# Bongos vs Darbuka

The clearest difference is rating: Darbuka at 3.8 against Bongos's 3.3. On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bongos sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Darbuka sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Darbuka holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 19 respectively.

Bongos ships an update every 2 months, Darbuka every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bongos | Darbuka |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bongos-dynamic-bongo-drums/id411722855/reviews) | **[3.8 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/darbuka/id6739781153/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **24** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 65.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 206 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Skunk Brothers GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/405250614) | [Alper Kahriman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054578352) |

## What reviewers say

### Bongos

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bongos-dynamic-bongo-drums/id411722855)

Experience realistic bongo drumming with professionally recorded sounds that change based on where you strike the drums. This app offers high-quality samples, additional percussion, and low latency for an immersive musical experience on your iPhone or iPad.

**Highlights:** 18 high-quality bongo samples, Cowbell and sticks percussion, Professionally recorded & mastered sounds, No latency for precise playing, Multitasking support for playing along with music, Universal app for iPhone and iPad

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bongos Ad-Free | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Realistic bongo sounds
- 🎶 Encourages musical creativity
- 🤗 Fun for all ages
- 💻 Works well on mobile devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🙄 Repetitive after a while
- 📢 Intrusive ads
- 🔊 Could use louder/better sound

**Reported bugs**

- Sound not working on some devices
- Rotation issues on certain phones
- Ads covering up playing area

**Requested features**

- Record and playback feature
- More instrument options
- Ability to tune/adjust bongos
- Integration with music apps


### Darbuka

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/darbuka/id6739781153)

Explore the authentic sounds of the darbuka, a traditional percussion instrument. This app offers realistic tones, multiple play modes, and recording capabilities for musicians and enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean rhythms.

**Highlights:** Authentic darbuka sounds, Three dynamic play modes, Record performances, Share music easily, Intuitive design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get Premium | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bongos free?

Bongos is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Darbuka free?

Darbuka is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Bongos or Darbuka?

Darbuka is rated higher. Bongos averages 3.3 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Darbuka averages 3.8 from 19 ratings.

### Do Bongos or Darbuka have ads?

Both Bongos and Darbuka show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bongos or Darbuka?

Bongos ships an update every 2 months, and Darbuka every 3 months. Most recently, Bongos was updated on October 20, 2026 and Darbuka on October 12, 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.*