# SAND vs MIDI Drum

The clearest difference is rating: SAND at 4.6 against MIDI Drum's 3.7. SAND also leads on ratings volume (86 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SAND sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and MIDI Drum sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SAND holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAND has 86 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

SAND ships an update every 2 months, MIDI Drum every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SAND | MIDI Drum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-drum/id6475945376/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **86** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 79.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 54 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Matteo Caldari](https://appshunter.io/developer/325826466) | [InstaChord Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1579397634) |

## What reviewers say

### SAND

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684)

This app is a grid-based music sequencer that allows users to create compositions using AUv3 plugins and external MIDI devices. It offers extensive tools for arranging clips, editing notes, automating parameters, and routing MIDI.

**Highlights:** Grid-based MIDI sequencing, AUv3 plugin hosting, External MIDI device support, Advanced clip editing, Track and effect management, Song mode for arrangement, MIDI routing and mapping

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14-day trial | Free | one-time |
| 14 Days Trial | Free | one-time |
| Unlock | $9.99 | one-time |
| Audio Tracks | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great UI and features
- 💡 Potential for music creation
- 🚀 Fast and creative workflow
- 👍 Easy to use, no instructions needed
- 💡 Most usable studio on small screen

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Record function always starts
- 🐛 Sand not opening in overview
- 🐛 Integration with other apps seems off
- 🐛 Record does not pick up data
- 🐛 Cannot save ideas from one app to another

**Reported bugs**

- Record function always starts when entering Midi Instrument or FX
- Sand not opening in overview
- Integration with other apps seems off
- Record does not pick up data
- Cannot save ideas from one app to another

**Requested features**

- Sand always open in overview
- Long press in sequence track window
- Random/chance abilities in clips (Polyend Play style)
- Semi-generative function or scale-based patterns/sequences
- Save AUv3 presets


### MIDI Drum

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-drum/id6475945376)

Create and perform drum patterns with an 8-track sequencer. Connect to external instruments and apps via Bluetooth or USB MIDI. Share your creations and explore a library of user-made songs.

**Highlights:** 8-track drum sequencer, User-friendly interface, Live performance mode, General MIDI sound source, Bluetooth LE and USB MIDI support, Song library for sharing, Export Standard MIDI Files (paid add-on)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Save in proprietary format | $4.99 | one-time |
| Export as SMF | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SAND free?

SAND is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MIDI Drum free?

MIDI Drum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SAND or MIDI Drum?

SAND is rated higher. SAND averages 4.6 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while MIDI Drum averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do SAND or MIDI Drum have ads?

Neither SAND nor MIDI Drum shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SAND or MIDI Drum?

SAND ships an update every 2 months, and MIDI Drum every 3 weeks. Most recently, SAND was updated on October 14, 2026 and MIDI Drum on September 28, 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.*