# JBL OnBeat vs PatchRig FX

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JBL OnBeat at none against PatchRig FX's 1. JBL OnBeat also leads on iOS requirement (3.0 vs 17.0). PatchRig FX's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PatchRig FX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. JBL OnBeat asks for nothing beyond the download.

JBL OnBeat ships an update every 3 months, PatchRig FX every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JBL OnBeat | PatchRig FX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.8 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jbl-onbeat/id419840202/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **53** | — |
| Positive reviews | 20.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 28 MB | 428 MB |
| Requires iOS | **3.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Harman International Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/419840205) | [Rob Rightmyer](https://appshunter.io/developer/285332279) |

## What reviewers say

### JBL OnBeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jbl-onbeat/id419840202)

This application allows users to browse and play music directly from their iPod, iPad, or iPhone. It also includes a convenient alarm clock feature for added functionality.

**Highlights:** Browse and play music, Music from iPod, iPad, iPhone, Alarm clock functionality

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Good sound quality
- ✨ Stylish design
- 🔌 Easy setup
- 🚀 Works well with older devices (sometimes)
- 🔊 Great sound for the size

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Incompatible with newer iOS
- 🧱 Device becomes bricked
- 📉 Poor app support
- 👎 Outdated interface
- 🚫 No firmware updates

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone 5 iOS 6.1.4
- Wi-Fi connection constantly crashes
- App doesn't wake device from standby
- Alarm doesn't sound when device is in standby
- EQ settings disappeared

**Requested features**

- Update app for latest iOS versions
- Add firmware update functionality
- Improve UI/UX
- Add sleep and alarm functions
- Enable manual SSID entry for Wi-Fi


### PatchRig FX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patchrig-fx/id6763589520)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PatchRig Pro | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JBL OnBeat free?

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

### Is PatchRig FX free?

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

### Do JBL OnBeat or PatchRig FX have ads?

Neither JBL OnBeat nor PatchRig FX shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JBL OnBeat or PatchRig FX?

JBL OnBeat ships an update every 3 months, and PatchRig FX every 3 days. Most recently, JBL OnBeat was updated on October 9, 2026 and PatchRig FX on September 23, 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.*
