AudioKit Synth One, trusted by musicians, producers, and schools around the world with millions of downloads. MADE FOR MUSIC. MADE FOR EVERYONE. Music should be for everyone. That is why Synth One J6 is truly free. No fees. No gimmicks. Just a beautiful synth that you can start using right now. Please help us share it. Tell a teacher. Tell a student. Tell anyone who’s dreamed of experiencing a vintage synthesizer but lacked the opportunity. Because music belongs to everyone. LEARN THE EXCITING STORY: audiokitpro.com/synthonej6 * LEGAL NOTICES This app has no affiliation or endorsement from Roland Corporation. It is not a clone of the Juno-6, Juno-60, Juno-106, Jupiter-8, or any other synthesizer. While we were inspired by the sound and legacy of these iconic instruments, this is an original creation, built from the ground up. All product names, trademarks, and images mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used only to describe the inspiration behind this app and for purposes of reference. Their inclusion does not imply any association, affiliation, or endorsement. This project is free and was created solely to promote music creation and education. We sincerely respect the incredible work of Roland and other manufacturers in shaping music history.

Screenshots

Koala Sampler4 screens
AudioKit Synth One J64 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AudioKit Synth One J6 at Free against Koala Sampler's $4.99. Koala Sampler's advantage is chart position (#4 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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

AudioKit Synth One J6 is free to download; Koala Sampler costs $4.99 up front. Koala Sampler sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and AudioKit Synth One J6 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Koala Sampler against 4.9 for AudioKit Synth One J6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.4K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Koala Sampler's written reviews are positive against 94% of AudioKit Synth One J6's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Koala Sampler ships an update every 3 weeks, AudioKit Synth One J6 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Koala Sampler versus AudioKit Synth One J6: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKoala SamplerAudioKit Synth One J6
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (1.4K ratings)4.9 (2.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews93.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.4K2.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#4 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB98 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMazbox LimitedAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

Koala Sampler

All ratings1,396 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.0%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews592 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral4.4%
Negative7.4%

AudioKit Synth One J6

All ratings2,311 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.6%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews156 reviews
Positive93.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.5%

User reviews

Koala Sampler

From 1.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

AudioKit Synth One J6

From 2.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Amazingly inspirational
  • 👍 Awesome and free
  • 👍 Ridiculously good UI
  • 👍 Must have
  • 👍 Great for AUv3

Bugs and requests

Koala Sampler

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

AudioKit Synth One J6

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Koala Sampler

One-time8
  • Koala AUv3 Plugin$1.99
  • Ese-O's Sample Pack$2.99
  • Solar Studies Samplepack$2.99
Show 5 more
  • Soon Come Dub Sample Pack$2.99
  • Analog Astronaut Samplepack$2.99
  • Cirrus Cuts Sample Pack$2.99
  • Samurai Edition$3.99
  • Mixer$4.99
5 purchases

AudioKit Synth One J6

One-time5
  • Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$2.99
  • Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$4.99
  • Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$9.99
Show 2 more
  • Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$14.99
  • Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$19.99

Questions

Is Koala Sampler free?
Koala Sampler costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is AudioKit Synth One J6 free?
AudioKit Synth One J6 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Koala Sampler or AudioKit Synth One J6?
AudioKit Synth One J6 is rated higher. Koala Sampler averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while AudioKit Synth One J6 averages 4.9 from 2.3K ratings.
Do Koala Sampler or AudioKit Synth One J6 have ads?
Neither Koala Sampler nor AudioKit Synth One J6 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Koala Sampler or AudioKit Synth One J6?
Koala Sampler ships an update every 3 weeks, and AudioKit Synth One J6 every 2 weeks. Most recently, Koala Sampler was updated on September 22, 2026 and AudioKit Synth One J6 on September 23, 2026.

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