Decent Sampler vs PianoNotation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Decent Sampler
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.
- Use professional sample libraries
- Supports Decent Samples libraries
- Supports SFZ files
- AUv3 plugin compatibility
- Standalone app functionality
- New libraries added weekly
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Did you ever wish you could use professional quality sample libraries on your mobile device? Now you can! The Decent Samples plugin is a sample player that allows you to use your favorite Decent Samples sample libraries on the go (as well as SF2s, SFZs, and EXS files). Many of the most popular Decent Samples releases are available through the app with more being added every week. Because it's also an AUv3 plugin, you can use it from within GarageBand or with AUM.
PianoNotation
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PianoNotation is the ideal educational app to learn how to read music on iPhone and iPad. Practice music theory, recognize musical notes and improve your hearing with interactive exercises. With individual grade selector so that the student advances at his own pace • Identify notes on the staff. • Exercises with timer and personal record. • Audio mode and optional visual guide. • Ear memory.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Decent Sampler at Free against PianoNotation's $1.99. Decent Sampler also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). PianoNotation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 60). On update cadence and ads 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
Decent Sampler is free to download; PianoNotation costs $1.99 up front. Decent Sampler sells 60 one-off in-app purchases. PianoNotation asks for nothing beyond the download.
Decent Sampler ships an update weekly, PianoNotation every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Decent Sampler | PianoNotation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (53 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 53 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 9 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Decidedly, LLC | Alexander Martell |
Bugs and requests
Decent Sampler
Reported bugs
23 issues- Instant crash on load
- App stopped working after iOS update
- AUV3 crashes out of nowhere
- Unresponsive upon opening
- Server issues for login
Show 18 moreShow fewer
- Instrument remains stuck on a note
- Projects need to be reloaded to show app
- Crash when loading samples
- Failing to load presets when reloading host project
- Adding unwanted temp presets
- Crashing when selecting different samples
- Login prompt won't let paste text
- Can't paste password to login
- Login screen covered by keyboard
- Error 500 when downloading
- Restore Purchases button not working
- Forgotten Password button not working
- Invalid email address for registration
- No URL found when downloading sound packs
- Clicking sounds while using
- Glitching, clicking, and ghost sounds on held notes
- Instrument crashes after a few minutes
- Earthquake pad 02 glitching
Requested features
14 requests- 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
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Add MIDI sequencing
- Add pitch bend functionality
- Add velocity response curve knob
- Add filter stage and more flexible envelope
- Allow disabling iOS auto-lock
- Configure receiving MIDI channel
- Improve preset selection
- Add dark mode
- Support VoiceOver
PianoNotation
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Decent Sampler
- Box ViolinFree
- Dave ChoirFree
- Resonator GlockenspielFree
Show 57 moreShow fewer
- Banjo UkuleleFree
- KalimbaFree
- Ukelin$0.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 3$2.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 4$3.99
- Weber 1929 Baby Grand$4.99
- Ramshackle Zither$4.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 5$4.99
- Music Major Sample Library$4.99
- Sawblade Kalimba Library$4.99
- Melodica$4.99
- Distance: Zero$4.99
- Little Church Organ$4.99
- Indie Guitar$5.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 6$5.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 7$6.99
- Paper Drums$6.99
- Relic Keyboard$7.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 8$7.99
- HS-3715 Keyboard$7.99
- Malevolence by Venus Theory$8.99
- Viola Ensemble$9.99
- Indie Bass$9.99
- Metal Cups$9.99
- Phonoharp$9.99
- Violin Ensemble$9.99
- Ethereal Vocals$9.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 10$9.99
- Kalimba by Darel$9.99
- Dangerous Undertones$9.99
- Chroma Vol. 1$9.99
- Luminate$9.99
- Horror Box$9.99
- Tape Violins Sample Library$10.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 11$11.00
- Interlaced Sample Library$14.99
- Decent Sampler Store Item 15$15.00
- Decent Sampler Store Item 16$16.00
- Decent Sampler Store Item 19$19.00
- alt.strings$19.99
- Felt & Fog$19.99
- Organic Orchestra$19.99
- Indie Drums$19.99
- Bitscape 95$19.99
- Thyssia by Venus Theory$19.99
- Decent Samples Store Item 20$20.00
- Decent Samples Store Item 24$24.00
- The Void$24.99
- Processed Guitars$24.99
- Decent Samples Store Item 25$25.00
- String Flows$29.99
- 70s Summer Camp Sample Library$29.99
- Decent Samples Store Item 30$30.00
- LoFi VaporTones Ds$33.99
- Decent Samples Store Item 39$39.00
- Decent Samples Store Item 40$40.00
- Chamberlin M1 by Jamie Lidell$49.99
PianoNotation
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Decent Sampler free?
Is PianoNotation free?
Do Decent Sampler or PianoNotation have ads?
Which is updated more often, Decent Sampler or PianoNotation?
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