Comparison

Xequence AU | Pads vs GlitchStep

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

Head to head
About

Xequence AU | Pads

This app provides an expressive and editable drum pad surface for music production within AUv3 hosts. It offers customizable layouts, velocity emulation, and controller ribbons, but requires a separate host app to function and does not produce sound on its own.

Highlights
  • Playable, editable drum pads
  • 40+ factory drum maps
  • Customizable map creation
  • Adjustable map size (1x1 to 8x8)
  • Velocity emulation
  • Configurable pad colors and MIDI channels
  • Controller ribbons with special modes
Features
Read full description

IMPORTANT: This app is targeted at music production enthusiasts and requires an AUv3 Audio Unit Host to run! It does not do ANYTHING on its own! Also note that this app does not make any sound, it is a controller for other apps that do! Xequence AU | Pads is an expressive and fully editable (drum) pad surface for use inside AU (Audio Unit) hosts like AUM, Cubasis, apeMatrix, etc. It features the same, widely acclaimed pad editor that users of Xequence, our advanced MIDI workstation, have grown to love. HIGHLIGHTS: - Very playable, fully editable drum pads - Comes with 40+ factory drum maps for popular apps / hardware - Custom maps can be created and saved as user presets - Freely adjustable map size, from 1 x 1 all the way to 8 x 8 (64 pads) and anything in between - "Glide" mode for triggering pads by sliding between them - Velocity emulation (via tap position, several modes and curves to choose from) - Configurable global color and MIDI channel - Each pad can also be assigned its own color and/or MIDI channel - "Zoom to pad" feature to make any single pad fullscreen temporarily for more expressive playing - Automatically adapts to nearly any plugin window size or aspect ratio - Extremely fast and light on resources - Unlimited instances - Very robust MIDI and touch implementation, copes easily with aggressive playing styles - Full support for AU presets (and state saving / restoration) in the host CONTROLLERS: - Any number of MIDI CCs (controllers) can be freely configured and shown as touch ribbons next to the pads - A number of standard controller numbers (such as 74 = Cutoff, 7 = Volume etc.) are included and can be set with a single tap SPECIAL CONTROLLER MODES: The following special modes can be set per controller: - DEVICE ROTATION - controller moves according to device rotation - GATE - controller can be set to a default position, and then tapped anywhere to toggle it to that position and back (think "Trance gates") Please report any issues via our website, we provide quick and comprehensive support!

About

GlitchStep

This music app is a monophonic 16-step MIDI sequencer and AUv3 MIDI processor extension. It allows for real-time sequence rearrangement, song building with playlists, and dynamic performance variations. Integrate it with your favorite AUv3 hosts for enhanced music production.

Highlights
  • 16-step monophonic sequencer
  • AUv3 MIDI processor extension
  • Real-time sequence rearrangement
  • Pattern and slice playlists
  • Glitch effects with XY pad
  • Extensive scale options
  • Customizable sequence controls
Features
Read full description

Unleash Your Creativity with GlitchStep GlitchStep is a cutting-edge monophonic 16-step, performance-oriented sequencer and AUv3 MIDI processor extension. Dive into a world of musical possibilities as you play with your sequence and perform dynamic, captivating variations. Next-Level Sequence Manipulation: Inspired by GlitchCore, GlitchStep employs a slice grid for real-time sequence rearrangement. Both patterns and slices can be compiled into playlists, allowing you to build and modify songs on-the-fly for live performance or studio sessions. Effortless Integration: Load GlitchStep as an AUv3 MIDI Processor/MIDI FX in your favorite AUv3 hosts like AUM, Logic, Loopy Pro, Drambo, and more. Note: Standalone use is not supported. Features to Elevate Your Music: - 16 Steps - 8 Patterns - Unlimited Pattern Playlist Entries - Slice Grid with Drawing Mode - 8 Slice Patterns - Unlimited Slice Pattern Playlist Entries - Glitch Your Sequence with XY Pad and Sliders - Aggressive Glitch Capabilities - Extensive Scale Options - Customizable Start and End Sequence Positions - Control Sequence Direction - Global Sequence Rate Adjustments - Individual Pattern Rates - Pattern Note Slides - Swing - Randomize, Shift, Shuffle, Copy/Paste, and Initialize Patterns - Randomization Thresholds - Selective Randomization for Notes, Gates, Velocity, and Probability - Randomize, Shift, Copy/Paste, and Initialize Slices - Scale Key Adjustment - Minimum Octave and Octave Range Settings - 16 Themes Transform your music production with GlitchStep. Whether you're looking to add subtle variations or go all-in on aggressive glitches, this app has you covered.

Screenshots

Xequence AU | Pads4 screens
GlitchStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Xequence AU | Pads at $2.99 against GlitchStep's $9.99. Xequence AU | Pads also leads on iOS requirement (14.2 vs 17.2). GlitchStep's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (89% 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

Xequence AU | Pads costs $2.99 and GlitchStep $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GlitchStep holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Xequence AU | Pads's written reviews are positive against 89% of GlitchStep's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Xequence AU | Pads ships an update every 7 months, GlitchStep every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Xequence AU | Pads versus GlitchStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXequence AU | PadsGlitchStep
Price$2.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.6 (14 ratings)4.9 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1419 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.2 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander EweringAlex Matheu

Customer experience

Xequence AU | Pads

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%

GlitchStep

All ratings19 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

In-app purchases

None

Xequence AU | Pads

No in-app purchases

None

GlitchStep

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Xequence AU | Pads free?
Xequence AU | Pads costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is GlitchStep free?
GlitchStep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Xequence AU | Pads or GlitchStep?
GlitchStep is rated higher. Xequence AU | Pads averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while GlitchStep averages 4.9 from 19 ratings.
Do Xequence AU | Pads or GlitchStep have ads?
Neither Xequence AU | Pads nor GlitchStep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Xequence AU | Pads or GlitchStep?
Xequence AU | Pads ships an update every 7 months, and GlitchStep every 3 days. Most recently, Xequence AU | Pads was updated on November 2, 2026 and GlitchStep on November 4, 2026.

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