# BAM vs Phase Monkey

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Phase Monkey at none against BAM's 11. Phase Monkey also leads on price ($5.99 vs $12.99) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). BAM's advantage is ratings volume (102 vs 19). On rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

BAM costs $12.99 and Phase Monkey $5.99 up front. BAM sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Phase Monkey asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for BAM against 4.8 for Phase Monkey. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BAM has 102 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of BAM's written reviews are positive against 71% of Phase Monkey's.

BAM ships an update every 3 weeks, Phase Monkey weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BAM | Phase Monkey |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $12.99 | **$5.99** |
| Rating | [4.8 (102 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bam-beat-maker-and-music-maker/id1637599765/reviews) | [4.8 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phase-monkey-poly-synth/id6452880369/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **102** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | **73.3% of reviews** | 71.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 490 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Imaginando Lda](https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015) | [Sketch Audio, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1699093348) |

## What reviewers say

### BAM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bam-beat-maker-and-music-maker/id1637599765)

This app is a professional music production tool that allows users to create beats, loops, and full tracks. It offers a versatile interface with built-in instruments, effects, and extensive sequencing capabilities. Users can also host AUv3 plugins and arrange music for live performance or export.

**Highlights:** Groovebox-style music production, AUv3 plugin host, Built-in instruments and effects, Step sequencer with 256 steps, MIDI clip and scene launcher, Full mixer controls, Clip-based parameter modulation

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fusion City Grooves | $8.99 | one-time |
| House Flavours Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Techno Flavours Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Bass Mechanics Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Ladera Nights Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Soulful Hip Hop Vol. 1 Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Urban Beats Vol. 1 Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Retro Future Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Brazilian Funk Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Urban Beats Vol. 2 Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Velvet Vibes | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive workflow
- 🎶 Great sound quality
- 💡 Innovative groovebox concept
- 🚀 Fast to get started
- 🎧 Excellent for live jamming

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashing/hanging
- 📉 High CPU usage
- 🤏 Small and hard-to-see controls
- 🤔 Counterintuitive for some users
- 🔊 Low resolution sound quality for price

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent hanging of the app
- Extension packs causing hangs (Velvet vibes, LN90s)
- App freezes in AUM and Drambo
- Loading audio stems is cumbersome and leads to freezing
- Random crashing frequently

**Requested features**

- More integrated effects & plugins
- Pause button for plugins
- CC Randomizer function
- Keyboard mode with multiple digital keyboards
- IAA (Inter-App Audio) support


### Phase Monkey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phase-monkey-poly-synth/id6452880369)

Explore a versatile digital synthesizer inspired by 1980s phase distortion technology. Create a wide range of sounds from warm pads to aggressive basses with its unique engine and eight-stage envelopes. Optimized for touch interaction, it also supports MIDI controllers and runs across Apple devices.

**Highlights:** Phase distortion synth engine, Eight-stage envelopes, Touch-first interface, AUv3 plugin support, Universal Apple purchase, MIDI controller support, iCloud preset syncing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BAM free?

BAM costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Phase Monkey free?

Phase Monkey costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BAM or Phase Monkey?

BAM and Phase Monkey are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 102 and 19 ratings respectively.

### Do BAM or Phase Monkey have ads?

Neither BAM nor Phase Monkey shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BAM or Phase Monkey?

BAM ships an update every 3 weeks, and Phase Monkey weekly. Most recently, BAM was updated on October 21, 2026 and Phase Monkey on October 9, 2026.

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