Comparison

SampleTank CS vs Padline

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

Head to head
About

SampleTank CS

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
Read full description

SampleTank 2 for iOS is a professional, fully featured mobile sound and groove workstation that brings the sound, power and features of desktop virtual instruments to your iPad and iPhone — without compromise. It is designed for professional live performance, song composition and puts a comprehensive array of world-class instruments, sounds and patterns right at your fingertips. SampleTank CS provides all the functionality of the full app, with 23 instruments in 16 categories, so you can try out this powerful workstation for free. Additional sounds are available a la cart via in-app purchase. SampleTank gives you 8 multitimbral instrument slots that you can easily layer or split. Choose from a comprehensive, expandable sound collection that covers virtually every acoustic and electronic sound imaginable. Plus, each instrument category includes instrument riffs and grooves so you can start composing and playing in no time. The included instruments and the new sound engine are derived from the desktop version of SampleTank, IK's flagship workstation, offering you unmatched realism, variety of sound and audio performance. For the first time on iOS, thousands of professional sample-based sounds and patterns can be easily accessed, layered and used for playing live or in the studio. What’s more, SampleTank offers an ever-growing library of sounds and are available via in-app purchase: • Elektronika - a series of electronica and EDM-oriented groove libraries and sound collections that make it easy to create hits in today’s most popular styles • Miroslav Philharmonik — the legendary orchestral libraries, now available on your mobile device! Stunningly realistic and expressive samples of a wide range of orchestra and percussion instruments. • SampleTank PRO - the latest and most high-end sounds and grooves available, letting you create professional-grade compositions on your mobile device • Plus additional libraries covering cinematic sounds, the finest pianos, drum libraries from iconic drummers and much more! SampleTank for iOS offers over 2,300 instruments and over 1,200 MIDI patterns — the largest collection of sounds available for any virtual instrument for iOS. Features: • 23 sounds in 16 categories included free • 8-part multitimbral professional quality sound and groove module • Expandable sound library with 2300+ instrument • Over 1,200 melodic and rhythmic patterns • 8-track MIDI recorder with audio export • Totally redesigned intuitive interface • New sound engine derived from SampleTank 3 for Mac/PC • Zones feature lets you easily create splits & layers on your controller • Song and Live environments for composing and playing • Built-in insert effects and master reverb • MIDI learn feature makes programming external controllers easy • Plug-and-play compatibility with iRig interfaces and controllers • Polyphony: up to 64 voices on new Apple devices

About

Padline

This app provides stable, warm background pads for musicians. It offers immediate access to all chromatic notes with simple controls for volume, panning, and smooth entry. Designed for creating an immersive atmosphere, it features a fast, minimalist interface.

Highlights
  • Pads available in all chromatic notes
  • Simple volume and panning controls
  • Smooth entry for atmosphere adjustment
  • Worship-focused sound character
  • Fast and minimalist interface
Features
Read full description

Padline está diseñada para músicos que necesitan un fondo estable, cálido y constante. La app te permite reproducir pads en todas las notas cromáticas de manera inmediata, con controles directos y sin distracciones. Características principales Pads disponibles en todas las notas, listos para adaptarse a cualquier canción. Controles sencillos de volumen, paneo y entrada suave para ajustar el ambiente con precisión. Sonidos seleccionados específicamente para crear un espacio más envolvente, más lleno y con un carácter claramente worship. Interfaz rápida y minimalista para que lo importante sea tocar, no navegar menús. Padline es para quienes buscan acompañamiento y atmósfera sin perder simplicidad. Ideal para dar cuerpo, sostén y un ambiente más profundo en cualquier reunión, ensayo o concierto. Privacy Policy: http://www.legostack.net Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SampleTank CS4 screens
Padline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Padline at 3.7 against SampleTank CS's 3.1. Padline also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). SampleTank CS's advantage is ratings volume (144 vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. SampleTank CS sells 15 one-off in-app purchases and Padline sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Padline 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, Padline every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SampleTank CS versus Padline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSampleTank CSPadline
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (144 ratings)3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings144 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size1.5 GB198 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIK Multimedia US, LLCHenry Cesta

Customer experience

SampleTank CS

All ratings144 ratings
Positive52.1%
Neutral8.3%
Negative39.6%
Written reviews298 reviews
Positive28.9%
Neutral10.4%
Negative60.7%

Padline

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

SampleTank CS

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

4 requests
  • 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)

Padline

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

15 purchases

SampleTank CS

One-time15
  • Organ$4.99
  • Strings$4.99
  • Brass$4.99
Show 12 more
  • Synth Leads$4.99
  • Synth Pads$4.99
  • Woodwinds$4.99
  • Acoustic Drums$4.99
  • Electric Piano$7.99
  • The Grid$14.99
  • Upgrade to SampleTank$24.99
  • Miroslav Philharmonik - Mobile Edition$24.99
  • Sample Moog - Mobile Edition$24.99
  • Sonik Synth - Mobile Edition$24.99
  • All Sounds$64.99
  • SampleTank PRO - All Sounds Pack$64.99
2 purchases

Padline

Subscriptions2
  • Padline Pro Mensual7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Padline Pro Anual7 Days trial$3.991 Year

Questions

Is SampleTank CS free?
SampleTank CS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Padline free?
Padline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or Padline?
Padline is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 144 ratings, while Padline averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do SampleTank CS or Padline have ads?
Neither SampleTank CS nor Padline shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or Padline?
SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and Padline every 9 days. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on October 6, 2026 and Padline on October 10, 2026.

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