FingerBeat vs Pianola
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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
Pianola
This app turns your MIDI-capable piano into an interactive music player. Connect wirelessly or via USB to play your MIDI files, control tempo and pitch, and organize your music library. It's designed for an intuitive and effortless musical experience.
- Wireless Bluetooth MIDI connection
- USB MIDI support
- Library and playlist management
- Adjustable tempo and pitch
- Background playback
- Includes a starter MIDI library
Read full descriptionHide full description
Pianola transforms your MIDI-capable piano into an effortless musical experience. Whether you have a digital piano or an acoustic piano outfitted with a PianoDisc, QRS PNOmation, or Yamaha Disklavier system, Pianola makes playing your favorite songs as easy as do-re-mi. Connect iPhone or iPad to your piano wirelessly via Bluetooth or with a USB MIDI adapter, browse your MIDI file collection, and let the music play! Key Features • Wireless Bluetooth MIDI — Connect to any BLE-MIDI compatible device with a single tap. • USB MIDI Support — Connect using a USB to MIDI adapter or a USB OTG cable on supported devices. • Simple Library Management — Browse MIDI files from your device, iCloud, or network storage. Create playlists to organize your music. • Tempo Control — Speed up or slow down playback. • Velocity Curves — Fine-tune the dynamics to suit your piano and room acoustics. • Pitch Adjustment — Transpose playback in real-time. Great for vocalists who want to sing along. • Background Playback — Music keeps playing while you use other apps. • Ready to Play — Includes a MIDI library to get the party started. Designed for Everyone Pianola offers an interface that feels familiar and intuitive. Large, clear controls. No hidden menus. No overwhelming options. Just the features you need, right where you expect them. Transform your piano into the jukebox it was meant to be!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: FingerBeat at Free against Pianola's $0.99. FingerBeat also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (66 vs 1). Pianola's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On ads 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
FingerBeat is free to download; Pianola costs $0.99 up front. FingerBeat sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.49 per month. Pianola asks for nothing beyond the download.
FingerBeat holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FingerBeat has 66 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of FingerBeat's written reviews are positive against 100% of Pianola's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
FingerBeat ships an update every 2 months, Pianola fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FingerBeat | Pianola |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (66 ratings) — better | 4.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 66 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 137 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oktoid | Darrel Farris |
Customer experience
FingerBeat
Pianola
In-app purchases
FingerBeat
- Pay monthly, cancel anytime$0.491 Month
Pianola
No in-app purchases









