Comparison

nanoloop vs Ruismaker

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

Head to head
About

nanoloop

Create electronic music from scratch with this all-in-one tool. It features a sequencer, synthesizer, and sampler with extensive parameter automation. Easily share and export your creations.

Highlights
  • Sequencer for rhythm and melody
  • Parameter automation
  • 8-channel synth or sampler
  • Microphone sampling
  • MIDI sync and Ableton Link
  • Project sharing via email
  • WAV export
Features
Read full description

Nanoloop combines sequencer, synthesizer and sampler in one package. It provides all functions for creating electronic music from scratch. - Easy to use sequencer, suitable for rhythm and melody - Automatisation of all parameters - 8 channels, each can be synth or sampler - 8 patterns per channel - Sample via microphone - Re-sample - Polyphonic FM-, PWM- and noise synth - Song editor with loop function - Send and receive projects via e-mail - WAV export - Sharing projects and audio in file sharing apps like Dropbox is possible when these apps are installed. - MIDI sync with other devices - Ableton Link The Synth Nanoloop's FM synth offers a maximum of flexibility within a small set of parameters. It comes with a stereo modulator detune effect and covers the typical clean bells and Rhodes-like sounds, spheric pads, thick beats and basses. The Sequencer The stepsequencer visualises the rhythmic structure in a compact 4x4 square matrix, making it very easy to lay out patterns. The Sampler Besides A/D envelope, loop function, start offset, tune and fine tune, the puristic sampler comes without effects. You can record up to 6 seconds via microphone or copy samples via iTunes. Share With nanoloop for iPhone, you can send your saved projects to other nanoloop users and your own PC via e-mail. If nanoloop is installed on the recipient's iPhone / iPod, she/he can simply tap on the file name in the received e-mail to start nanoloop and import the attached file so that it is available for editing. This makes collaboration very easy, multiple users around the world can work on the same project by simply e-mailing the file. Export Songs can be exported to a WAV file that is accessible via iTunes (simply drag & drop files in finder). The exported file is also copied to the clipboard so that it can be pasted in other apps that support pasting audio. If a file sharing app like Dropbox is installed, you can upload the file there. More information can be found at the nanoloop website: www.nanoloop.com

About

Ruismaker

This app is an analog drumsynth that creates sounds using authentic synthesis algorithms, not samples. It features a creative Euclidean sequencer for pattern programming and integrates seamlessly with AUv3 hosts like Garageband. It offers customizable sound models and MIDI control for flexible music production.

Highlights
  • Analog and FM synthesis sound modeling
  • Sample-free sound generation
  • Euclidean sequencer
  • AUv3 compatibility
  • MIDI CC control
  • WAV and MIDI export
  • Ableton Link sync
Features
Read full description

What the reviews say: "A must-have drum synth for electronic music lovers on iOS" - Keyboard Mag "All of this comes together in a vision that’s really playable [...] this is another excellent choice for the iPad." - CreateDigitalMusic "Small, compact and easy to use, Ruismaker is both inexpensive and a perfectly credible choice if you are after solid drum synth sounds." - MusicAppBlog -- Ruismaker is a unique drumsynth plugin (i.e. it does not use samples), which is coupled with a creative Euclidean sequencer when run in standalone mode. The plugin is fully AUv3 (Audio Unit) compatible: - Seamless integration with Garageband and other AU hosts - Audio Unit Instrument: making music on iOS doesn't get more convenient - Supports Multi-Output AUv3 in AUM and ApeMatrix! - Each sound is modeled using authentic analog and FM algorithms; - Comes with dozens of unique customizable models - Does not use any samples; all sounds are synthesized in realtime, on the fly - Emulates analog components, introducing subtle, natural fluctuations in the sound - Light on the CPU, so you can run lots of Ruismakers simultaneously - Fully automatable parameters (requires host support) and MIDI CC controllable - Has its own preset manager The standalone sequencer is refreshingly different: - Program patterns using Euclidean algorithms - Powerful random feature and mutation probability settings per channel - Syncs with Ableton Link or MIDI Clock - Exports WAV and MIDI - Compatible with Audiobus 3 (including MIDI IN/OUT mode) - CoreMIDI In and Out - AU MIDI output for the on-screen pads User manual available on Ruismaker.com

Screenshots

nanoloop4 screens
Ruismaker2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ruismaker at 4.8 against nanoloop's 4.5. Ruismaker also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). nanoloop's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

nanoloop costs $3.99 and Ruismaker $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ruismaker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 58 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of nanoloop's written reviews are positive against 74% of Ruismaker's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

nanoloop ships an update every 5 months, Ruismaker every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
nanoloop versus Ruismaker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternanoloopRuismaker
Price$3.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.5 (70 ratings)4.8 (58 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews — better74.1% of reviews
Number of ratings70 — better58
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver WittchowBram Bos

Customer experience

nanoloop

All ratings70 ratings
Positive84.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews205 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative11.7%

Ruismaker

All ratings57 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive74.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative20.4%

User reviews

nanoloop

From 70 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
  • 🚀 Powerful sound synthesis and sampling capabilities
  • 💡 Unique and creative workflow
  • 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing minimalist design
  • 🎶 Excellent for chiptune and lo-fi music creation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 🔇 Limited default oscillator waveforms
  • 🔍 Confusing or lacking documentation in some areas
  • 🔌 Difficulty with exporting/sharing created music

Ruismaker

From 58 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 Great analog drum sounds
  • 🔌 AUv3 support
  • 💻 Standalone and AUv3 use
  • ✨ Flexible sound design
  • 📱 User-friendly interface

Room to improve

  • ❌ No sound and crashes
  • 🐛 Crashes on drum pad press
  • 🐛 Empty screen on iPhone
  • 🐛 Interface portions cut off
  • 🐛 Delay and reverb missing in plugin mode

Bugs and requests

nanoloop

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Saving and file management issues on certain iOS versions
  • Microphone/sampling functionality not working reliably
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expanded waveform options for the default oscillator
  • Improved pattern/sequence editing tools
  • Addition of more built-in effects and sound processing
  • Seamless integration with other music apps and MIDI devices

Ruismaker

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Crashes when pressing drum pads
  • Empty screen on iPhone 11 Pro
  • Interface cut off in standalone mode
  • Delay and reverb controls missing in plugin mode
  • Plugin mode does not use built-in sequencer
Show 9 more
  • Randomize button not controllable via MIDI
  • Cannot switch active pad without triggering in AU mode
  • Pad labels not visible in AU mode
  • App frequently causes GarageBand to quit
  • App crashes on load as an AU in GarageBand
  • GarageBand crashes on startup until Ruismaker is uninstalled
  • App does not open
  • App does not function on iPad 3
  • App only loads instructions

Requested features

12 requests
  • Randomize button for external MIDI control
  • Patch randomize function for MIDI control
  • Adjust note resolution for Euclidean sequencer
  • Ratchet option for sequencer
  • Manually edit hits on the grid
Show 7 more
  • Apply Randomize to a single sound or selection
  • Switch active pad without triggering in AU mode
  • Replace numbers with abbreviations on pads
  • Map sounds to Cubasis standard pads
  • Larger pitch adjustment range for some sounds
  • Add delay and reverb controls in plugin mode
  • Allow plugin mode to use built-in sequencer

In-app purchases

None

nanoloop

No in-app purchases

None

Ruismaker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nanoloop free?
nanoloop costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ruismaker free?
Ruismaker costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, nanoloop or Ruismaker?
Ruismaker is rated higher. nanoloop averages 4.5 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while Ruismaker averages 4.8 from 58 ratings.
Do nanoloop or Ruismaker have ads?
Neither nanoloop nor Ruismaker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nanoloop or Ruismaker?
nanoloop ships an update every 5 months, and Ruismaker every 5 weeks. Most recently, nanoloop was updated on October 31, 2026 and Ruismaker on November 2, 2026.

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