Comparison

PatternBud vs Groove Number

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

Head to head
About

PatternBud

This app sequences MIDI CC and Program Change messages to control patterns in music applications. It allows for sophisticated song arrangements by timing pattern changes in synthesizers and drum machines. Features include multi-track sequencing, flexible step durations, and an advanced action system for dynamic control.

Highlights
  • Multi-track sequencing
  • MIDI CC and Program Change support
  • Flexible step durations
  • Advanced action system
  • Tempo synchronization
  • AUv3 plugin format
Features
Read full description

PatternBud is a MIDI CC and Program Change sequencer designed for controlling patterns across your music applications. Create sophisticated song arrangements by sequencing pattern changes in your synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers based on musical timing such as bars, beats, or note values. Key Features: - Multi-track sequencer with unlimited tracks and steps per track - Individual MIDI channel and CC number assignment per track - MIDI CC and Program Change message support for each step - Flexible step durations: bars, beats, note values, seconds, or minutes - Advanced action system for dynamic pattern control - Random value generation with customizable min/max ranges - Step-based actions including pattern jumps and random pattern selection - Copy, paste, insert, and delete operations for efficient workflow - Real-time step progress visualization with duration indicators - Tempo synchronization with host applications - Pattern switching via MIDI CC input - Comprehensive MIDI input and output routing - AudioKit-powered MIDI engine for precise timing - AUv3 plugin format for seamless DAW integration - Standalone app operation for hardware setups - iCloud based preset manager Advanced Action System: - Jump to specific steps or patterns - Trigger random steps within tracks - Send custom MIDI notes, CC, or PC messages - Execute actions at step start or end points - Chain multiple actions per step Perfect for controlling: - Pattern-based synthesizers and drum machines - Sequencer applications with multiple patterns - Hardware devices via MIDI CC/PC messages - Complex song arrangements and live performances - Any audio app supporting MIDI CC or AU parameter control PatternBud serves as the conductor for your electronic music setup, enabling you to create evolving compositions by orchestrating pattern changes across your entire rig. The application produces no audio itself - it focuses purely on MIDI control and timing. For AUv3 plugin usage, you'll need a compatible host application such as AUM, Cubase, apeMatrix, BeatMaker, or similar DAW software.

About

Groove Number

Analyze the rhythmic feel of your music with detailed swing percentage, BPM, and key analysis. Visualize your groove through various graphical displays and export it as MIDI for use in your DAW. All analysis is performed on-device for privacy.

Highlights
  • Swing % analysis
  • BPM estimation
  • Key detection
  • Multiple visualization modes
  • Audio file analysis
  • Live microphone analysis
  • Groove to MIDI export
  • Siri integration
Features
Read full description

how swung is your track? groove number gives you the number. drop in a song, record a clip, or open the live mic — groove number listens and tells you the one thing drum machines flatten and great players bend: the groove. 50% is dead straight. ~66% is full triplet swing. most music that feels good lives in between, around 54–62%. now you can see it. and it's not just the number. what it reads • swing % — the hero. one honest number for how far off the straight grid the groove sits. • bpm — dual-estimator with an octave guard, so 174 never gets called 87. nudge it ×2 / ÷2 or tap the tempo to lock it, and the swing recomputes against the corrected grid. • key — chroma + krumhansl-schmuckler with a tuning estimate, shown with a confidence read and the runner-up key, so a close call never hides. four ways to see it • meter — the number, front and center: swing %, bpm, and key in one calm readout. • swing grid — the signature view. every onset plotted against the straight 8th/16th grid, colored on-time, late, or rushing. you can see the pocket. • spectrogram — mel-scaled heatmap, quiet to loud, low to high, with a frequency + dB scale. • chromagram — the 12 pitch classes over time, tonic marked. how it listens • a file you drop in or pick (mp3, m4a, aac, wav, aiff, flac) • a clip you record — it listens and stops on its own the moment the groove locks • the live mic — a running bpm + swing read in the room, with a VU level meter and a live spectrogram one more thing • groove → midi — export the groove as a midi clip, swing baked into the note timing. drop it on a drum track in any daw and it plays your pocket. hands-free • siri: "what's the groove number of this song" records a clip and stops on its own. "start listening in groove number" opens live. "what was the last groove number" reads you the last result. • shortcuts: analyze audio file returns swing, bpm and key for any file, so you can tag a folder of samples by bpm. open in groove number sends a file straight in. built to be calm and honest • fully on-device. your audio is analyzed right on your iphone, ipad, or mac. nothing is uploaded. nothing is stored on a server. • no account. no sign-up. no ads. no tracking. • strongest on four-on-the-floor and electronic music. live, acoustic, and rubato material is harder — so groove number always shows its confidence and hands you the ×2/÷2 and tap-tempo overrides. wrong calls stay visible, never silent. one number for the feel of a track. plus everything you need to trust it.

Screenshots

PatternBud4 screens
Groove Number4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Groove Number at 5.0 against PatternBud's 4.3. Groove Number also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). PatternBud's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

PatternBud costs $4.99 and Groove Number $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Groove Number holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PatternBud has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PatternBud ships an update every 2 weeks, Groove Number every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PatternBud versus Groove Number: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatternBudGroove Number
Price$4.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.3 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCem OlcayJoshua Langberg

Customer experience

PatternBud

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral33.3%
Negative22.2%

Groove Number

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PatternBud

No in-app purchases

None

Groove Number

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PatternBud free?
PatternBud costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Groove Number free?
Groove Number costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PatternBud or Groove Number?
Groove Number is rated higher. PatternBud averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Groove Number averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PatternBud or Groove Number have ads?
Neither PatternBud nor Groove Number shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PatternBud or Groove Number?
PatternBud ships an update every 2 weeks, and Groove Number every 3 days. Most recently, PatternBud was updated on November 3, 2026 and Groove Number on November 5, 2026.

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