Comparison

Tabletop vs iMPC

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Tabletop

Create music with a modular studio environment. Mix and match over 40 virtual instruments, effects, and sequencers to compose songs, beats, and mashups. Expand your sound palette by purchasing additional devices.

Highlights
  • Modular music creation environment
  • Over 40 virtual instruments and effects
  • Mix and match devices
  • Create beats, songs, and mashups
  • Piano roll timeline editor
  • MIDI support
  • Share music to SoundCloud
Features
Read full description

Tabletop is an expandable studio with over a dozen included musical devices. Tabletop is a modular environment where you can mix and match different devices. Select from over 40 devices including samplers, mixers, effects, sequencers and more. Buy only the gear you need from an expanding catalog. Need help? Email support@retronyms.com and we’ll answer your questions. Retronyms has partnered with industry giants like Akai Professional and Arturia to create some of the Tabletop-Ready Apps, like iMPC, iMini, and iProphet! Using the Tabletop features of time stretching and pitch shifting, you can slice loops and time stretch them to different tempos and pitches in iMPC Pro. You can also use sliced loops from purchased AudioCopy sound packs inside Gridlock and iMPC Pro. Loops from these sound packs will automatically match the tempo of your sessions. Tabletop is an audio playground where you can create beats, compose songs, mix live, make mashups with samples from your iPod library, and more... the possibilities are endless. Plug the output of a keyboard into a delay to add an echo, or wire it up to a mixer and adjust the pan. Chain up multiple effects to create new and evolving sounds. FEATURES: • 43 devices including effects, sequencers, drum machines, and synths • 14 devices are included for free • 64 bit audio support • Access powerful Tabletop-Ready Apps • Piano Roll style timeline editor • Cut, copy, paste, duplicate, and create notes • Control Tabletop’s keyboards, drum pads, knobs, faders, and other parameters • Correct note timing with Fix to Grid • Edit note length and velocity • Undo changes and edits with Tabletop’s History Menu • Features Core MIDI Support • Works with any MIDI-compatible hardware • Customize control mapping with Midi Learn mode • Connect multiple devices • Share your music to SoundCloud and interact with other Tabletop users

About

iMPC

Transform your iPad into a powerful music production tool with this app. It offers a classic MPC workflow, extensive sample libraries, and advanced editing features to create beats and sequences. Easily record, overdub, and share your musical creations.

Highlights
  • Classic MPC workflow
  • Over 1,200 samples
  • Record and overdub beats
  • Built-in effects
  • Sampler with multiple input options
  • Export tracks to MPC Software
  • 16 Levels mode
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPad into an MPC with more than 1,200 samples, 50 editable programs, 80 editable sequences, and iconic MPC workflow. Need help? Have an issue or question? Please email us at support@retronyms.com. iMPC brings the look and feel of the classic Akai Pro MPC to your iPad. iMPC includes everything you need to create a beat quickly and easily. With features including built-in effects, plus the ability to create new sequences and record and overdub beats, the possibilities are endless. The app’s built-in sampler can record samples three different ways: using the mic on the iPad, using the line input on the iPad, or using the multi-touch turntable interface in iMPC to record samples directly from iTunes or other music libraries. - Exclusive iMPC sound set and classic Akai Professional sound library - "3D Perform" controls -- use your iPhone's motion sensors to control parameters - Export tracks to MPC Software for use with MPC Renaissance and MPC Studio - Share on SoundCloud, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or export to your computer - 16 Levels mode: 16 levels of attack, velocity, length, and tuning - Note Variation slider: adjust attack, velocity, length, and tuning as you play - Trim and categorize samples, undo takes and erase samples - Use with Tabletop’s Timeline Editor - Tabletop Ready iMPC is free for for iMPC owners - Route to and use with your favorite Tabletop Effects and devices - Line-in allows you to resample Tabletop devices - Create new sequences, record and overdub beats - Live Sequence queuing for real-time performance and playback - Simple drag and drop program creation - Effects include delay, bit crusher, master compressor/limiter - Time correct: 1/8 note - 1/32T with variable swing - Note Repeat: 1/8 note - 1/32T timing, with latch - AudioCopy beats and sequences to compatible apps - AudioPaste samples from hundreds of compatible apps Check out our other apps in the MPC Collection: iMPC for iPhone and iMPC Pro 2. Happy music making!

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tabletop at Free against iMPC's $9.99. Tabletop also leads on rating (3.3 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 10 months). iMPC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.0). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tabletop is free to download; iMPC costs $9.99 up front. Tabletop sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. iMPC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tabletop holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 85 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Tabletop's written reviews are positive against 44% of iMPC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tabletop ships an update every 3 months, iMPC every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tabletop versus iMPC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTabletopiMPC
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating3.3 (85 ratings) — better2.3 (32 ratings)
Positive reviews53.9% of reviews — better44.5% of reviews
Number of ratings85 — better32
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS11.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB440 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRetronyms IncAkai Professional

Customer experience

Tabletop

All ratings85 ratings
Positive54.1%
Neutral9.4%
Negative36.5%
Written reviews230 reviews
Positive53.9%
Neutral13.5%
Negative32.6%

iMPC

All ratings30 ratings
Positive23.3%
Neutral10.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews443 reviews
Positive44.5%
Neutral15.1%
Negative40.4%

User reviews

Tabletop

From 85 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful features
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 💡 Innovative modular design
  • 🎨 Versatile music creation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔋 High CPU usage
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🔇 Poor sound quality

iMPC

From 32 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive workflow
  • 💯 Great sample library
  • 🎨 Classic MPC look and feel
  • 💰 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🔇 Weak metronome
  • 🔢 Limited to 4 tracks
  • 🔁 No sample editing after assignment
  • 🔌 Lack of Audiobus/MIDI support

Bugs and requests

Tabletop

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Synth parameters not saving properly
  • Incompatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Unreliable audio export

Requested features

4 requests
  • MIDI support
  • Improved sequencing capabilities
  • More free sound modules
  • Waveform editing and sample management

iMPC

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes
  • Exported audio quality issues
  • Inconsistent MIDI implementation

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to chop samples
  • More effects and sound processing options
  • Increased track count
  • Audiobus and MIDI integration
  • Improved sample management and organization

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Tabletop

One-time11
  • EKKO$1.99
  • WHIRL$2.99
  • Verve$2.99
Show 8 more
  • XFADE$2.99
  • TT-303$2.99
  • Cueboard$2.99
  • GLITCHBOARD$3.99
  • Deadbeat$3.99
  • X0X Drum Deranger$7.99
  • RS4000$9.99
  • Bundle E$24.99
None

iMPC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tabletop free?
Tabletop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iMPC free?
iMPC costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tabletop or iMPC?
Tabletop is rated higher. Tabletop averages 3.3 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while iMPC averages 2.3 from 32 ratings.
Do Tabletop or iMPC have ads?
Neither Tabletop nor iMPC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tabletop or iMPC?
Tabletop ships an update every 3 months, and iMPC every 10 months. Most recently, Tabletop was updated on October 2, 2026 and iMPC on October 6, 2026.

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