Pulsar vs RetroSFX
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
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Make beats anywhere with Pulsar-ES, an authentic preset drum machine expanded into a mobile groovebox for iPhone and iPad. Inspired by the rare Soviet/Ukrainian PULSAR hardware, Pulsar-ES keeps the original industrial rhythm-box character while adding the missing modern features producers expect: MIDI editing, deeper FX, Ableton Link sync, AUv3 workflow, and mobile project control. Play ideas fast on the 4x2 drum pad grid, then turn them into full patterns with the MIDI Clip Editor. Draw, move, and resize notes directly on the grid so your rhythm stays editable after the first take. Shape your sound with a hands-on FX rack built for quick decisions: - Filter with low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and notch modes - Reverb with room, hall, and plate spaces - Overdrive with overdrive, distortion, fuzz, and tube modes - Delay with digital, tape, and ping-pong modes - Chorus and compressor for extra movement and control Pulsar-ES also supports Ableton Link sync, project save/load, rhythm presets, and a portrait layout designed for making music on the go. Start a beat, edit every note, shape it with FX, and keep your ideas moving.
RetroSFX
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RetroSFX is a powerful and easy‑to‑use tool for creating retro‑style sound effects. Whether you’re a game developer, content creator, or simply a fan of classic audio, this app gives you everything you need to generate unique SFX with a single tap.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: RetroSFX at $0.99 against Pulsar's $4.99. Pulsar's advantage is device support and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence and in-app purchases 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 RetroSFX $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Pulsar ships an update every 3 weeks, RetroSFX every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pulsar | RetroSFX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (7 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 61 MB | 133 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dmytro Kiro | Ali Taleb |
In-app purchases
Pulsar
No in-app purchases
RetroSFX
No in-app purchases









