Comparison

nanoloop vs tardigrain

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
Currently charting
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

tardigrain

Create unique sounds by breaking down samples into small fragments and playing them back non-linearly. Explore granular synthesis with adjustable grain size, direction, and step size. Enhance your audio with built-in effects, filters, and modulation options.

Highlights
  • Granular synthesis engine
  • Adjustable grain parameters
  • Built-in effects (reverb, wave shaper, crush)
  • Resonant filter
  • MIDI and MPE modulation
  • Sequencer/arpeggiator
  • LFO modulation
Features
Read full description

Tardigrain is a granular synthesiser for iOS that runs standalone or as an AU plugin. Sounds are created by taking smaller fragments of a sample and playing them back in a non linear fashion, with settings for grain size, direction, step size and more. Process the sound further through effects like reverb, wave shaper and sample crush. Tardigrain supports connections with AudioCopy, AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3. Plus all audio parameters can be modulated by MIDI, as AU parameters and by aftertouch on the build in keyboard. Now also a selected set of parameters can be modulated by LFOs och notes triggered by a new sequencer/arpeggiator. +++ Record your own samples or import using AudioCopy/drag'n drop +++ Chromatic granualar playpack +++ Effects (Wave shaper, Reverb, Sample crusher, Pitch and stereo spread) +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Keyboard and MPE modulation of any audio parameters +++ Note trigger sequencer/arpeggiator +++ 4 LFO sources for modulating a selected set of parameters +++ Multiple factory presets to get you started +++ Save and load your own settings and samples +++ Inter App Audio, AudioBus and AUv3 +++ Core MIDI, Inter App Audio MIDI and AUv3 MIDI

Screenshots

nanoloop4 screens
tardigrain4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: nanoloop at #154 against tardigrain's unranked. nanoloop also leads on price ($3.99 vs $5.99). tardigrain's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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 tardigrain $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for nanoloop against 4.5 for tardigrain. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 69 and 97 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of nanoloop's written reviews are positive against 76% of tardigrain's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
nanoloop versus tardigrain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameternanolooptardigrain
Price$3.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.4 (69 ratings)4.5 (97 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews — better75.6% of reviews
Number of ratings6997 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#154 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver WittchowErik Sigth

Customer experience

nanoloop

All ratings69 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral7.2%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews205 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative11.7%

tardigrain

All ratings97 ratings
Positive87.6%
Neutral4.1%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive75.6%
Neutral9.3%
Negative15.1%

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

tardigrain

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

nanoloop

No in-app purchases

None

tardigrain

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nanoloop free?
nanoloop costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is tardigrain free?
tardigrain costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, nanoloop or tardigrain?
tardigrain is rated higher. nanoloop averages 4.4 out of 5 from 69 ratings, while tardigrain averages 4.5 from 97 ratings.
Do nanoloop or tardigrain have ads?
Neither nanoloop nor tardigrain shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nanoloop or tardigrain?
nanoloop ships an update every 2 months, and tardigrain every 2 months. Most recently, nanoloop was updated on September 23, 2026 and tardigrain on September 23, 2026.

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