# Factory vs NoteBeat

The clearest difference is update cadence: NoteBeat at every 3 days against Factory's every 4 months. NoteBeat also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (100% vs 81%). Factory's advantage is ratings volume (487 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Factory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and NoteBeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Factory against 5.0 for NoteBeat. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Factory has 487 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Factory's written reviews are positive against 100% of NoteBeat's.

Factory ships an update every 4 months, NoteBeat every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Factory | NoteBeat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (487 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/factory-modular-synthesizer/id1458743434/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebeat/id6760743129/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **487** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 81.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 347 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) | [剑 陈](https://appshunter.io/developer/327026918) |

## What reviewers say

### Factory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/factory-modular-synthesizer/id1458743434)

Create complex and organic sounds with a powerful modular synthesizer. Explore a vast array of synthesis types, a deep modulation matrix, and dynamic signal flow. Easily find and morph between sounds with a built-in browser and crossfader.

**Highlights:** Modular synthesis with extensive modulation matrix, Multiple oscillator engines and synthesis types, Dynamic signal flow with 3-FX chain, Morph crossfader for sound transformation, Preset browser with tagging and rating, Sequencers, Arpeggiator, and Quantizer

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Factory Full Version | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful synth engine
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
- 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
- 💡 Innovative modulation matrix
- 🎶 Inspiring and unique presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with other apps
- 🖥️ Pixelated interface on high-res displays
- 🔇 Note-sticking problems

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly in DAW projects
- CC assignment issues causing controls to freeze

**Requested features**

- Ability to modulate morph slider
- Option to modulate effects parameters individually
- Arpeggiator with retrigger on key press
- Better integration with GarageBand and other DAWs


### NoteBeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebeat/id6760743129)

Create music with this intuitive beat-making app. It offers dual audio track playback, an 88-key piano sound, and precise note and rhythm input. Preview your arrangements and export them as m4a audio files.

**Highlights:** Dual audio track playback, 88-key piano sound, Precise note and rhythm input, Automatic arrangement preview, M4a audio export

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NoteBeat | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Factory free?

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

### Is NoteBeat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Factory or NoteBeat?

NoteBeat is rated higher. Factory averages 4.9 out of 5 from 487 ratings, while NoteBeat averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Factory or NoteBeat have ads?

Neither Factory nor NoteBeat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Factory or NoteBeat?

Factory ships an update every 4 months, and NoteBeat every 3 days. Most recently, Factory was updated on October 5, 2026 and NoteBeat on October 8, 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.*