FingerBeat vs World Controller
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FingerBeat
Transform any sound into music with this pocket sampler and drum machine. Record audio, slice it into playable hits, and create beats using a step sequencer or keyboard. Mix live, overdub vocals, and share your creations instantly.
- Record and sample any sound
- Auto-slicing for playable kits
- Step sequencer and keyboard
- Live mixer with effects
- Tape recorder and audio editor
- Share projects and mixes
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Turn any sound into a beat. FingerBeat is a pocket sampler, drum machine and tape recorder built for making music on the go, with your fingers and no music theory whatsoever. Record anything with the microphone, drop it on a pad and start playing. Capture a whole instrument phrase and FingerBeat slices it into separate hits automatically, so one recording becomes a playable kit. Draw patterns in the step sequencer, tweak the mix live, sing over the top, and share the result in seconds. FingerBeat is completely free. No ads, no subscriptions, no locked features. MAKE BEATS FROM ANYTHING ● 8 low-latency stereo pads, each with its own channel ● Sample straight from the microphone, the built-in sound library, or any audio file ● Auto-slicing turns one recording into a set of playable hits ● Import music from your library (DRM-free tracks) or from the Files app ● Paste audio from other apps with AudioCopy 3 SEQUENCE WITHOUT THE THEORY ● Step sequencer: tap and draw boxes to build patterns, one color per channel ● 24 pattern blocks with up to 256 steps each ● Keyboard and note editor: what you play appears instantly and can be redrawn with a finger ● Shake to undo, or shake to randomize your sounds for happy accidents TAPE RECORDER AND AUDIO EDITOR ● Record whole sessions, jams, ideas and meetings for later ● Use the reels to set precise in and out points and pull loops ● Scratch over your beats with the tape while the sequencer plays, and overdub the performance ● Cut, paste and drag clips straight into pads PERFORM AND MIX LIVE ● Multi-touch mixer with live effects, designed for hands-on performance ● Live input monitoring so you can sing or rap over your beat in real time ● Audiobus support and Korg WIST wireless sync-start with other music apps ● Everything is saved automatically, so you pick up exactly where you left off SHARE ● Export mixes, loops and samples by AirDrop, Messages, Mail, Files or any app on your device ● Send whole beat projects to friends who use FingerBeat ● Also available through Finder and iTunes file sharing GOOD TO KNOW For the tightest timing, use wired headphones or a wired speaker. Bluetooth playback works but adds delay, which you will feel when playing the pads. FingerBeat is the new retro. No talent required. Just beat it! Privacy policy: https://fingerbeat.com/privacy-policy Questions or feedback: info@oktoid.org
World Controller
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World Controller was written to solve a particular problem I encountered in live performance. I needed a way to choose a Digital Performer chunk simultaneously on multiple computers, AND select a corresponding MainStage patch to play live parts against a track. Specifically, World Controller uses a wireless network MIDI session to control Digital Performer and MainStage at the same time. Any Mac Laptop on the same wifi network that subscribes to the wireless MIDI session (set up in Audio MIDI Setup) can respond to commands sent from World Controller, perfect for simultaneous control of multiple computers in a redundant playback situation. You can create a set list that can be edited and re-ordered any way you like. Each set list item provides a button to select a particular Digital Performer chunk, and another button to select a MainStage patch. There are also transport controls for Digital Performer playback as well (sent as Patch change commands to the DP Remote Commands), allowing you to start, stop and rewind the current chunk to zero. This app is optimized for use with these two pieces of software, and it is the missing link for me that enables seamless playback in a complex live performance situation. More features will come in subsequent versions, but right now, all the commands sent wirelessly are patch change commands on channels 15 and 16 (MainStage and DP respectively). Any musician on stage can now run the app and be connected via peer to peer networking to get live updates of the set list. Everybody see the same list and sees what song is cued up to be played next. There's nothing else out there that does this one specific thing!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: World Controller at none against FingerBeat's 2. FingerBeat's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. FingerBeat sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. World Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.
FingerBeat ships an update every 2 months, World Controller every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FingerBeat | World Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (65 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 65 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 137 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oktoid | Vandalay Industries |
In-app purchases
FingerBeat
- Pay monthly, cancel anytime$0.491 Month
- Pay once, enjoy forever$13.99
World Controller
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FingerBeat free?
Is World Controller free?
Do FingerBeat or World Controller have ads?
Which is updated more often, FingerBeat or World Controller?
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