Comparison

Poly 2 vs C.ARP

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

Head to head
About

Poly 2

This app generates evolving musical patterns and melodies using polyrhythms. It offers extensive sound manipulation with a sampler, multiple effects, and the ability to store numerous configurations. Users can also import their own sounds and integrate with other music production tools.

Highlights
  • Generative polyrhythm sequencing
  • Up to 8 simultaneous sounds
  • Sampler with envelopes and filters
  • Randomize capabilities
  • Built-in delay, reverb, distortion, and EQ FX
  • AUv3, Audiobus, and IAA support
  • Import custom samples
Features
Read full description

Poly 2 is a generative sequencer that creates evolving patterns and melodies based on the power of polyrhythms. Check out the promo video: https://youtu.be/ovCXtBynEkw Features: - Up to 8 different sounds at any time - Store up to 16 different configurations for each project - A sampler that includes envelopes, filters, loop crossfading, an LFO and more - Randomise capabilities - Delay, reverb, distortion and EQ FX - Over 100 samples included for free - 13 premade collections of sounds - 13 example projects - AUv3 support, both MIDI and Audio - Audiobus and IAA - Ableton Link - MIDI notes in / out, MIDI CC in / out and MIDI clock in - Import your own samples via iOS Files or WIFI transfer

About

C.ARP

This app offers a unique approach to music creation, inspired by vintage instruments. It allows users to play chords and melodies with intuitive touch controls, apply real-time audio effects, and utilize a dynamic rhythm section. Advanced features include sampling, MIDI output via Bluetooth, and an iPad-optimized interface.

Highlights
  • Chord and melody playing
  • Real-time audio effects
  • Dynamic rhythm section
  • Sampling and looping
  • MIDI output via Bluetooth
  • iPad optimized interface
  • In-app tutorial
Features
Read full description

C.ARP is a totally different keyboard. Inspired by old keyboards, omnichords and tape effects, it lets you play chords and melodies as well. Its design makes everything easier for a musician who just wants to play on mobile. Just hold on a button and then swipe or tap on the right section. But if you prefer, you can access chords and notes directly on the notes grid. Pitch them, harmonize, use mod wheel and apply real-time audio effects too. Rhythm section follows you every chord you choose: pick up the style you prefer, adjust BPMs, mute other instrument, change different midi settings, change drums and play them with drum pads. Do arpeggios with different sounds and rhythmic fractions, create different sound environments with delay, reverb and rotation. The design has also been updated for iPads, so you can enjoy the buttons and sections rearranged for the screen size. Record your voice or everything else as a sample, adjust its length, reverse or loop it, make chords and melodies with it and explore other cool features on this 4th version. There's also a tutorial inside! And finally: we added bluetooth out. It means you can connect your iPhone to your Mac and send midi notes right in your preferred DAW. Just follow the guide inside. Thanks to everyone who helped me: Giacomo, Virginia, Mattia, Andrea, Giulia, Cristiano, and the others. Thanks to the masters Suriani, Frankie and Calcutta. For every question or suggestion don't hesitate to write to me

Screenshots

Poly 24 screens
C.ARP4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Poly 2 at Free against C.ARP's $9.99. Poly 2 also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (84% vs 74%). C.ARP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On update cadence, ads and device support 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

Poly 2 is free to download; C.ARP costs $9.99 up front. Poly 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. C.ARP asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Poly 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Poly 2 has 686 ratings behind it against 114, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Poly 2's written reviews are positive against 74% of C.ARP's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Poly 2 versus C.ARP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPoly 2C.ARP
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.8 (686 ratings) — better4.3 (114 ratings)
Positive reviews84.1% of reviews — better74.3% of reviews
Number of ratings686 — better114
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJames MiltonPaolo Giorgi

Customer experience

Poly 2

All ratings686 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative11.1%

C.ARP

All ratings114 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral5.3%
Negative13.2%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive74.3%
Neutral8.8%
Negative16.8%

User reviews

Poly 2

From 686 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Unique, creative, and powerful tool
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🎨 Excellent for ambient, experimental, and generative music
  • 🎹 Great for drum grooves and rhythmic patterns
  • 💻 Seamless integration with external hardware and software

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔇 Lack of sustain/voice ring-out when transport is stopped
  • 📺 Small interface elements can be difficult to use on iPad
  • 🔌 Compatibility issues with some third-party apps

C.ARP

From 114 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎶 Authentic omnichord sound
  • 💡 Great for learning music theory
  • 🤩 Fun and enjoyable to use
  • 📱 Accessible on mobile devices
  • 💰 Affordable alternative to real omnichord

Room to improve

  • 🔊 No sound issue
  • 💥 Frequent crashes
  • 🤔 Confusing interface/menus
  • 🐌 Slow UI responsiveness
  • 🎚️ Limited sound design options

Bugs and requests

Poly 2

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • In-app purchase not working for some users
  • MIDI connectivity issues with certain apps
  • Crashes upon opening for some users

Requested features

8 requests
  • Ability to preview samples before importing
  • Autoslice/autochop functionality for samples
  • Support for larger sample imports and automatic slot filling
  • Granulizer effect
  • Note repeat and vinyl effects
Show 3 more
  • More built-in effects and processing options
  • Ability to create and arrange full songs
  • M1 Mac compatibility

C.ARP

Reported bugs

40 issues
  • Sound doesn't work
  • No sound
  • App crashes when opening
  • App crashes when trying to open
  • App auto-quits on start
Show 35 more
  • Chord panel smaller after update
  • System setting always out
  • App crashes after using only once
  • App crashes when pressing a button
  • MIDI Send is broken
  • Can't open the app on Mac
  • Can't close the menu
  • App crashes if sample button is pressed
  • Sample button crashes the app
  • Strumming doesn't work
  • App crashes when sample or reverse is pressed
  • App is not stable / crashy
  • Sampling function is DOA
  • Sampler doesn't work / crashes
  • Crash problem
  • Send midi function greyed out
  • App crashes when pressing the red sample button
  • Sampler crashes the app 100%
  • App crashes when attempting to use record feature
  • Sample button keeps crashing the app
  • Record, loop, or reverse buttons cause crash
  • Bugs related to recording/sampling
  • Sampler may crash
  • Audio panel covers gear button
  • E chord is extremely low octave and sounds muddled
  • App crashes when trying to start an audio recording
  • Certain audio glitches with recording and looping
  • Buttons crash the app
  • App crashes when pressing the sample button
  • Sample and reverse buttons crash the app
  • MIDI out doesn't seem to work
  • Latency is a killer
  • Chord doesn't trigger if not hit perfectly
  • Sliding finger doesn't sound chord
  • Sound can be tinny/harsh

Requested features

18 requests
  • Rearrange layout to be chromatic
  • AUV3 support
  • Inter-app-audio / GarageBand integration
  • MIDI out functionality
  • Save last state
Show 13 more
  • Contextual help menus
  • More sound design options
  • Make it an Auv3 midi controller
  • Support iPad
  • Add "midi out" option
  • Make it an audio app extension for GarageBand
  • Add a way to use this app as a Bluetooth midi controller
  • Add a visual distinction for individual buttons
  • Add velocity on the strum bar
  • Allow autoplay chord to hold like a drone
  • Transpose reverb of strummed notes
  • Add midi connectivity with external devices and other apps
  • Add custom colors for themes

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Poly 2

One-time1
  • Pro mode$11.99
None

C.ARP

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Poly 2 free?
Poly 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is C.ARP free?
C.ARP costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Poly 2 or C.ARP?
Poly 2 is rated higher. Poly 2 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 686 ratings, while C.ARP averages 4.3 from 114 ratings.
Do Poly 2 or C.ARP have ads?
Neither Poly 2 nor C.ARP shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Poly 2 or C.ARP?
Poly 2 ships an update every 4 weeks, and C.ARP every 4 weeks. Most recently, Poly 2 was updated on September 8, 2026 and C.ARP on September 22, 2026.

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