# BeatMaker 2 vs KORG Gadget 3

The clearest difference is price: BeatMaker 2 at $11.99 against KORG Gadget 3's $39.99. BeatMaker 2 also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). KORG Gadget 3's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (2.9K vs 232). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

BeatMaker 2 costs $11.99 and KORG Gadget 3 $39.99 up front. BeatMaker 2 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and KORG Gadget 3 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

KORG Gadget 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG Gadget 3 has 2.9K ratings behind it against 232, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of BeatMaker 2's written reviews are positive against 76% of KORG Gadget 3's.

BeatMaker 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, KORG Gadget 3 monthly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | BeatMaker 2 | KORG Gadget 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$11.99** | $39.99 |
| Rating | [3.4 (232 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beatmaker-2/id417020234/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-gadget-3/id791077159/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 232 | **2.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 66.2% of reviews | **75.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#149** |
| Size | 745 MB | 1.9 GB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [INTUA](https://appshunter.io/developer/285413818) | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) |

## What reviewers say

### BeatMaker 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beatmaker-2/id417020234)

Create professional-quality music on your mobile device. Build virtual studios, compose songs with a variety of instruments and effects, and record your ideas. Import your own sounds or use the extensive library to bring your musical vision to life.

**Highlights:** Virtual home-studio creation, Multiple instrument types, Full range of audio effects, Sound library and import options, MIDI accessory compatibility, Multi-track sequencer, Piano-roll interface

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prime Loops - Dirty South Heroes | $3.99 | one-time |
| Prime Loops - East Coast Hip Hop Volume 1 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Prime Loops - Midnight R&B Gold | $3.99 | one-time |
| Prime Loops - West Coast Anthology | $3.99 | one-time |
| 9TH Street | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essential Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Emerge Audio Dubstep Destruction | $5.99 | one-time |
| Southern Homie | $6.99 | one-time |
| South Chiefs | $7.99 | one-time |
| INTUA Future ATL | $11.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful sampling and beat-making capabilities
- 👍 Intuitive and flexible workflow
- 🎨 Extensive sound library
- 💡 Ability to import custom samples and MIDI
- 🎹 Versatile keyboard and drum pad interfaces

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔋 High memory usage and battery drain
- 📺 Poor iPad optimization and scaling
- 🔇 Lackluster built-in sounds and synths
- 🔍 Confusing and cluttered user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Bluetooth connectivity problems
- Inability to restore in-app purchases
- Crashes when editing multiple pads or tracks
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS devices
- Dropbox integration and file transfer not working

**Requested features**

- Improved Dropbox and file management integration
- Add MIDI output and external hardware support
- Implement a more streamlined and intuitive UI
- Include a wider range of high-quality built-in sounds
- Add real-time audio recording and export options


### KORG Gadget 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-gadget-3/id791077159)

**Currently charting:** #149 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Create music with a comprehensive suite of over 40 virtual instruments and effects. This powerful yet intuitive ecosystem allows you to quickly turn your musical ideas into finished tracks, offering a vast sound library and flexible workflow for various genres.

**Highlights:** Over 40 virtual instruments and drum machines, New Santa Ana (Guitar) and Sydney (Sampler) gadgets, 5 new insert effects (IFX), Intuitive user interface and workflow, Genre select system for songwriting, AUv3 support for iOS integration, Extensive sound library with 6,000+ programs

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bilbao | $6.99 | one-time |
| Abu Dhabi | $6.99 | one-time |
| Madrid | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gladstone | $9.99 | one-time |
| Kamata | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lisbon | $9.99 | one-time |
| Vancouver | $9.99 | one-time |
| Stockholm | $9.99 | one-time |
| Otorii | $9.99 | one-time |
| Santa Ana | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ebina | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for creating rave and dance music
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🎨 Powerful sound design capabilities
- 💡 Useful for live performance
- 👍 Excellent workflow for sketching ideas

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 💰 Expensive with many in-app purchases
- 🔀 Randomized saved project order
- 🔍 Difficult to precisely control zoom and note editing
- 🔓 Issues with restoring purchased content

**Reported bugs**

- Playback issues with latest update
- Imported samples limited to 5 seconds
- Bilbao sampler crashes when importing WAV files
- Gadget instruments not showing up in AUv3 lists

**Requested features**

- Add more acoustic drum and bass sounds
- Implement MIDI out functionality
- Allow customizable scales and tunings
- Add a proper sampler with more advanced features
- Improve copy/paste and track management capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BeatMaker 2 free?

BeatMaker 2 costs $11.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is KORG Gadget 3 free?

KORG Gadget 3 costs $39.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BeatMaker 2 or KORG Gadget 3?

KORG Gadget 3 is rated higher. BeatMaker 2 averages 3.4 out of 5 from 232 ratings, while KORG Gadget 3 averages 4.8 from 2.9K ratings.

### Do BeatMaker 2 or KORG Gadget 3 have ads?

Neither BeatMaker 2 nor KORG Gadget 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BeatMaker 2 or KORG Gadget 3?

BeatMaker 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, and KORG Gadget 3 monthly. Most recently, BeatMaker 2 was updated on October 17, 2026 and KORG Gadget 3 on October 17, 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.*