# Decent Sampler vs Dawnbeat

The clearest difference is rating: Decent Sampler at 4.6 against Dawnbeat's 4.2. Decent Sampler also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Dawnbeat's advantage is review sentiment (70% vs 52%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Decent Sampler sells 60 one-off in-app purchases and Dawnbeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Decent Sampler holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 112 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of Decent Sampler's written reviews are positive against 70% of Dawnbeat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Decent Sampler | Dawnbeat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decent-sampler/id1530441977/reviews)** | [4.2 (112 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawnbeat-sampler/id6443720584/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 53 | **112** |
| Positive reviews | 52.2% of reviews | **70.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 40 MB | 504 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Decidedly, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/783782943) | [Luis Rivas](https://appshunter.io/developer/599309613) |

## What reviewers say

### Decent Sampler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decent-sampler/id1530441977)

This music app lets you use professional-quality sample libraries on your mobile device. It supports Decent Samples libraries and SFZs, and can be used within other music production apps as an AUv3 plugin.

**Highlights:** Use professional sample libraries, Supports Decent Samples libraries, Supports SFZ files, AUv3 plugin compatibility, Standalone app functionality, New libraries added weekly

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (60)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Box Violin | Free | one-time |
| Dave Choir | Free | one-time |
| Resonator Glockenspiel | Free | one-time |
| Banjo Ukulele | Free | one-time |
| Kalimba | Free | one-time |
| Ukelin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 4 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Weber 1929 Baby Grand | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ramshackle Zither | $4.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Music Major Sample Library | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sawblade Kalimba Library | $4.99 | one-time |
| Melodica | $4.99 | one-time |
| Distance: Zero | $4.99 | one-time |
| Little Church Organ | $4.99 | one-time |
| Indie Guitar | $5.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 6 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 7 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Paper Drums | $6.99 | one-time |
| Relic Keyboard | $7.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 8 | $7.99 | one-time |
| HS-3715 Keyboard | $7.99 | one-time |
| Malevolence by Venus Theory | $8.99 | one-time |
| Viola Ensemble | $9.99 | one-time |
| Indie Bass | $9.99 | one-time |
| Metal Cups | $9.99 | one-time |
| Phonoharp | $9.99 | one-time |
| Violin Ensemble | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ethereal Vocals | $9.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Kalimba by Darel | $9.99 | one-time |
| Dangerous Undertones | $9.99 | one-time |
| Chroma Vol. 1 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Luminate | $9.99 | one-time |
| Horror Box | $9.99 | one-time |
| Tape Violins Sample Library | $10.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 11 | $11.00 | one-time |
| Interlaced Sample Library | $14.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 15 | $15.00 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 16 | $16.00 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 19 | $19.00 | one-time |
| alt.strings | $19.99 | one-time |
| Felt & Fog | $19.99 | one-time |
| Organic Orchestra | $19.99 | one-time |
| Indie Drums | $19.99 | one-time |
| Bitscape 95 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Thyssia by Venus Theory | $19.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 20 | $20.00 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 24 | $24.00 | one-time |
| The Void | $24.99 | one-time |
| Processed Guitars | $24.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 25 | $25.00 | one-time |
| String Flows | $29.99 | one-time |
| 70s Summer Camp Sample Library | $29.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 30 | $30.00 | one-time |
| LoFi VaporTones Ds | $33.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 39 | $39.00 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 40 | $40.00 | one-time |
| Chamberlin M1 by Jamie Lidell | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Great sounds and libraries
- 🎹 Powerful sampler for iOS
- 💡 Free sample packs available
- ✨ High-quality instruments
- 🔄 Actively developed with updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and instability
- 💾 High RAM and storage usage
- 🔌 Issues with Logic Pro on iOS
- 🐌 Slow download manager
- 🤷‍♂️ Not working with older iPads

**Reported bugs**

- Instant crash on load
- App stopped working after iOS update
- AUV3 crashes out of nowhere
- Unresponsive upon opening
- Server issues for login

**Requested features**

- Add user/pass fill from password keeper
- Implement a download manager for multiple instruments
- Allow running within IAA or Audiobus
- Add ability to clear cache
- Fix multi-track support in AUV3


### Dawnbeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawnbeat-sampler/id6443720584)

This app lets you create music by sampling and sequencing audio. It offers advanced features like multi-touch pads, an always-recording buffer, and flexible routing for creative sound manipulation. Integrate with external MIDI devices and apply a wide range of built-in and AUv3 effects.

**Highlights:** Multi-touch and draggable pads, Always-recording buffer (Memorizer), Advanced loop manipulation (BRIIKS), Flexible mixer with assignable busses, Polyphonic pads for chords, MIDI IN/OUT for external control, AUv3 effects and instrument support, Auto-slicer for audio chopping

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dawn Beat Complete | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Decent Sampler free?

Decent Sampler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Dawnbeat free?

Dawnbeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Decent Sampler or Dawnbeat?

Decent Sampler is rated higher. Decent Sampler averages 4.6 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Dawnbeat averages 4.2 from 112 ratings.

### Do Decent Sampler or Dawnbeat have ads?

Neither Decent Sampler nor Dawnbeat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Decent Sampler or Dawnbeat?

Decent Sampler ships an update every 3 weeks, and Dawnbeat every 3 weeks. Most recently, Decent Sampler was updated on October 14, 2026 and Dawnbeat on October 10, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*