Comparison

ThumbJam vs Tera Pro

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

Head to head
About

ThumbJam

This app provides a powerful musical performance experience with over 40 high-quality instrument sounds and hundreds of scales. It allows users of all skill levels to play in any style, offering expressive controls and loop-building capabilities.

Highlights
  • Over 40 high-quality multi-sampled instruments
  • Hundreds of included scales for any style
  • Expressive controls using tilt and shake
  • Loop building and audio export
  • Extensive MIDI and Audiobus support
  • Powerful arpeggiator feature
Features
Read full description

ThumbJam is a powerful musical performance experience. You get over 40 high-quality real instruments multi-sampled exclusively for this app. Hundreds of included scales allow you to effortlessly play in any style from rock to classical, whether you are a musical novice or a seasoned professional. ---====--- Jordan Rudess, the world-renowned keyboardist for Dream Theater says: "ThumbJam stands at the very top of the overcrowded music app world. The sounds included absolutely rival those found in pro instruments and making music on the app is a total joy. The only problem I have with this app is that I did not make it myself! Luckily, I'm able to work with the developer and offer a few good feature ideas as well as some choice sounds from my personal collection!" ---======---- Even if you've only played air guitar, ThumbJam lets you sound like a pro. Pick an instrument and jam -- with all the scales to choose from you'll never hit a wrong note. The high quality instrument samples will make you sound like you just skipped years of music lessons. For the performing musician, this app is awesome for soloing on an instrument you didn't bring along. Play in any key, any style -- go from a string ensemble to a wailing guitar. ThumbJam was developed and tested by musicians to feel and sound like a real instrument. You'll be surprised at how expressive it can be, make sure to check out the videos and audio at thumbjam.com. ThumbJam makes use of tilt and shake to add vibrato, tremolo, note bends, and volume swells for more realistic and expressive results. It supports up to five (eleven on iPad) simultaneous touches and up to 32 voice polyphony, for each of up to 8 loaded instruments! Delay and stereo reverb add depth to the sound, and a resonant lowpass filter gives you more tone shaping power. Put on your headphones or plug in to your home stereo to experience some of the highest quality instruments in the App Store, even after all these years! Build your own loops from the ground up or import your favorites and jam from there. Layer as many loops as you want, with different instruments for each. Export your loops as audio files via WiFi. Copy and paste audio from other apps using AudioCopy/Paste as well the general pasteboard, via email, AudioShare, iTunes Document Sharing, Files, or open directly in another application. Supports Audiobus and InterApp Audio for streaming sound to/from other apps in real-time, including state save/restore with Audiobus 3. Extensive MIDI input and output support over WiFi or Bluetooth, with any CoreMidi compatible device, or other apps on the same iOS device with virtual MIDI. Now also supports Ableton Link for tight sync between apps on the same network. Supports MPE input and output (and did so before it was even a thing)! New powerful arpeggiator feature lets you play patterns with perfect time sync, from the screen or via MIDI control. The app includes a huge variety of scales, from western to eastern. Save your favorites for quick access, or create your own in-app. You can even import new scales in the Scala format for complete flexibility. You can also record your own multi-sampled instruments using a built-in or attached microphone, or from file import. Included instruments: + Cello, Violin, Viola + Upright Bass (plucked and bowed) + Several drumkits + Darabukka + Djembe + Electric Guitar + Electric Bass + Trumpet + Trombone + Tenor Sax + Flute + Low Whistle + Acoustic Guitar + Hammered Dulcimer + Mandolin + Cittern + Grand Piano + Drawbar Organ (2 types) + Rhodes + Pipe Organ + Synth Strings + Synth Choir + Theremin + Sawtooth Waveform + Sine Waveform + Triangle Waveform And from Jordan Rudess: + JR Zendrix + JR Smooth Steel Many more for immediate FREE download in the app including several drumkits, Mellotron, basses, banjo, tabla, ukelele, guitars and more! Go to the Sound menu under Download Samples....

About

Tera Pro

Explore a vast array of sound synthesis methods, from analog emulations to modern digital techniques. Combine modules for unique sonic textures, enhanced by an intelligent interface and realtime visual feedback. Expand your sound palette with additional modules available through in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Multiple synthesis methods (analog, FM, spectral, additive)
  • Physical modeling and wave shaping
  • Intelligent user interface with realtime scopes
  • Flexible module routing
  • 128-voice polyphony with vintage voice modeling
  • Seamless sound switching
  • Extensive preset library
Features
Read full description

Tera Pro brings together all major sound synthesis methods on one table. No matter if you want to recreate sounds from analogue legends or explore modern digital sounds with FM, Waveshaping or Wavetable synthesis. More can be added by In-App Purchases of new modules. Add some flavour of physical modelling and modules for additive synthesis. Combine them altogether for new sound experiences far beyond your wildest dreams. Tame this overwhelming amount of possibilities with Tera Pros intelligent user interface showing you only exactly what you need, paired with realtime oscilloscopes and level indicators helping you seeing what’s going on. Connect the modules with a flexible routing method without the visual cluttering of real wire cables needed in conventional modular synthesisers FAQ What does Tera Pro have that Tera Synth doesn't have ? 1) Additional Sound Modules - Spectrum oscillator ( borrowed from the heart of Addictive Synth ) - Wave shaper / folder opens the west coast synthesis - Vocal Morphing filter - KARPLUS (aka WaveGuide ) with new "Swarm" mode ( 3 detuned delays ) 2) Revised engine - Analog Polysynth Voice Modelling with characteristic subtle voice variations of timbre, pitch and temporal behaviour to get you "The" Analog Sound. - 128 vs 32 voices polyphony - Seamless Sound Switching: change presets during play without cutting off the sound. - 8 times unison for really heavy ambients - Envelope generators with Buchla style "end of cycle" trigger for generative music - Stack/Split Sounds - New effect section 3) Redesigned User Interface - Collapsible modules for clear view of modular structure - No more nasty popups for LFOs/Envelope generators - Realtime oscilloscopes added to selected modules 4) New Presets - About 1000 additional presets in there. Tera never sounded this good... Tera Pro Specifications - 128 voice Modular polyphonic Synthesiser - Mono/Dual/Split Voice Architecture - Modules for analog and FM synthesis - Modules for Spectral Synthesis and Additive Synthesis - Karplus Strong Physical Modelling and Wave Shaping - MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) - Vintage voice modelling for organic warm sound character - 1800+ Factory presets included - PDF Manual included - Standalone, AUv3 and IAA compatible - Ableton Link - Bluetooth MIDI - ... Additional modules through In-App Purchases: - Classic Wavetable synthesis with Import - Classic 6-OP FM Synthesis fully compatible to DX7 sysex files. - BrainZ multiple synthesis module based on MI Plaits Eurorack module. - RingZ physical modelling module based on MI Rings Eurorack module. - CloudZ granular synthesis module based on MI Clouds Eurorack module.

Screenshots

ThumbJam4 screens
Tera Pro2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ThumbJam at none against Tera Pro's 6. ThumbJam also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 69%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). Tera Pro's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

ThumbJam costs $6.99 and Tera Pro $6.99 up front. Tera Pro sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. ThumbJam asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for ThumbJam against 4.6 for Tera Pro. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 220 and 154 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of ThumbJam's written reviews are positive against 69% of Tera Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ThumbJam ships an update every 4 months, Tera Pro every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ThumbJam versus Tera Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThumbJamTera Pro
Price$6.99$6.99
Rating4.7 (220 ratings) — better4.6 (154 ratings)
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews — better69.4% of reviews
Number of ratings220 — better154
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size215 MB306 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSonosaurus LLCHarry Gohs

Customer experience

ThumbJam

All ratings218 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews298 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral4.4%
Negative11.1%

Tera Pro

All ratings155 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral18.1%
Negative12.5%

User reviews

ThumbJam

From 220 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Great sound quality
  • 🎹 Versatile and expressive instrument
  • 🎶 Excellent for music creation and improvisation
  • 💻 Powerful MIDI capabilities
  • 🎨 Realistic instrument samples

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Lack of chord mode
  • 🔢 Difficulty with precise note selection
  • 🔀 Issues with loop recording and syncing
  • 🔋 Battery drain concerns
  • 🚫 Compatibility problems with newer devices/OS

Tera Pro

From 154 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 Exceptional sound quality and versatile synthesis capabilities
  • 💡 Innovative modular workflow with flexible architecture
  • 🎛️ Extensive preset library (1000+ presets)
  • 🔧 Powerful sound design tools with multiple synthesis types
  • 📱 Available on both iOS and macOS (M1)

Room to improve

  • 🎮 Steep learning curve and complex UI
  • ⌨️ Unconventional on-screen keyboard design
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 🔊 Dangerously loud output without limiter
  • ⚙️ UI elements sometimes unresponsive or laggy

Bugs and requests

ThumbJam

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Instrument muting when switching apps or opening help
  • Inconsistent behavior and freezing after recent updates
  • Inability to load/save recorded sets or mixes

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add chord mode for easier chord playing
  • Improve loop recording and syncing capabilities
  • Implement quantization options for tighter timing
  • Expand instrument library with more diverse sounds
  • Add support for Audio Unit (AUv3) to integrate with DAWs
Show 1 more
  • Improve interface for adjusting octave/span across multiple instruments

Tera Pro

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • App crashes on macOS and iOS
  • Piano keyboard not appearing
  • Wavetable module IAP producing no sound
  • In-app purchases disappearing or not activating
  • Presets causing white noise or feedback blasts
Show 12 more
  • UI glitches preventing parameter adjustment
  • Randomize function not working with wavetable oscillators
  • Arpeggiator losing sync in AUM
  • No sound output until patch toggling
  • LFO panel crashes when adjusting settings
  • Wavetable oscillator remaining silent
  • MIDI Learn settings not clearable
  • App not appearing in iPad Settings or Files app
  • Patches with feedback that require MIDI Panic
  • Inconsistent oscillator routing display
  • Parameter adjustment randomly not working
  • Sample rate unable to be changed

Requested features

15 requests
  • Undo/Redo functionality
  • MIDI Panic button (prominent placement)
  • Output limiter for safety
  • Standard black and white keyboard option
  • Favorites/bookmarking system for presets
Show 10 more
  • MIDI Learn reset/clear functionality
  • Key Hold button on main screen
  • Sampler module
  • Many-to-many modulation matrix
  • Fully dark theme on all UI screens
  • MIDI Program Change support
  • Solo and Mute buttons for oscillators
  • Partial number indicators for spectral oscillator
  • Better file system integration for backups
  • Improved velocity/aftertouch separation on keyboard

In-app purchases

None

ThumbJam

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Tera Pro

One-time6
  • Library WaveShaper$0.99
  • Module Waves$5.99
  • FM 7 module$5.99
Show 3 more
  • Module RingZ$5.99
  • Module BrainZ$6.99
  • Module CloudZ$9.99

Questions

Is ThumbJam free?
ThumbJam costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tera Pro free?
Tera Pro costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ThumbJam or Tera Pro?
ThumbJam is rated higher. ThumbJam averages 4.7 out of 5 from 220 ratings, while Tera Pro averages 4.6 from 154 ratings.
Do ThumbJam or Tera Pro have ads?
Neither ThumbJam nor Tera Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ThumbJam or Tera Pro?
ThumbJam ships an update every 4 months, and Tera Pro every 5 days. Most recently, ThumbJam was updated on November 1, 2026 and Tera Pro on November 3, 2026.

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