Comparison

theDrumDictionary vs Learn Drums

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

Head to head
About

theDrumDictionary

This app is a comprehensive resource for drummers and musicians to expand their rhythmic knowledge. It features all standard rudiments and a large collection of drum set beats with adjustable tempo audio and notation. An integrated metronome and practice tracking tools make it an ideal practice companion.

Highlights
  • 40 standard snare drum rudiments
  • Over 100 drum set beats
  • Tempo-adjustable audio examples
  • Integrated metronome
  • Practice time tracking
  • Customizable beat lists
Features
Read full description

"If you’re looking for a great resource to develop and maintain your beat vocabulary and rudimental proficiency, this is a great place to start." - Modern Drummer theDrumDictionary is a great tool for drummers, band leaders, producers, or anyone looking to learn more about drums. It includes all 40 standard snare drum rudiments and over 100 full drum set beats in a variety of styles. For each example, there is notation and tempo-adjustable audio. theDrumDictionary also includes a built-in metronome, making it a great all-in-one practice tool. For Practice: • Make the most of your practice time with the built-in metronome • Adjust the tempo of the example audio to help learn those tricky parts or to push your skill to the next level of speed • Keep track of your time spent practicing each beat or rudiment Lists: • Create a list of your favorite beats in different styles • Create lists for what you'd like to practice • Drum instructors, create a separate list for each of your students theDrumDictionary is also great for non-drummers who are interested in knowing a little about drums: band leaders who want to communicate better with their drummer, musicians who want to program realistic drum parts in their songs, and the list goes on... Entries include • All 40 standard snare drum rudiments • Over 100 drum set beats in a variety of styles: Rock, Jazz, World, Funk and more Contacts: • @GigBagApps • support@GigBagApps.com, for support, questions, suggestions • www.GigBagApps.com

About

Learn Drums

Master drumming with video-guided lessons designed for absolute beginners. Learn fundamental techniques, rhythm patterns, and various drumming styles at your own pace. This app provides a structured path to becoming a confident drummer, regardless of your equipment.

Highlights
  • Video-guided lessons
  • Fundamental techniques
  • Rhythm patterns and beats
  • Multiple drumming styles
  • Coordination exercises
  • Structured learning path
  • Practice routines
Features
Read full description

Learn drums from your first beat to playing full songs -- step-by-step, at your own pace, no drum kit required. Tap on your phone or tablet to practice along with real drum beats across rock, pop, blues, and funk. WHAT YOU GET Step-by-step drum lessons that start with the basics: how to hold the sticks, posture at the kit, and stick control. From there you build into full drum beats -- rock grooves, pop backbeats, blues shuffles, funk patterns -- one skill at a time. Video lessons from drum instructors who teach beginners for a living. Each tutorial focuses on one idea so you can see the technique, hear how it should sound, and copy it without guesswork. Slow-motion replays for the parts that trip everyone up. Drop the tempo, watch where the sticks land, then bring it back up to speed when your hands are ready. A song library arranged for beginners. Pick a track, play along, and use the visual feedback to see whether your timing is on the beat or drifting. This is where drum practice stops feeling like homework and starts sounding like music. NO DRUM KIT? START ANYWAY You don't need a kit to begin. Practice the grip, the rhythms, and the song parts on a tabletop, a practice pad, or right on the screen. When you do sit at a real kit later, the patterns are already in your hands. HOW IT'S BUILT FOR BEGINNERS Plain-language teaching. No music theory jargon thrown at you before you've played a single beat. If a lesson uses a word, it explains the word. Short sessions that fit a real day. Five minutes between meetings, fifteen before dinner -- progress comes from showing up, not from hour-long blocks you can never find. Honest pacing. You repeat a beat until it locks in, then move on. Skip ahead any time, or go back and re-watch a lesson without losing your place. Every drummer started where you are now -- counting one beat at a time. Download Learn Drums and play your first rhythm today. Terms of use - http://thecookbk.com/terms.php?appname=learn.drums.beginners Privacy Policy - http://thecookbk.com/privacy.php?appname=learn.drums.beginners

Screenshots

theDrumDictionary4 screens
Learn Drums4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: theDrumDictionary at 4.9 against Learn Drums's 4.4. theDrumDictionary also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (76% vs 55%). Learn Drums's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, 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

Both are free to download. Learn Drums sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. theDrumDictionary asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

theDrumDictionary holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 120 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of theDrumDictionary's written reviews are positive against 55% of Learn Drums's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

theDrumDictionary ships an update every 2 months, Learn Drums every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
theDrumDictionary versus Learn Drums: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertheDrumDictionaryLearn Drums
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (45 ratings) — better4.4 (120 ratings)
Positive reviews76.3% of reviews — better54.5% of reviews
Number of ratings45120 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS8.4 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHawks Hill Software, LLCRiafy Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Customer experience

theDrumDictionary

All ratings45 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive76.3%
Neutral12.2%
Negative11.5%

Learn Drums

All ratings120 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.0%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative40.9%

Bugs and requests

theDrumDictionary

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes on startup (older iOS versions)
  • Uneven single stroke roll with extra hits/flams
  • Audio warping when tempo changes
  • App stops when device goes to sleep
  • Inconsistent bass drum clarity
Show 1 more
  • Notation mismatches with audio playback

Requested features

20 requests
  • Tempo/speed control for practice
  • More beats and grooves across all genres
  • Odd time signatures (5/8, 7/8, 9/4, 11/4, 6/8, 7/4)
  • Highlighted note indicator during playback
  • Video demonstrations of techniques
Show 15 more
  • Drum fills and fill variations
  • Background playback capability
  • Practice history and progress tracking
  • Ability to create custom beats
  • Accelerating/decelerating metronome
  • More complex and advanced patterns
  • Sorting beats by practice time
  • Export notation and beat lists
  • Multi-user/student support
  • Rudiments numbered in learning order
  • Double bass drum beats
  • Finger drumming exercises
  • Sync across multiple devices
  • Note highlighting (karaoke-style)
  • Longer beat patterns

Learn Drums

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

theDrumDictionary

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Learn Drums

Subscriptions5
  • Learn Drums-Monthly Trial$8.991 Month
  • drum+beats+bass$11.491 Month
  • Learn to Play Drum$24.996 Months
Show 2 more
  • Learn Drums-Yearly Trial$29.991 Year
  • Drums- Easy Lessons6 Months trial$39.996 Months
One-time1
  • 7 days premium$2.99

Questions

Is theDrumDictionary free?
theDrumDictionary is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Learn Drums free?
Learn Drums is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, theDrumDictionary or Learn Drums?
theDrumDictionary is rated higher. theDrumDictionary averages 4.9 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Learn Drums averages 4.4 from 120 ratings.
Do theDrumDictionary or Learn Drums have ads?
Neither theDrumDictionary nor Learn Drums shows ads.
Which is updated more often, theDrumDictionary or Learn Drums?
theDrumDictionary ships an update every 2 months, and Learn Drums every 2 weeks. Most recently, theDrumDictionary was updated on September 18, 2026 and Learn Drums on September 24, 2026.

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