Comparison

Pulsar vs Heavier Metal

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

Heavier Metal

This music plugin emulates a classic 1990s distortion pedal with advanced digital modeling. It offers full parametric control, capturing the original circuit's behavior for a wide range of guitar tones. Optimized for low CPU usage and low latency, it's compatible with various AUv3 hosts.

Highlights
  • Parametric NAM distortion model
  • Recreates original pedal behavior
  • Mid-forward gain, tight low-end
  • AUv3 plugin for Mac/iOS
  • Native Apple Silicon support
  • Ultra-low CPU, near-zero latency
Features
Read full description

Heavier Metal is a modern distortion plugin based on one of the most aggressive pedals of the 1990s. Built using Artera DSP’s Parametric NAM engine, it delivers not just the sound — but the full behavior of the original circuit. Every knob. Every nuance. Captured with precision. This isn’t a snapshot. Heavier Metal is fully parametric — meaning all front-panel controls respond just like the original analog pedal. From razor-sharp riffs to soaring leads, it gives you the full expressive range of the original hardware, with the flexibility of a native plugin. Key Features – Fully parametric NAM model — not a static capture – Recreates the full tone-shaping behavior of the original HM-style pedal – Mid-forward gain structure with massive sustain and tight low-end – AUv3 plugin for macOS and iOS – Native support for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) – Ultra-low CPU usage and near-zero latency Compatibility Heavier Metal runs in any AUv3-compatible host such as Logic Pro (Mac/iPad), GarageBand (Mac/iOS), AUM, Cubasis, and more. Available exclusively on the App Store.

Screenshots

Pulsar4 screens
Heavier Metal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Heavier Metal at 5.0 against Pulsar's 4.3. Heavier Metal also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%). Pulsar's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $12.99) and ratings volume (7 vs 2). 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

Pulsar costs $4.99 and Heavier Metal $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Heavier Metal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Pulsar's written reviews are positive against 100% of Heavier Metal's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pulsar versus Heavier Metal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPulsarHeavier Metal
Price$4.99 — better$12.99
Rating4.3 (7 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDmytro KiroReinarc LLC

Customer experience

Pulsar

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

Heavier Metal

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Pulsar

No in-app purchases

None

Heavier Metal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pulsar free?
Pulsar costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Heavier Metal free?
Heavier Metal costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pulsar or Heavier Metal?
Heavier Metal is rated higher. Pulsar averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Heavier Metal averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Pulsar or Heavier Metal have ads?
Neither Pulsar nor Heavier Metal shows ads.

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