Comparison

eSPi vs VU202

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

eSPi

Recreate the iconic sound of the 90's SP-1200 sampler on your iPad. Import or record audio, then chop, pitch, and sequence it to create sampled beats. Experience the gritty sound and workflow of a legendary music production tool.

Highlights
  • Sampled beat creation
  • SP-1200 emulation
  • Import and record samples
  • Sample chopping and pitching
  • Sequencing
  • Multiple filters and effects
  • Compressor
Features
Read full description

Create sampled beats the original 90's way using eSPi. The SP-1200 was the primary tool of many legendary hip-hop beatmakers and house music producers in the 90's. It is well known for its gritty sound and simple but effective workflow. Now with eSPi you get to experience this machine right at your fingertips, on your iPad. Import samples or record them yourself, chop them up, pitch them and sequence them within the app. Features include multiple filters, effects, a compressor, and most importantly the best emulation of the gritty signature sound produced by the SP-1200 when pitching samples up & down. eSPi is also available on Mac, Linux & PC. *SP1200 & SP12 are registered trademarks or Rossum Electromusic LLC.

About

VU202

Create beats and design sounds with this performance-focused sampler. Import or record audio, shape sounds with extensive editing tools, and build rhythms and song structures. Customize the interface and export your creations.

Highlights
  • Import, record, and resample audio
  • Sample editing with trim, attack, decay
  • Pattern and song arrangement modes
  • Per-step nudge timing
  • Pad, bank, and master effects
  • Export WAV or stems
  • UI customization
Features
Read full description

VU202 is a performance-focused sampler for iPhone and iPad, built for fast sound design, pattern creation, and hands-on beat making. VU202 now can export it projects into my newest creation - VU Studio Desktop - mini daw for OSX and Windows that will help You to finish Your VU202 projects. Look for a discount code in the app! Import your own samples or unlock included drumkits, record directly into pads, or resample processed sounds to create new layers and textures. Shape every sound with trim, attack and decay editing, pitch control, reverse playback, loop modes, trigger or gate playback, and multiple effect stages. Build rhythms in Pattern Mode, switch between patterns instantly, and arrange full ideas in Song Mode. Push grooves further with per-step nudge timing, quick pattern tools like rename, duplicate, erase, and double, and fast pad and bank actions including mute and solo. Use pad effects for detailed sound design, then process groups and the full mix with bank and master FX. Bounce effected sounds into new samples, export full mixes or stems, and keep building without breaking your flow. Make the instrument your own with UI customization, including background images, opacity control, and editable interface colors. Features: Import, record, and resample audio directly into pads Trim samples and edit attack, decay, and release shape Use trigger or gate playback per pad Create patterns, duplicate them, erase them, rename them, and double their length Add per-step nudge timing for looser, off-grid grooves Arrange full song chains in Song Mode Use pad, bank, and master effects Mute and solo pads or full banks for fast performance control Export projects as WAV or stems Save projects and continue where you left off Customize the look of VU202 with colors and background images Use zoom support for a more comfortable editing view VU202 is made for drums, chops, textures, and fast musical sketches, with a workflow that stays direct, creative, and playable.

Screenshots

eSPi4 screens
VU2023 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VU202 at Free against eSPi's $19.99. VU202 also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 52%) and rating (4.8 vs 3.7). eSPi's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On ratings volume, ads and device support 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

VU202 is free to download; eSPi costs $19.99 up front. VU202 sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. eSPi asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VU202 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 33 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of eSPi's written reviews are positive against 94% of VU202's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

eSPi ships an update fortnightly, VU202 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
eSPi versus VU202: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametereSPiVU202
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (39 ratings)4.8 (33 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.5% of reviews94.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings39 — better33
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB157 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLouis TeboulDariusz Chynek

Customer experience

eSPi

All ratings39 ratings
Positive59.0%
Neutral15.4%
Negative25.6%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive51.5%
Neutral19.7%
Negative28.8%

VU202

All ratings33 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.9%

In-app purchases

None

eSPi

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

VU202

One-time9
  • MPC 2000 Drumkit$0.99
  • SP202 Drumkit$0.99
  • SP1200 Drumkit$0.99
Show 6 more
  • S2400 Drumkit$0.99
  • S900 Drumkit$0.99
  • EMAX$0.99
  • MPC3000 Drumkit$0.99
  • MPC 2000 2$0.99
  • Remove Ads$4.99

Questions

Is eSPi free?
eSPi costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VU202 free?
VU202 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, eSPi or VU202?
VU202 is rated higher. eSPi averages 3.7 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while VU202 averages 4.8 from 33 ratings.
Do eSPi or VU202 have ads?
Neither eSPi nor VU202 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, eSPi or VU202?
eSPi ships an update fortnightly, and VU202 weekly. Most recently, eSPi was updated on October 19, 2026 and VU202 on October 17, 2026.

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