# SampleTank CS vs KORG iM1

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KORG iM1 at 82% against SampleTank CS's 29%. KORG iM1 also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and chart position (#51 vs unranked). SampleTank CS's advantage is price (Free vs $29.99) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

SampleTank CS is free to download; KORG iM1 costs $29.99 up front. SampleTank CS sells 15 one-off in-app purchases and KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

KORG iM1 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG iM1 has 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 82% of KORG iM1's.

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, KORG iM1 every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SampleTank CS | KORG iM1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $29.99 |
| Rating | [3.1 (144 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965/reviews) | **[4.7 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 144 | **1K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.9% of reviews | **81.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#51** |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 200 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) | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) |

## 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)


### KORG iM1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326)

**Currently charting:** #51 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app faithfully reproduces the legendary M1 synthesizer, offering its iconic sounds and expanded features for modern music creation. It provides a vast library of presets and intuitive performance tools, making it accessible to both experienced musicians and beginners.

**Highlights:** Faithful reproduction of original M1 sound, Expanded filter resonance and 18 effects, Gigantic library of 3,300 sounds, Intuitive KAOSS pad for performance, Smart Sound Browser for quick sound selection, Compatible with KORG Gadget

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| M1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| T1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Authentic M1 sound reproduction
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🎹 Faithful recreation of the original hardware
- 🎨 Powerful sound customization options
- 🔗 Works well with MIDI controllers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues
- 🔇 Low output volume compared to other apps
- 🤔 Confusing UI for patch editing and saving
- 🔴 Missing AUv3 support for integration with DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing or missing purchased sound cards
- Bluetooth MIDI connectivity issues
- Compatibility problems with certain iOS versions or devices

**Requested features**

- Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve preset management and saving capabilities
- Increase master volume control options
- Expand sound library with more cards/expansions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SampleTank CS free?

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

### Is KORG iM1 free?

KORG iM1 costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or KORG iM1?

KORG iM1 is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 144 ratings, while KORG iM1 averages 4.7 from 1K ratings.

### Do SampleTank CS or KORG iM1 have ads?

Neither SampleTank CS nor KORG iM1 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or KORG iM1?

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and KORG iM1 every 7 months. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on October 13, 2026 and KORG iM1 on October 16, 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.*