# DM1 vs Samplr

The clearest difference is price: DM1 at $9.99 against Samplr's $19.99. Samplr's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

DM1 costs $9.99 and Samplr $19.99 up front. DM1 sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Samplr asks for nothing beyond the download.

Samplr holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 138 and 153 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of DM1's written reviews are positive against 79% of Samplr's.

DM1 ships an update every 2 months, Samplr every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DM1 | Samplr |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (138 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dm1-the-drum-machine/id431573951/reviews) | **[4.7 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samplr/id560756420/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 138 | **153** |
| Positive reviews | 73.3% of reviews | **79.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 310 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fingerlab](https://appshunter.io/developer/412786610) | [Marcos Alonso](https://appshunter.io/developer/560756423) |

## What reviewers say

### DM1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dm1-the-drum-machine/id431573951)

Create electronic music with a powerful drum machine app. Features a step sequencer, drum pads, mixer, FX trackpads, and song composer. Offers a vast library of drum kits and instruments, with options to import your own samples.

**Highlights:** Step Sequencer, Drum Pads, Mixer, FX Trackpads, Song Composer, Instrument Mode, Sample Import

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| More Vintage Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Acoustic Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| More DM1 Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Styles Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Instrument Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| All Packs | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful and feature-rich
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 💯 Excellent sound quality
- 🎨 Versatile with many drum kits
- 🎢 Fun and engaging to play with

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔊 Distortion and audio quality problems
- 🕰️ Inaccurate tempo and sync issues
- 🔀 Difficulty with pattern and song management
- 🔒 Limited import/export and sharing options

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup or during use
- Audio distortion and quality degradation
- Inaccurate tempo and timing issues
- Inability to save or load custom patterns
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Custom sample import and kit creation
- Expanded time signature and subdivision options
- Independent pattern tempo and effects control
- Improved MIDI and inter-app connectivity
- Ability to rearrange and loop song sections


### Samplr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samplr/id560756420)

This app offers a unique multitouch interface for exploring and manipulating audio samples. Create music through various play modes, record gestures for sequencing, and experiment with audio effects. It's designed for audio experimentation, composition, and live performance.

**Highlights:** 8 distinct play modes (Slicer, Looper, Granular, etc.), Gesture recorder for sequencing, Audio input recording and resampling, 6 sample slots with 16 voices each, 5 per-sample effects (Distortion, Reverb, etc.), Import audio from cloud storage and other apps

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and responsive interface
- 🎨 Powerful sample manipulation capabilities
- 🎶 Excellent for live performance and sound design
- 💰 Great value for the price
- 🎉 Inspiring and creative app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔌 Lack of audio import/export options
- 🔀 Difficulty with sample organization and management
- 🔇 Missing features like panning, MIDI support, and AUv3

**Reported bugs**

- Recording functionality not working as expected
- Dropbox integration causing crashes
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Implement Ableton Link for better sync
- Add support for more audio file formats
- Improve sample import/export workflow
- Introduce a more robust sequencing and automation system
- Provide multi-channel audio output


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DM1 free?

DM1 costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Samplr free?

Samplr costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, DM1 or Samplr?

Samplr is rated higher. DM1 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while Samplr averages 4.7 from 153 ratings.

### Do DM1 or Samplr have ads?

Neither DM1 nor Samplr shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DM1 or Samplr?

DM1 ships an update every 2 months, and Samplr every 3 months. Most recently, DM1 was updated on October 19, 2026 and Samplr on October 20, 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.*