Comparison

DRM vs Pulsar

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

Head to head
About

DRM

This app emulates a vintage 1979 drum machine, offering a pure interface for creating beats on your device. It includes high-quality samples, preset patterns, and advanced audio features for music production.

Highlights
  • 8 original high-quality double-samples
  • 32 preset patterns
  • Selective instrument deletion modes
  • Full machine state auto-save
  • Background audio playback
  • Audiobus V3 and InterApp audio support
  • Built-in audio and global effects
Features
Read full description

Holding the simplicity of a rare 1979 instrument and carrying its raw heritage to you, it turns your device into a pocket beat making companion. I believe that designing a pure interface, simply displaying your machine without any distraction, was the best way to reflect the spirit of the period it was born. Main caracteristics : - 8 Original high quality double-samples - 32 preset patterns - 3 Selective instrument deletion modes - Full machine state auto-save - Background audio playback enabled - Audiobus V3 - InterApp audio Bonuses accessible in your device settings : - Additionnal LED display for the tempo and the volume - Pattern selection LED indicators - Alternative « Rock » drum kit with integrated effects - Built-in intruments effects : « Stereo pan » and « Jungle tune » - Built-in audio effects : « Equalizer » and « Distortion » - Built-in global effects : « Delay » and « Reverb » - Mute any instrument I hope you will enjoy it as much as I love it ;-)

About

Pulsar

This music app provides a virtual drum machine with 8 pads for improvising and playing along to built-in rhythm presets. It features real-time rhythm switching, tempo control, and various effects. It also supports Ableton Link and MIDI for seamless integration with other music software and hardware.

Highlights
  • 8-pad drum machine
  • Built-in rhythm presets
  • Real-time rhythm switching
  • Tempo and accent control
  • Drive, reverb, and filter effects
  • Ableton Link synchronization
  • MIDI In/Out support
  • AUv3 compatibility
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Make beats anywhere with Pulsar-ES, an authentic preset drum machine expanded into a mobile groovebox for iPhone and iPad. Inspired by the rare Soviet/Ukrainian PULSAR hardware, Pulsar-ES keeps the original industrial rhythm-box character while adding the missing modern features producers expect: MIDI editing, deeper FX, Ableton Link sync, AUv3 workflow, and mobile project control. Play ideas fast on the 4x2 drum pad grid, then turn them into full patterns with the MIDI Clip Editor. Draw, move, and resize notes directly on the grid so your rhythm stays editable after the first take. Shape your sound with a hands-on FX rack built for quick decisions: - Filter with low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and notch modes - Reverb with room, hall, and plate spaces - Overdrive with overdrive, distortion, fuzz, and tube modes - Delay with digital, tape, and ping-pong modes - Chorus and compressor for extra movement and control Pulsar-ES also supports Ableton Link sync, project save/load, rhythm presets, and a portrait layout designed for making music on the go. Start a beat, edit every note, shape it with FX, and keep your ideas moving.

Screenshots

DRM4 screens
Pulsar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DRM at 5.0 against Pulsar's 4.3. DRM also leads on price ($1.99 vs $4.99). Pulsar's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and chart position (#188 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

DRM costs $1.99 and Pulsar $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DRM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 7 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of DRM's written reviews are positive against 67% of Pulsar's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DRM ships an update every 7 months, Pulsar every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
DRM versus Pulsar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRMPulsar
Price$1.99 — better$4.99
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better4.3 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings67 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#188 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid RochaixDmytro Kiro

Customer experience

DRM

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

Pulsar

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

DRM

No in-app purchases

None

Pulsar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DRM free?
DRM costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pulsar free?
Pulsar costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DRM or Pulsar?
DRM is rated higher. DRM averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Pulsar averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.
Do DRM or Pulsar have ads?
Neither DRM nor Pulsar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DRM or Pulsar?
DRM ships an update every 7 months, and Pulsar every 3 weeks. Most recently, DRM was updated on September 10, 2026 and Pulsar on September 18, 2026.

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