# GarageBand vs Drum Pad Machine

The clearest difference is rating: Drum Pad Machine at 4.6 against GarageBand's 4.1. Drum Pad Machine also leads on chart position (#164 vs unranked) and ratings volume (675K vs 118K). GarageBand's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Drum Pad Machine sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. GarageBand asks for nothing beyond the download.

Drum Pad Machine holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drum Pad Machine has 675K ratings behind it against 118K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of GarageBand's written reviews are positive against 63% of Drum Pad Machine's.

GarageBand ships an update every 4 months, Drum Pad Machine every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | GarageBand | Drum Pad Machine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (118K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garageband/id408709785/reviews) | **[4.6 (675K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 118K | **675K** |
| Positive reviews | 60.8% of reviews | **63.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#164** |
| Size | 1.7 GB | 230 MB |
| Requires iOS | 27.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apple Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) | [Easybrain Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1190815537) |

## What reviewers say

### GarageBand

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garageband/id408709785)

Transform your device into a portable recording studio. Create music with virtual instruments, record vocals and guitars, and mix multi-track songs. Explore a vast library of sounds and effects to produce professional-sounding tracks anywhere.

**Highlights:** Virtual instruments (keyboard, guitar, drums), Multi-track recording (up to 32 tracks), Live Loops for DJ-style creation, Sound Library for free instruments and loops, Virtual amps and stompbox effects, Smart Instruments for easy playing, Multi-Take Recording

**Features:** iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎹 Powerful music creation tools
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🎨 Wide variety of instruments and sounds
- 💰 Free to use with no ads
- 🎶 Helps inspire and develop musical skills

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches causing crashes and data loss
- ⏱️ Long download and optimization times
- 🔇 Issues with audio recording and playback
- 🔒 Requires latest iOS version to function
- 💾 Takes up a lot of storage space

**Reported bugs**

- Sustain pedal issues causing incorrect playback
- Recorded audio not saving or getting corrupted
- Compatibility problems with iOS 11 and newer
- Inconsistent behavior when editing and duplicating tracks
- Delays and lags when using external audio apps

**Requested features**

- Add more guitar, wind, and percussion instruments
- Improve MIDI support and automation capabilities
- Implement better mixing and mastering tools
- Allow custom time signatures and tempo changes
- Add a built-in tuner and metronome


### Drum Pad Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965)

**Currently charting:** #164 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Create professional-quality music and unique tracks with a variety of styles and sound packs. Utilize instruments, FX, and sequencing for creative sound design. Learn through beat school lessons and share your creations instantly.

**Highlights:** Multiple music styles (Hip-hop, Trap, House, etc.), Professional sound packs, Drum and Piano instruments, Sequencing with tempo and EQ, Beat School lessons, Quick music sharing

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drum Pad Machine Pro - Weekly | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Music Beat Maker Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Drum Pad Machine Pro - Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Beatmaker Premium | $14.99 | per month |
| Drum Pad Machine Pro - Annual | $46.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Incredible music-making experience
- 👍 Easy to learn and use
- 🎶 Wide variety of music genres and beats
- 🎓 Helpful tutorials and lessons
- 🎧 High-quality sound samples

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤬 Excessive and repetitive ads
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Occasional glitches and crashes
- 🤔 Limited customization options
- ⏱️ Lessons and tutorials move too fast

**Reported bugs**

- Recordings sometimes stop unexpectedly
- Difficulty registering multiple button presses simultaneously
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Add a search function to find specific beats
- Allow users to create and share their own custom beats
- Implement a pause/resume feature for recordings
- Provide more granular control over tempo and timing


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GarageBand free?

GarageBand is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Drum Pad Machine free?

Drum Pad Machine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GarageBand or Drum Pad Machine?

Drum Pad Machine is rated higher. GarageBand averages 4.1 out of 5 from 118K ratings, while Drum Pad Machine averages 4.6 from 675K ratings.

### Do GarageBand or Drum Pad Machine have ads?

Drum Pad Machine shows ads; GarageBand does not.

### Which is updated more often, GarageBand or Drum Pad Machine?

GarageBand ships an update every 4 months, and Drum Pad Machine every 3 months. Most recently, GarageBand was updated on October 31, 2026 and Drum Pad Machine on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*