Comparison

FabFilter Pro vs Sample Crate

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Instant sample preview
  • Create sample kits with tags
  • Play samples via pads
  • Export sample chains
  • Batch rename samples
  • Extract audio from videos
Features
Read full description

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

Sample Crate4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
FabFilter Pro versus Sample Crate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFabFilter ProSample Crate
Price$29.99$2.99 — better
Rating5.0 (16 ratings) — better4.7 (44 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better78.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1644 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFabFilterCristina Buga

Customer experience

FabFilter Pro

All ratings16 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Sample Crate

All ratings44 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral6.8%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative10.5%

In-app purchases

None

FabFilter Pro

No in-app purchases

None

Sample Crate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FabFilter Pro free?
FabFilter Pro costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sample Crate free?
Sample Crate costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FabFilter Pro or Sample Crate?
FabFilter Pro is rated higher. FabFilter Pro averages 5.0 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Sample Crate averages 4.7 from 44 ratings.
Do FabFilter Pro or Sample Crate have ads?
Neither FabFilter Pro nor Sample Crate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FabFilter Pro or Sample Crate?
FabFilter Pro ships an update every 9 months, and Sample Crate weekly. Most recently, FabFilter Pro was updated on July 8, 2026 and Sample Crate on October 2, 2026.

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