Comparison

DRM vs Marimba

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 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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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 ;-)

About

Marimba

This app offers a high-quality sampled marimba instrument for iOS devices. It functions as a standalone application or an AUv3 plugin, featuring adjustable keyboard settings and built-in effects like reverb and delay. It supports external MIDI input for enhanced musical expression.

Highlights
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin
  • High-quality sample-based marimba
  • Configurable keyboard
  • Reverb and delay effects
  • MIDI input support
  • Mac support
Features
Read full description

Marimba is a polyphonic sampled AUv3 instrument and standalone app for iPhone and iPad. It features a configurable keyboard, reverb and delay effects. It can be played using an external midi keyboard over Wifi or Bluetooth, or loaded in your favourite AUv3 compatible DAW, such as Garageband. Features • Standalone app and AUv3 • High quality sample based marimba instrument • Configurable keyboard key count • Reverb • Delay • Midi input support • Mac support System Requirements: iOS 15.0 or later

Screenshots

DRM4 screens
Marimba3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Marimba at 5.0 against DRM's 3.7. DRM's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 2) and price ($0.99 vs $2.99). On update cadence, 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 $0.99 and Marimba $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Marimba holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DRM has 12 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DRM ships an update every 9 months, Marimba every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DRM versus Marimba: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRMMarimba
Price$0.99 — better$2.99
Rating3.7 (12 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews38.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 9 months — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid RochaixMellowmuse Ltd

Customer experience

DRM

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral15.4%
Negative46.2%

Marimba

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DRM

No in-app purchases

None

Marimba

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DRM free?
DRM costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Marimba free?
Marimba costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DRM or Marimba?
Marimba is rated higher. DRM averages 3.7 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Marimba averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do DRM or Marimba have ads?
Neither DRM nor Marimba shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DRM or Marimba?
DRM ships an update every 9 months, and Marimba every 10 months. Most recently, DRM was updated on November 3, 2026 and Marimba on November 4, 2026.

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