Flare Scratch vs Koala Sampler
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Flare Scratch
This app simulates a high-torque DJ turntable, allowing users to scratch music from their iPod library or pre-loaded beat loops. It offers various classic scratching techniques and features like zoom mode for precision and mirror mode for left-handed users.
- Scratch iPod Library tunes
- High torque turntable simulation
- Loop player
- Zoom mode for precision
- Classic scratch techniques
- Mirror mode for left-handers
- Preloaded beat loops
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Scratch like a pro with Flare, the high torque DJ turntable. Either cut up the built-in records over a beatloop, or your own iPod Library tunes. Get this party started right with Flare, the undisputed Vinyl champion of the AppStore. "Pure Turntablism" --Vdrumpro999 Flare is a high torque turntable that fits in the palm of your hand, and features: • scratch your iPod Library tunes (!!!) • 1 high torque deck • 1 loop player • incredible vinyl sound • the ability to cut it up anywhere • zoom mode for precision scratching • transformer button capable of 11ms clicks • mirror mode for left handers • classic scratches: transformer, baby, tear, 1-click orbit • hamster switch • 5 preloaded beat loops produced by luke dubs, ready to cut over • 3 bundled battle records to get you started Coming soon: pitch control.
Koala Sampler
This app allows you to record sounds with your phone's microphone, transform them with effects, and create beats and tracks. Its intuitive interface focuses on a fast and fun music-making process.
- Record up to 64 samples with mic
- Apply 16 built-in effects
- Load and use own samples
- Create beats with high-resolution sequencer
- Export loops and tracks as WAV
- AI sample separation
- AUv3 and MIDI compatibility
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Koala is the ultimate pocket-sized sampler. Record anything with your phone's mic or load your own sounds. Use Koala to create beats with those samples, add effects and create a track! Koala's super intuitive interface helps you make a track in a flash - there is no brake pedal. You can also resample the output of the app back into the input, through the effects, so the sonic possibilities are endless. Koala's design focuses totally on making the music-making process instant, keeping you in the flow and keeping it fun, not getting bogged down by pages of parameters and micro-editing. "Been putting that $4 koala sampler to good use lately. Undeniably great tool that puts some of these expensive beat boxes to shame. A must cop." -- flying lotus, twitter * Record up to 64 different samples with your mic * Transform your voice or any other sound with 16 superb built-in fx * Load your own samples * Choose from one of 250 built-in sounds * Resample the output of the app back into a new sample * Export loops or entire tracks as professional quality WAV files * Direct export to Ableton Live Set * Copy/paste or merge sequences just by dragging them * Create beats with the high-resolution sequencer * Import samples from the Files app or even from videos * Keyboard mode lets you play chromatically or one of 9 scales * Quantize, add swing to get the right feel * Normal/One-shot/Loop/Reverse playback of samples * 6 Choke groups * Attack, release and tone adjustable on each sample * Mute/Solo controls and note repeat * Add any (or all) of the 16 effects to the entire mix * AUv3 compatible - use in GarageBand, Logic, Cubasis etc etc * MIDI controllable - play your samples on a keyboard, map the effects to knobs * Jam with others over WiFi with Ableton Link * Free copy of Ableton Live Lite included * AudioShare compatible * Use AI to separate samples into individual instruments (drums, bass, vocals and other) * Set your own background image and choose from a growing list of background visual FX 8 Built-in Microphone FX: * More Bass * More Treble * Fuzz * Robot * Reverb * Octave up * Octave down * Synthesizer 16 Built-in DJ Mix FX: * Bit-crusher * Pitch-shift * Comb filter * Ring modulator * Reverb * Stutter * Gate * Resonant High/Low Pass Filters * Cutter * Reverse * Dub * Tempo Delay * Talkbox * VibroFlange * Dirty * Compressor Features included in SAMURAI In-App Purchase * Pro-quality Timestretch (5 modes: Modern, Retro, Beats, Re-pitch and Cyclic) * Piano roll editor * Auto-chop (auto, equal, and lazy chop) * 3 Band EQ * Pocket operator sync out * Quokka Synth - powerhouse polyphonic synthesizer * MIDI Out - control external MIDI hardware with Koala's sequencer * Chopper - multimodal sample chopping instrument Features included in MIXER In-App Purchase * Mix your beats professionally with a 4 channel mixer + main bus * Route any sample to any channel * Mute/solo, faders and accurate metering on every channel * 5 effect slots per channel * 29 high-quality effects - compressors, filters, phasers and more, with new effects to come * Host AUv3 plugins - both audio effects and instruments
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Koala Sampler at 4.8 against Flare Scratch's 3.5. Koala Sampler also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 66%) and ratings volume (1.4K vs 71). Flare Scratch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, update cadence, 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
Flare Scratch costs $4.99 and Koala Sampler $4.99 up front. Koala Sampler sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Flare Scratch asks for nothing beyond the download.
Koala Sampler holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Koala Sampler has 1.4K ratings behind it against 71, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Flare Scratch's written reviews are positive against 88% of Koala Sampler's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Flare Scratch | Koala Sampler |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.5 (71 ratings) | 4.8 (1.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.9% of reviews | 88.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 71 | 1.4K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #5 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Async | Mazbox Limited |
Customer experience
Flare Scratch
Koala Sampler
User reviews
Flare Scratch
From 71 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Hardest working dev
- 👍 Realistic scratching experience
- 💡 Ability to use own music library
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashing issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔋 App not optimized for newer devices
Koala Sampler
From 1.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Smooth workflow and fast performance
- 💡 Powerful sampling and sequencing capabilities
- 🔥 Excellent value for the price
- 🎨 Creative and inspiring sound design
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔇 Limited effects and sound manipulation options
- 📁 Difficulty managing and organizing samples/projects
- 🎚️ Lack of advanced MIDI mapping and control options
- 🔍 Unclear or confusing UI elements in certain areas
Bugs and requests
Flare Scratch
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashing when adding music
- Inability to change loop or turntable tracks
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Pitch control
- Crab scratch button
- More skins/customization options
- Recording functionality
- Ability to load own beats/loops
Koala Sampler
Reported bugs
3 issues- Samples not loading or disappearing after app updates
- Sequencer timing and quantization issues
- Crashes when using certain features or with large projects
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to record and edit MIDI sequences
- More comprehensive effects and sound processing tools
- Improved sample management and organization features
- Support for external MIDI controllers and hardware integration
- Customizable color schemes and UI themes
In-app purchases
Flare Scratch
No in-app purchases
Koala Sampler
- Koala AUv3 Plugin$1.99
- Ese-O's Sample Pack$2.99
- Solar Studies Samplepack$2.99
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- Soon Come Dub Sample Pack$2.99
- Analog Astronaut Samplepack$2.99
- Cirrus Cuts Sample Pack$2.99
- Samurai Edition$3.99
- Mixer$4.99
Questions
Is Flare Scratch free?
Is Koala Sampler free?
Which has better reviews, Flare Scratch or Koala Sampler?
Do Flare Scratch or Koala Sampler have ads?
Which is updated more often, Flare Scratch or Koala Sampler?
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