eSPi vs VU202
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Sampled beat creation
- SP-1200 emulation
- Import and record samples
- Sample chopping and pitching
- Sequencing
- Multiple filters and effects
- Compressor
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
eSPi ships an update fortnightly, VU202 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | eSPi | VU202 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.7 (39 ratings) | 4.8 (33 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.5% of reviews | 94.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 39 — better | 33 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 157 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Louis Teboul | Dariusz Chynek |
Customer experience
eSPi
VU202
In-app purchases
eSPi
No in-app purchases
VU202
- MPC 2000 Drumkit$0.99
- SP202 Drumkit$0.99
- SP1200 Drumkit$0.99
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- S2400 Drumkit$0.99
- S900 Drumkit$0.99
- EMAX$0.99
- MPC3000 Drumkit$0.99
- MPC 2000 2$0.99
- Remove Ads$4.99









