# SampleTank CS vs Numa Player

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Numa Player at 85% against SampleTank CS's 29%. Numa Player also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 144). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SampleTank CS sells 15 one-off in-app purchases and Numa Player sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Numa Player holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Numa Player has 1.1K ratings behind it against 144, 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 85% of Numa Player's.

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, Numa Player monthly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SampleTank CS | Numa Player |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (144 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numa-player/id1601231132/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 144 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.9% of reviews | **85.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [IK Multimedia US, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/323694278) | [FATAR SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1601231134) |

## 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)


### Numa Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numa-player/id1601231132)

This virtual instrument offers a multitimbral sound engine optimized for multi-core CPUs, providing low latency and high polyphony. It allows for flexible zone management, extensive sound libraries, and integrated effects for live performances and studio use.

**Highlights:** Multitimbral Instrument Player, Cross-Platform (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS), Standalone or Plugin mode, Multi-core CPU optimization, Infinite Zone management, Extensive sound library, 9 Insert Effects and 3 Master Effects

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Farfisa Compact | $0.99 | one-time |
| VINTAGE PIANOS | $17.99 | one-time |
| GRAN CODA | $24.99 | one-time |
| STAGE D | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great sounds
- 👍 Excellent sound quality
- 👍 Stable and reliable
- 👍 Fantastic free app
- 👍 Impressive for a free app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Polyphony issues
- 🐛 Occasional crashes
- 🐛 Notes dropping out
- 🐛 Sound glitching
- 🐛 Sustain pedal issues

**Reported bugs**

- Crashing issues in GarageBand
- Incompatibility with some MIDI controllers
- Sustain pedal causing noise

**Requested features**

- More types of resonance (aliquot, body, bridge/soundboard)
- New piano models (Bosendorfer, Yamaha CFX)
- More instruments (brass, saxes)
- Ability to save custom patches
- Ability to resize on-screen keyboard


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SampleTank CS free?

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

### Is Numa Player free?

Numa Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or Numa Player?

Numa Player is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 144 ratings, while Numa Player averages 4.7 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do SampleTank CS or Numa Player have ads?

Neither SampleTank CS nor Numa Player shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or Numa Player?

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and Numa Player monthly. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on September 24, 2026 and Numa Player on September 24, 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.*