# SampleTank CS vs BK

The clearest difference is rating: BK at 3.7 against SampleTank CS's 3.1. BK also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 15) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 13.0). SampleTank CS's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (144 vs 3). On price, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SampleTank CS sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. BK asks for nothing beyond the download.

BK holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SampleTank CS has 144 ratings behind it against 3, 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 33% of BK's.

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, BK every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SampleTank CS | BK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (144 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965/reviews) | **[3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-9-performance-editor/id668979731/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **144** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 28.9% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **8.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [IK Multimedia US, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/323694278) | [Roland Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/387333694) |

## 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)


### BK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-9-performance-editor/id668979731)

Control and edit the real-time performance parameters of your Roland BK-9 Backing Keyboard directly from your iPad. Enhance your playing, practicing, and composing experience with quick access to tone editing, part mixing, and effects.

**Highlights:** Real-time parameter editing, Tone editing, Part mixing control, Effects adjustment, iPad touchscreen interface, Enhanced performance tool

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SampleTank CS free?

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

### Is BK free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or BK?

BK is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 144 ratings, while BK averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do SampleTank CS or BK have ads?

Neither SampleTank CS nor BK shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or BK?

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and BK every 9 months. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on October 6, 2026 and BK on October 8, 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.*