Pulsar vs Koto Master
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pulsar
This music app provides a virtual drum machine with 8 pads for improvising and playing along to built-in rhythm presets. It features real-time rhythm switching, tempo control, and various effects. It also supports Ableton Link and MIDI for seamless integration with other music software and hardware.
- 8-pad drum machine
- Built-in rhythm presets
- Real-time rhythm switching
- Tempo and accent control
- Drive, reverb, and filter effects
- Ableton Link synchronization
- MIDI In/Out support
- AUv3 compatibility
Read full descriptionHide full description
Pulsar-ES is a sample-based drum machine inspired by the Estradin Pulsar. Start with 128 factory rhythms, 64 in bank A and 64 in bank B, play the eight-pad kit, and edit MIDI notes and velocities. In version 1.0.8, Random rhythm generates a new pattern in the current slot. Swing adjusts the timing from 0 to 100%. Shape the sound with filter, reverb, overdrive, delay, chorus and compression. Save edited rhythms as separate user patterns; the factory patterns remain available. Open LINK for tempo-sync settings with compatible peers. Start/stop synchronization is a separate setting. With a MIDI output selected and a compatible route configured, send pattern notes to another instrument. In a plug-in host, routing depends on the host. For iPhone and iPad: standalone app and AUv3. Hosting, MIDI and Link features require the corresponding compatible setup.
Koto Master
Read full descriptionHide full description
The koto (箏) is a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument, and the national instrument of Japan. It is derived from the Chinese zheng and se, and similar to the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and ajaeng, the Vietnamese đàn tranh, the Sundanese kacapi and the Kazakhstan jetigen. Koto are roughly 180 centimetres (71 in) in length, and made from Paulownia wood (Paulownia tomentosa, known as kiri). The most common type uses 13 strings strung over movable bridges used for tuning, different pieces possibly requiring different tuning. 17-string koto are also common, and act as bass in ensembles. Koto strings are generally plucked using three fingerpicks (tsume), worn on the first three fingers of the right hand.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Pulsar at none against Koto Master's shown. Koto Master's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On in-app purchases 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
Pulsar costs $4.99 and Koto Master $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | Pulsar | Koto Master |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $2.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (7 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | — |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 130 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dmytro Kiro | SENSOR NOTES JOINT STOCK COMPANY |
In-app purchases
Pulsar
No in-app purchases
Koto Master
No in-app purchases









