# SampleTank CS vs AudioKit FM Player 2

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AudioKit FM Player 2 at 79% against SampleTank CS's 29%. AudioKit FM Player 2 also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (3.4K vs 142). SampleTank CS's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SampleTank CS sells 15 one-off in-app purchases and AudioKit FM Player 2 sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

AudioKit FM Player 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit FM Player 2 has 3.4K ratings behind it against 142, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of SampleTank CS's written reviews are positive against 79% of AudioKit FM Player 2's.

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, AudioKit FM Player 2 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SampleTank CS | AudioKit FM Player 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (142 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-fm-player-2-dx-synth/id1307785646/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 142 | **3.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.9% of reviews | **79.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 357 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [IK Multimedia US, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/323694278) | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) |

## What reviewers say

### SampleTank CS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965)

This professional mobile sound and groove workstation brings desktop-level virtual instrument power to your iPhone and iPad. It offers a vast array of world-class instruments and patterns for live performance and composition, with expandable sound libraries available for purchase.

**Highlights:** 23 free instruments in 16 categories, 8-part multitimbral sound module, Expandable sound library with 2300+ instruments, Over 1,200 melodic and rhythmic patterns, 8-track MIDI recorder with audio export, Intuitive interface and new sound engine, Song and Live environments

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Organ | $4.99 | one-time |
| Strings | $4.99 | one-time |
| Brass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Synth Leads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Synth Pads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Woodwinds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Acoustic Drums | $4.99 | one-time |
| Electric Piano | $7.99 | one-time |
| The Grid | $14.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade to SampleTank | $24.99 | one-time |
| Miroslav Philharmonik - Mobile Edition | $24.99 | one-time |
| Sample Moog - Mobile Edition | $24.99 | one-time |
| Sonik Synth - Mobile Edition | $24.99 | one-time |
| All Sounds | $64.99 | one-time |
| SampleTank PRO - All Sounds Pack | $64.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great sound quality
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Excellent for live performances

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔒 Issues with in-app purchases and restoring purchases
- 🔋 High memory usage
- 👎 Lack of updates and support

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatible with latest iOS versions
- MIDI issues and lack of device detection
- Purchased content not properly restored

**Requested features**

- Add AU/AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve MIDI functionality and mapping
- Allow importing custom samples
- Enhance performance controls (e.g., pitch bend, modulation)


### AudioKit FM Player 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-fm-player-2-dx-synth/id1307785646)

This app offers a classic 80s FM synth experience with a vast library of sounds, effects, and sequencing capabilities. It's designed for musicians and producers to explore award-winning tones and create music on their iPad.

**Highlights:** Classic 80s FM Synth, EP, and FM Tine sounds, Multi-sampled recordings of famous classic presets, Stand-alone, IAA & Audiobus, AUv3 support, Vintage Arp & 16-Step Sequencer, 200+ presets and 150+ multi-sampled PCMs, Vintage Stereo Phaser, Chorus, Flanger, Amp Simulator, MIDI in for keyboard control

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Weekly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎹 Excellent DX7 emulation
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💯 Fantastic sound quality
- 🎨 Highly customizable
- 🔊 Great effects and filters

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔌 Battery drain problems
- 🔇 Occasional audio glitches
- 🤔 Compatibility issues with some DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when switching presets
- Midi playback not working consistently
- Preset loading issues in some DAWs

**Requested features**

- Arpeggiator/sequencer functionality
- Ability to save and load custom presets
- Improved MIDI integration and mapping
- Expanded sound library and more DX-style presets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SampleTank CS free?

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

### Is AudioKit FM Player 2 free?

AudioKit FM Player 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or AudioKit FM Player 2?

AudioKit FM Player 2 is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 142 ratings, while AudioKit FM Player 2 averages 4.8 from 3.4K ratings.

### Do SampleTank CS or AudioKit FM Player 2 have ads?

AudioKit FM Player 2 shows ads; SampleTank CS does not.

### Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or AudioKit FM Player 2?

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and AudioKit FM Player 2 monthly. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on October 23, 2026 and AudioKit FM Player 2 on October 26, 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.*