Comparison

DRM vs T.APE

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

T.APE

This app offers a retro-inspired multitrack recorder that mimics the feel of working with tape. It allows musicians to record up to four stereo tracks, layer ideas, and export projects with a vintage aesthetic and modern flexibility.

Highlights
  • 4-track stereo recording
  • Per-track volume, pan, solo & mute
  • Real-time tape-style playback
  • Drag-to-scrub functionality
  • Project title and notes
  • Timeline view with waveform editor
  • Loop-friendly layering
Features
Read full description

T.APE – A Retro-Inspired Multitrack Recorder with a Modern Soul Step into the world of T.APE: a multitrack recording app that feels like working with tape—but in your pocket. Built for musicians, producers, and sound explorers, T.APE combines the warmth and immediacy of vintage cassette workflows with the flexibility of modern digital tools. Record up to four stereo tracks, layer your ideas, trim and bounce your takes, and take notes of your new project. Whether you're sketching demos, building experimental textures, or capturing spontaneous moments, T.APE gives you a fast and tactile way to create—without distractions. Key Features: - 4-track stereo recording with offline bounce - Per-track volume, pan, solo & mute - Real-time tape-style playback with drag-to-scrub - Give your project a title and save your notes too - Timeline view with waveform editor - Loop-friendly and made for layering ideas - Project export and import with all track settings - Vintage tape aesthetic with modern reliability T.APE doesn’t try to replace your DAW—it complements it. Perfect for quick takes, sound journaling, or lo-fi experiments on the go. For first-time users: T.APE lets you record multitrack audio just like an old-school tape recorder. To record over existing tracks in real time, you’ll need to use headphones. We recommend using original Apple wired headphones for the best results. Before you start, it’s also a good idea to fine-tune the app’s internal latency. To access the latency settings, tap the spinning reel icon at the top (it rotates during playback, like a tape spindle). Then swipe vertically to adjust the latency. On an iPhone 14 Pro, a value around 220 ms is usually ideal. Note: the system-calculated value doesn’t include your device’s final output latency. We’re working on a more advanced latency calibration system for future updates. To record at a specific point in your project, simply scrub forward or backward, press pause, arm the track, and start recording. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out!

Screenshots

DRM4 screens
T.APE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DRM at every 7 months against T.APE's every 16 months. DRM also leads on ratings volume (6 vs 1) and price ($1.99 vs $3.99). On rating, 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 T.APE $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for DRM against 5.0 for T.APE. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DRM has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DRM ships an update every 7 months, T.APE every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DRM versus T.APE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRMT.APE
Price$1.99 — better$3.99
Rating5.0 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 months — betterEvery 16 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid RochaixPaolo Giorgi

Customer experience

DRM

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

T.APE

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DRM

No in-app purchases

None

T.APE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DRM free?
DRM costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is T.APE free?
T.APE costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DRM or T.APE?
DRM and T.APE are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do DRM or T.APE have ads?
Neither DRM nor T.APE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DRM or T.APE?
DRM ships an update every 7 months, and T.APE every 16 months. Most recently, DRM was updated on October 13, 2026 and T.APE on October 20, 2026.

Other comparisons