Flare Scratch vs Roland Zenbeats
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.
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.
- Multitrack song composition
- ZR1 Drum Sampler
- ZC1 Synthesizer
- Sample import and editing
- Full-screen mixer
- LoopBuilder and Timeline view
- Cross-platform project sharing
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Flare Scratch ships an update every 3 weeks, Roland Zenbeats monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Flare Scratch | Roland Zenbeats |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.5 (71 ratings) | 3.7 (268 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.9% of reviews — better | 44.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 71 | 268 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 415 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Async | Roland Corporation |
Customer experience
Flare Scratch
Roland Zenbeats
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
Roland Zenbeats
From 268 App Store ratingsWhat 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
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- Customizable keyboard layout
In-app purchases
Flare Scratch
No in-app purchases
Roland Zenbeats
- 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
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- Roland Cloud Core Annual1 Month trial$29.991 Year
- 2 Store Points$1.99
- 4 Store Points$3.99
- 5 Store Points$4.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 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?
Is Roland Zenbeats free?
Which has better reviews, Flare Scratch or Roland Zenbeats?
Do Flare Scratch or Roland Zenbeats have ads?
Which is updated more often, Flare Scratch or Roland Zenbeats?
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