DRM vs Pulsar
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DRM
This app transforms your device into a pocket beat-making companion, emulating the simplicity and raw heritage of a 1978 instrument. It offers high-quality samples, preset patterns, and various instrument and audio effects for creative music production.
- 8 original high-quality double-samples
- 16 preset patterns
- Selective instrument deletion modes
- Commutable 'Spacedrum' instrument
- Full machine state auto-save
- Background audio playback
- Audiobus V3 and InterApp audio support
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Holding the simplicity of a rare 1978 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. Characteristics : - 8 Original high quality double-samples - 16 preset patterns - 3 Selective instrument deletion modes - Commutable « Spacedrum » instrument - Full machine state auto-save - Background audio playback enabled - Audiobus V3 - InterApp audio - AudioUnit - Midi - Bluetooth LE 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 ;-)
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.
- 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
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Pulsar-ES is a sample-based drum machine inspired by the Estradin Pulsar. Start with 128 factory rhythms, 64 in bank A and 64 in bank B, play the eight-pad kit, and edit MIDI notes and velocities. In version 1.0.8, Random rhythm generates a new pattern in the current slot. Swing adjusts the timing from 0 to 100%. Shape the sound with filter, reverb, overdrive, delay, chorus and compression. Save edited rhythms as separate user patterns; the factory patterns remain available. Open LINK for tempo-sync settings with compatible peers. Start/stop synchronization is a separate setting. With a MIDI output selected and a compatible route configured, send pattern notes to another instrument. In a plug-in host, routing depends on the host. For iPhone and iPad: standalone app and AUv3. Hosting, MIDI and Link features require the corresponding compatible setup.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Pulsar at 4.3 against DRM's 3.7. Pulsar also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months) and review sentiment (67% vs 38%). DRM's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $4.99). 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
DRM costs $0.99 and Pulsar $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Pulsar holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of DRM's written reviews are positive against 67% of Pulsar's.
DRM ships an update every 9 months, Pulsar every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DRM | Pulsar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.7 (12 ratings) | 4.3 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 38.5% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | David Rochaix | Dmytro Kiro |
Customer experience
DRM
Pulsar
In-app purchases
DRM
No in-app purchases
Pulsar
No in-app purchases









