FabFilter Pro vs Sample Crate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FabFilter Pro
This professional audio plug-in offers flexible gate and expander functionality for mixing and mastering. It features multiple algorithms, precise metering, and customizable side chain options for real-time audio filtering. Requires a compatible host app to function as a plug-in.
- Multiple expander/gate algorithms
- Program-dependent attack/release
- Precise metering and level display
- Low CPU usage
- Adjustable range, hold, and knee
- External side chain and MIDI triggering
- Factory presets
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FabFilter Pro-G is a high quality gate/expander plug-in for mixing and mastering purposes, with flexible side chain options and great interface design. The Pro-G app filters the microphone input and plays it back in real-time. To use Pro-G as a plug-in, you need an AUv3-compatible host app like Auria, AUM or Cubasis. Pro-G will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins in the host app. Key features: - Five perfectly fine-tuned expander/gate algorithms: Classic, Clean, Vocal, Guitar and an upward expansion style - Beautifully program-dependent attack and release curves - Precise and helpful metering, including a real-time level display - Low CPU usage - Adjustable range, hold time and knee settings - Optional look-ahead time up to 10 ms - Expert mode that offers highly customizable side chain and level options, conveniently hidden in normal mode - Mono, stereo or mid/side processing - Up to four times linear-phase oversampling - Zero-latency operation mode - External side chain option - MIDI triggering: open the gate/expander with your MIDI keyboard - Separate dry/wet level settings - Easy to set up for common gating/expansion situations with the included factory presets - Undo/redo and A/B comparison "FabFilter's slick, innovative interfaces make FabFilter Pro-G a joy to use. For pros and beginners alike, Pro-G is a superb tool!" — Music Tech Magazine
Sample Crate
Easily manage and preview your sample library on your mobile device. Create custom sample kits, play them via pads, and export them for use in other applications. Features include batch renaming and audio extraction from videos.
- Instant sample preview
- Create sample kits with tags
- Play samples via pads
- Export sample chains
- Batch rename samples
- Extract audio from videos
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Sample Crate allows you to swiftly browse all your sample library on your mobile device. It can instantly preview any sample by just tapping it. If you like a particular sample you can add it to the Crate Player where you can play them via pads like on your favorite instrument. Top features: • Instant play any sample from your iOS device. • Create sample kits by tagging your files • Tags & Favorites are synced via iCloud • Play your samples via pads • Export sample chains to use in your favorite hardware sampler or any other iOS Apps • Batch rename your samples • Extract audio from videos or screen recordings. • Use it side by side with Any other iOS app and just drag over your favorite samples. And much more coming.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Sample Crate at $2.99 against FabFilter Pro's $29.99. Sample Crate also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 9 months) and device support (3 vs 1). FabFilter Pro's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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
FabFilter Pro costs $29.99 and Sample Crate $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
FabFilter Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of FabFilter Pro's written reviews are positive against 79% of Sample Crate's.
FabFilter Pro ships an update every 9 months, Sample Crate weekly. The most recent releases landed on July 8, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FabFilter Pro | Sample Crate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $2.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (16 ratings) — better | 4.7 (44 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 78.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 44 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FabFilter | Cristina Buga |
Customer experience
FabFilter Pro
Sample Crate
In-app purchases
FabFilter Pro
No in-app purchases
Sample Crate
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FabFilter Pro free?
Is Sample Crate free?
Which has better reviews, FabFilter Pro or Sample Crate?
Do FabFilter Pro or Sample Crate have ads?
Which is updated more often, FabFilter Pro or Sample Crate?
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