# SampleTank CS vs Artis Sound Editor

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Artis Sound Editor at none against SampleTank CS's 15. Artis Sound Editor also leads on rating (3.3 vs 3.1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). SampleTank CS's advantage is ratings volume (143 vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Artis Sound Editor holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SampleTank CS has 143 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 Artis Sound Editor's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SampleTank CS | Artis Sound Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965/reviews) | **[3.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artis-sound-editor/id797796299/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **143** | 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 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [IK Multimedia US, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/323694278) | [SoundTower Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/757478129) |

## 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)


### Artis Sound Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artis-sound-editor/id797796299)

This tool allows for the editing and manipulation of sound programs and multi-mode parameters for Kurzweil Artis synthesizers. It offers features like a program channel mixer, layer manipulation, and real-time editing via USB/MIDI or wireless connection.

**Highlights:** Program Channel Mixer, Program Common parameter editing, Program Layer manipulation, MIDI Continuous Controller tools, Real-time Multi Mode parameter editing, Import Multi Zones, Transmit/receive Programs and Multi data

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SampleTank CS free?

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

### Is Artis Sound Editor free?

Artis Sound Editor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or Artis Sound Editor?

Artis Sound Editor is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 143 ratings, while Artis Sound Editor averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do SampleTank CS or Artis Sound Editor have ads?

Neither SampleTank CS nor Artis Sound Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or Artis Sound Editor?

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and Artis Sound Editor every 2 months. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on October 28, 2026 and Artis Sound Editor on October 23, 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.*