Comparison

Kantil vs Beat Blocks

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

Head to head
About

Kantil

Features
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World's first iPhone/iPad implementation of the main instruments of a Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar! The Kantil is 10-key metallophone in the Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar that is the smallest in the gangsa. It produces the highest-pitched sounds and is important in supporting the main melody. A pair of kantil plays interlocking parts called kotekan. * Authentic sound bank sampled directly from real instruments * User interaction designed to replicate true playing experience * Playing sound can be stopped --- essential for Gamelan! * High-quality photos showcasing real instruments * Optimized for ultra-low latency audio playback * Zoomable views for detailed instrument exploration * Customizable display of cipher notations to suit your preferences * Completely ad-free for uninterrupted enjoyment

About

Beat Blocks

This app offers a fun and interactive rhythm training experience for musicians. It features three distinct visualization modes to help users master timing and sight-reading, with a custom rhythm editor for advanced practice.

Highlights
  • Three unique rhythm visualization modes
  • Custom rhythm editor (premium)
  • Curated rhythm benchmarks
  • Professional metronome
  • One-time unlock for lifetime access
Features
Read full description

Beat Blocks is an interactive rhythm practice app built for players at every level. See the beat, build your own patterns, play along, and strengthen your timing with multiple ways to visualize rhythm. 4 Unique Visualization Modes: - Beat Blocks Mode: The signature dot-grid view. Notes and rests become clear geometric blocks, making rhythm structure easy to see and feel. - Circles Mode: Each beat becomes a colorful circle divided into slices for its subdivisions, then lights up in time as the rhythm plays. - Staff Mode: Practice with standard musical notation and connect your rhythm training to real-world sight-reading. - Jianpu (Numbered) Mode: A clean numbered-notation view for players who prefer Jianpu. Key Features: - Custom Rhythm Editor: Build and save your own rhythms in 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8. Create eighth-note patterns, triplets, dotted rhythms, syncopations, rests, and multi-measure exercises. - Expanded 6/8 Practice: Explore a dedicated set of 6/8 rhythm patterns designed for compound-meter training. - Course & Starter Library: Practice with ready-made rhythm groups, from basic pulse control to more advanced subdivision and syncopation. - Loop & Tap-Along: Loop any rhythm to internalize it, or test your timing with tap-along scoring and per-beat feedback. - Professional Metronome: Use high-quality sounds, count-in, tempo control, visual pulse, and flexible loop playback to keep practice precise. - Share & Import: Export custom rhythms as text and import rhythms created in Beat Blocks, including existing 4/4 exercises from earlier versions. - One-Time Unlock: Start with free practice content, then unlock full course and custom-rhythm playback with a one-time purchase. No subscription. No ads. Whether you are building a steady foundation or practicing complex meters, Beat Blocks turns rhythm training into a visual, creative, hands-on experience. See it. Build it. Feel it. Master the beat.

Screenshots

Kantil4 screens
Beat Blocks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Beat Blocks at Free against Kantil's $5.99. Beat Blocks also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 20 months) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). Kantil's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On 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

Beat Blocks is free to download; Kantil costs $5.99 up front. Beat Blocks sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Kantil asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kantil ships an update every 20 months, Beat Blocks weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Kantil versus Beat Blocks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKantilBeat Blocks
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating—3.9 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—21.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—44 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeremacsian Company Limited鑫 孟

In-app purchases

None

Kantil

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Beat Blocks

One-time1
  • Full Access$9.99

Questions

Is Kantil free?
Kantil costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Beat Blocks free?
Beat Blocks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kantil or Beat Blocks have ads?
Neither Kantil nor Beat Blocks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kantil or Beat Blocks?
Kantil ships an update every 20 months, and Beat Blocks weekly. Most recently, Kantil was updated on October 22, 2026 and Beat Blocks on October 24, 2026.

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