Comparison

Flare Scratch vs Roland Zenbeats

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Roland Zenbeats

Create music anywhere, anytime on any device. Build beats, compose songs, and sample sounds with a vast library of modern and legendary Roland sounds. Edit, refine, and mix your tracks with powerful tools and share your creations easily.

Highlights
  • Multitrack song composition
  • ZR1 Drum Sampler
  • ZC1 Synthesizer
  • Sample import and editing
  • Full-screen mixer
  • LoopBuilder and Timeline view
  • Cross-platform project sharing
Features
Read full description

Find your creative flow. Roland Zenbeats is a music creation app that keeps you in an effortless artistic flow. Get started on any mobile device or computer platform and make music anywhere, anytime. With its collection of both modern and legendary sounds, Zenbeats brings Roland’s history of innovation into a new, mobile-friendly format. The app is your instrument. Whether you’re an emerging musician or an established producer, Zenbeats makes music creation easy. Build beats, compose full multitrack songs, or sample the world around you. Wherever you are, no matter what platform or device you use, capture your creative spark with Zenbeats. A universe of sound. Whatever style you’re working in, you’ll find the perfect sounds for your tracks in Zenbeats. From vintage Roland JUNO and JUPITER tones to diverse and progressive instruments for any genre, the 14,000-plus presets will keep your compositions fresh and exciting. ZR1. The future of beatmaking. Our ZR1 Drum Sampler is a new kind of beat machine. Fast track your percussive prowess with seminal Roland drum tones from the TR-808, TR-909, and more. Sample your world. Sample and import directly into ZR1’s drum pads with the touch of a finger. Edit. Refine. Repeat. Tweak your sounds with advanced editing functionality. Manipulate and chop your one-shot samples with the slice editor and quickly crop and fade as needed. ZC1. Roland’s most advanced synth engine. ZC1 is a versatile synthesizer based on our powerful ZEN-Core Synthesis System. The free version features signature Roland synth sounds and 60 presets, driven by a sleek touch-based interface with an X/Y pad for easy sound manipulation. When you unlock the full version of ZC1, you get over 900 additional presets and 90 MFX that are all fully compatible with ZENOLOGY and supported ZEN-Core hardware. Deep MIDI and audio power at your fingertips. The Zenbeats ecosystem offers tons of time-saving tools to document, edit, and refine your ideas. Quickly capture and play sounds with LoopBuilder, or use a traditional approach with the Timeline view for more sophisticated arrangements and automation options. Fresh sounds. Fresh ideas. The Zenbeats Store is loaded with sounds, loops, and creative tools to expand your musical palette. Whatever sound or genre you’re chasing, the Zenbeats Store has you covered. All sounds are royalty-free and new tones are added weekly. Mix and match. With the full-screen mixer view, it’s simple to control volume, filter, panning, and more. Browse through 17 native FX, EQ tracks to your liking, and balance all your audio, instrument, and drum tracks from one streamlined location. Easy Sharing. Effortless transfers between phone, tablet, and desktop make the distance between you and your finished product even shorter. Use Google Drive™ or OneDrive to share Zenbeats projects and export stems and loops for use in other DAWs. Free, unlock, or membership. The choice is yours. With the free version of Zenbeats, you get music production essentials plus the ability to purchase additional loops and presets in the Zenbeats Store. When you’re ready to expand, there are three ways to unlock the full Zenbeats experience: Platform Unlock: Get all features, instruments, and effects on your favorite platform. Platform Unlock includes over 2,500 presets, loops, and sounds (2.5 GB), ZR1 Drum Sampler with sampling/editing, ZC1 Synthesizer with 90 built-in MFX, full SampleVerse modular synthesizer with editor, VST/AU/AUv3 support, and unlimited mixing and export capabilities. Max Unlock: Get all features, instruments, effects, and store packs on all platforms and devices. Roland Cloud Membership: All Roland Cloud membership tiers include Zenbeats Max Unlock. All memberships come with Zenbeats Max Unlock for as little as $2.99 USD per month.

Screenshots

Flare Scratch3 screens
Roland Zenbeats4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Roland Zenbeats at Free against Flare Scratch's $4.99. Roland Zenbeats also leads on ratings volume (268 vs 71) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Flare Scratch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and review sentiment (66% vs 44%). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Roland Zenbeats is free to download; Flare Scratch costs $4.99 up front. Roland Zenbeats sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Flare Scratch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Roland Zenbeats holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 71 and 268 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of Flare Scratch's written reviews are positive against 44% of Roland Zenbeats's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flare Scratch ships an update every 3 weeks, Roland Zenbeats monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Flare Scratch versus Roland Zenbeats: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlare ScratchRoland Zenbeats
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (71 ratings)3.7 (268 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.9% of reviews — better44.3% of reviews
Number of ratings71268 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB415 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAsyncRoland Corporation

Customer experience

Flare Scratch

All ratings71 ratings
Positive60.6%
Neutral11.3%
Negative28.2%
Written reviews223 reviews
Positive65.9%
Neutral12.6%
Negative21.5%

Roland Zenbeats

All ratings268 ratings
Positive62.3%
Neutral13.4%
Negative24.3%
Written reviews264 reviews
Positive44.3%
Neutral18.9%
Negative36.7%

User reviews

Flare Scratch

From 71 App Store ratings

What 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

Roland Zenbeats

From 268 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth workflow
  • 👍 Comprehensive feature set
  • 🎨 High-quality sounds
  • 💻 Cross-platform compatibility
  • 🤖 Powerful synth engine

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔍 Confusing UI navigation
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🔌 Poor MIDI integration
  • 🔋 Battery drain

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

Roland Zenbeats

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Disappearing audio files
  • Unresponsive MIDI learn
  • Incompatibility with iOS 13
  • Broken tutorial screens
  • Inconsistent plugin behavior

Requested features

6 requests
  • Improved MIDI support
  • Audio file export options
  • Sidechain compression
  • Deeper synth editing capabilities
  • Audiobus/IAA compatibility
Show 1 more
  • Customizable keyboard layout

In-app purchases

None

Flare Scratch

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

Roland Zenbeats

Subscriptions4
  • Roland Cloud Core Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Roland Cloud Pro Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Roland Cloud Ultimate Monthly1 Month trial$19.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Roland Cloud Core Annual1 Month trial$29.991 Year
One-time8
  • 2 Store Points$1.99
  • 4 Store Points$3.99
  • 5 Store Points$4.99
Show 5 more
  • 7 Store Points$6.99
  • 8 Store Points$7.99
  • 10 Store Points$9.99
  • 15 Store Points$14.99
  • 30 Store Points$29.99

Questions

Is Flare Scratch free?
Flare Scratch costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Roland Zenbeats free?
Roland Zenbeats is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Flare Scratch or Roland Zenbeats?
Roland Zenbeats is rated higher. Flare Scratch averages 3.5 out of 5 from 71 ratings, while Roland Zenbeats averages 3.7 from 268 ratings.
Do Flare Scratch or Roland Zenbeats have ads?
Neither Flare Scratch nor Roland Zenbeats shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flare Scratch or Roland Zenbeats?
Flare Scratch ships an update every 3 weeks, and Roland Zenbeats monthly. Most recently, Flare Scratch was updated on October 29, 2026 and Roland Zenbeats on October 29, 2026.

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