Comparison

Xequence 2 vs PatternBud

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

Head to head
About

Xequence 2

A powerful MIDI sequencer, editor, and controller for digital music production on iPhone and iPad. It offers a desktop-class editing experience, robust import/export, and advanced features like MPE support and Ableton Link.

Highlights
  • MIDI sequencer, editor, arranger, and controller
  • Desktop-class editing experience
  • Robust MIDI file import/export
  • MPE support with per-note editing
  • Scale support in editors and keyboard
  • Ableton Link and Audiobus 3 integration
  • Advanced clip-based arranger
Features
Read full description

This app is targeted at digital music production enthusiasts & professionals. Xequence is a comprehensive, fast & reliable MIDI sequencer, editor, arranger & controller for iPhone & iPad. Providing a desktop-class editing experience, it is the perfect centerpiece for a hardware studio, or for apps like AUM & Audiobus 3 to create a modular mobile music production environment. HIGHLIGHTS: - Efficient & fast User Interface for an amazing editing workflow - Robust MIDI File Import & Export (notes, controllers, program changes, etc.) - Extensive support for MPE (In-App Purchase) with per-note expression data editing - Support for scales everywhere (keyboard, pianoroll, etc.) - Over 70 included scales in 10 categories - MIDI Time Stretching in all editors - Best-in-class MIDI timing and clock output - Full Ableton Link 3 support - Full Audiobus 3 support - MIDI In & Thru with re-channelization & re-routing - MIDI Sync Master (Clock/Start/Stop/Continue/SPP) to sync other DAWs & sequencers to Xequence, e.g. to use audio tracks, or external drum machines. Several options for compatibility ARRANGER: - Unlimited Clips - Unlimited Tracks - Unlimited Sub Tracks per Track - 64 Undo/Redo steps - Flexible grid - Per-track non-destructive Swing & MIDI Delay - Linked Clips / Clones (editing the original changes all copies) - Powerful clip-based, per-track independent looping - Program changes - Selection tools: Marquee/Rectangle, Same Track, Same Instrument, Linked Clips, Invert, etc. - Editing tools: Create Copy, Create Linked Copy, Unlink, Split, Join, Convert loops to clips, etc. - Global clipboard, even between projects - Movement/Trimming Handles at screen edges for efficient editing PIANOROLL EDITOR: - 256 Undo/Redo steps - Scale-awareness ("folding") - Relative or absolute grid (move by grid increments or snap to nearest grid lines) - Live MIDI previews of all edits - Selection tools: Box, Same Note, Same Key, Same Beat Position, Invert, etc. - Editing tools: Copy, Legato, Quantize, Quantize Ends, Octave +/-, Flip H/V (mirror), Fill clip with selection, etc. - Smart Draw mode: Touch to create, touch again to delete, drag up/down to transpose, drag left/right to change length - Global clipboard, even between projects - Configurable "ghost" overlays - Note velocities quickly adjustable via a handle, or editable like controllers, see below: CONTROLLER EDITOR: - 256 Undo/Redo steps - Selection tools: Box, Same Beat Position, Invert - Selection modes: Add & Replace - Editing tools: Copy, Reduce, Quantize, Compress/Expand, Flip H/V (mirror), Ramp (various curves), Fill clip with selection - Smart Draw mode - Note Velocities can be shown as controllers and edited with the same tools - Configurable vertical grid & value entry KEYBOARD / CONTROLLER: - Scale-aware, very playable single or dual keyboards - Glide support - Adjustable key width - Velocity emulation (via vertical position) - Drum maps and pads, fully editable, 40+ factory maps - Touch ribbons for live control - Controllers can be moved by sliding (ribbon), device rotation (up to three axes at once), like a button (sustain pedal, "trance gates"), or by touching the keys at different vertical positions. All highly configurable. INSTRUMENTS: - Unlimited Instruments (MIDI configurations for devices / apps) - Up to 150controller slots per Instrument - Optional support for (N)RPNs (In-App Purchase) - Loading & Saving of instruments for re-use in other projects, 40+ factory presets included (In-App Purchase) - Compatible with virtually ALL apps and class-compliant MIDI interfaces VARIOUS: - Audio or MIDI Metronome - Note chasing (notes play even when playback starts in the middle) - Controller chasing - Perfect song looping, no dropouts/jitter at loop points - Supports any time signature/BPM (fixed per song) - Includes PolyHymnia, an advanced Generative Music module - Light and Dark themes Please report any issues via our website, we provide quick and comprehensive support!

About

PatternBud

This app sequences MIDI CC and Program Change messages to control patterns in music applications. It allows for sophisticated song arrangements by timing pattern changes in synthesizers and drum machines. Features include multi-track sequencing, flexible step durations, and an advanced action system for dynamic control.

Highlights
  • Multi-track sequencing
  • MIDI CC and Program Change support
  • Flexible step durations
  • Advanced action system
  • Tempo synchronization
  • AUv3 plugin format
Features
Read full description

PatternBud is a MIDI CC and Program Change sequencer designed for controlling patterns across your music applications. Create sophisticated song arrangements by sequencing pattern changes in your synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers based on musical timing such as bars, beats, or note values. Key Features: - Multi-track sequencer with unlimited tracks and steps per track - Individual MIDI channel and CC number assignment per track - MIDI CC and Program Change message support for each step - Flexible step durations: bars, beats, note values, seconds, or minutes - Advanced action system for dynamic pattern control - Random value generation with customizable min/max ranges - Step-based actions including pattern jumps and random pattern selection - Copy, paste, insert, and delete operations for efficient workflow - Real-time step progress visualization with duration indicators - Tempo synchronization with host applications - Pattern switching via MIDI CC input - Comprehensive MIDI input and output routing - AudioKit-powered MIDI engine for precise timing - AUv3 plugin format for seamless DAW integration - Standalone app operation for hardware setups - iCloud based preset manager Advanced Action System: - Jump to specific steps or patterns - Trigger random steps within tracks - Send custom MIDI notes, CC, or PC messages - Execute actions at step start or end points - Chain multiple actions per step Perfect for controlling: - Pattern-based synthesizers and drum machines - Sequencer applications with multiple patterns - Hardware devices via MIDI CC/PC messages - Complex song arrangements and live performances - Any audio app supporting MIDI CC or AU parameter control PatternBud serves as the conductor for your electronic music setup, enabling you to create evolving compositions by orchestrating pattern changes across your entire rig. The application produces no audio itself - it focuses purely on MIDI control and timing. For AUv3 plugin usage, you'll need a compatible host application such as AUM, Cubase, apeMatrix, BeatMaker, or similar DAW software.

Screenshots

Xequence 24 screens
PatternBud4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PatternBud at $4.99 against Xequence 2's $19.99. PatternBud also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Xequence 2's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 44%) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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 2 costs $19.99 and PatternBud $4.99 up front. Xequence 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PatternBud asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Xequence 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xequence 2 has 65 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Xequence 2's written reviews are positive against 44% of PatternBud's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Xequence 2 versus PatternBud: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXequence 2PatternBud
Price$19.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.6 (65 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better44.4% of reviews
Number of ratings65 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.213.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander EweringCem Olcay

Customer experience

Xequence 2

All ratings65 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral1.5%
Negative9.2%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral4.4%
Negative17.8%

PatternBud

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral33.3%
Negative22.2%

Bugs and requests

Xequence 2

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • No sound for some users
  • Auto-save failed, lost work
  • Exported MIDI out of sync
  • Controller values not resetting properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • AUV3 support
  • Tempo and time signature changes mid-song
  • MIDI control for transport (start/stop)
  • SysEx support
  • Always visible Metronome button

PatternBud

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Xequence 2

One-time1
  • Enhanced Pack$4.99
None

PatternBud

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Xequence 2 free?
Xequence 2 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PatternBud free?
PatternBud costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Xequence 2 or PatternBud?
Xequence 2 is rated higher. Xequence 2 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 65 ratings, while PatternBud averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Xequence 2 or PatternBud have ads?
Neither Xequence 2 nor PatternBud shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Xequence 2 or PatternBud?
Xequence 2 ships an update every 2 weeks, and PatternBud every 2 weeks. Most recently, Xequence 2 was updated on October 15, 2026 and PatternBud on October 15, 2026.

Other comparisons