Comparison

SampleTank vs KORG iWAVESTATION

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

Head to head
About

SampleTank

This professional mobile workstation offers a vast collection of world-class instruments, sounds, and patterns for live performance and composition. Layer or split instruments across 8 multitimbral slots, with an expandable library and a powerful new sound engine.

Highlights
  • 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
  • New sound engine
  • Zones feature for splits & layers
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 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. SampleTank 2 comes with over 140 instruments and 1,000 patterns including pianos, electric pianos, synths, organs, drums, basses, guitars, strings, brass, woodwinds, voices, ethnic instruments, percussion and sound FX. 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: • 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 controller • Polyphony: up to 64 voices on new Apple devices

About

KORG iWAVESTATION

This app recreates a legendary 1990s synthesizer, offering time-varying timbre creation and advanced vector synthesis. Experience its unique sound-shaping potential with a renewed graphic interface and touch-based operation for iOS devices.

Highlights
  • Faithful reproduction of original WAVESTATION sound
  • Graphical wave sequence view with touch control
  • 1,500 sounds, 700+ waveforms, 55 effects
  • Powerful random sequence engine
  • AUv3 support for Logic Pro and GarageBand
  • Integration with KORG Gadget DAW
Features
Read full description

Creating sounds with time-varying timbre, on your mobile device. KORG iWAVESTATION - A wave sequence synthesizer for iOS. The WAVESTATION synthesizer went on sale in 1990. This instrument featured an advanced vector synthesis system which created new sounds by combining and connecting multiple waveforms; it provided a mix/morphing function that let you use a joystick to change the balance of four oscillators, and a distinctive wave sequence function that allowed you to place waveforms in a desired sequence to create sequence patterns. To this day, it continues to be considered a legendary and still-unique instrument. Now in 2016, the WAVESTATION has been reborn as "KORG iWAVESTATION," an app for iPad/iPhone. In addition to completely reproducing the programs, it also features a renewed design that lets everyone experience the stupendous sound-shaping potential of the WAVESTATION. It features touch-based operation that's distinctive of iOS, in conjunction with a new graphic interface that allows you to visualize and edit the time-varying timbral changes that are distinctive of the WAVESTATION. [ Features ] - A faithful reproduction of the original WAVESTATION sound: In addition to providing the sounds from all PCM memories of the WAVESTATION, the new iWAVESTATION also reproduces in software every detail of the parameters, based on an analysis of the original hardware circuit diagram. - A new wave sequence view that can be graphically controlled: The iWAVESTATION, we advance another step with a graphical user interface that takes advantage of the touch operations that are a characteristic of iOS. Even more than ever, we've updated the screen design with an emphasis on creating sequences. - 1,500 sounds, more than 700 waveforms, 55 effects, and a powerful random sequence engine: This new instrument includes a stupendous number of presets and waveforms, covering all models of the series. iWAVESTATION also provides a new random sequence function which will give you different perspectives to inspire new sounds. - Use with KORG Gadget and AUv3 for song production: iWAVESTATION can be used in conjunction with the "KORG Gadget" music production DAW app that has won numerous awards around the world. If both apps are installed, it can be used as the "Milpitas" gadget inside the KORG Gadget app. And also supports AUv3, so it can also be used as a sound module for Logic Pro and GarageBand. With a convenient and richly varied set of sounds, iWAVESTATION can be the foundation for either of these music production environments. More info at korg.com

Screenshots

SampleTank4 screens
KORG iWAVESTATION4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: KORG iWAVESTATION at 4.2 against SampleTank's 2.7. KORG iWAVESTATION also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 30%). SampleTank's advantage is price ($24.99 vs $29.99) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On ratings volume, 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

SampleTank costs $24.99 and KORG iWAVESTATION $29.99 up front. SampleTank sells 13 one-off in-app purchases and KORG iWAVESTATION sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

KORG iWAVESTATION holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 107 and 132 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of SampleTank's written reviews are positive against 69% of KORG iWAVESTATION's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SampleTank ships an update every 2 months, KORG iWAVESTATION every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SampleTank versus KORG iWAVESTATION: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSampleTankKORG iWAVESTATION
Price$24.99 — better$29.99
Rating2.7 (107 ratings)4.2 (132 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.8% of reviews69.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings107132 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.5 GB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIK Multimedia US, LLCKORG INC.

Customer experience

SampleTank

All ratings107 ratings
Positive33.6%
Neutral16.8%
Negative49.5%
Written reviews305 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral13.4%
Negative56.7%

KORG iWAVESTATION

All ratings132 ratings
Positive78.8%
Neutral8.3%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews203 reviews
Positive69.0%
Neutral17.2%
Negative13.8%

User reviews

SampleTank

From 107 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great sounding app
  • 👍 Lots of instrument options
  • 🚀 Useful for live performance
  • 👍 Decent sound quality
  • 👍 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with iOS updates
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🔒 Lack of user manual access
  • 🔒 Aggressive advertising for other products

KORG iWAVESTATION

From 132 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎹 Classic synth sounds
  • 👍 Improved interface over hardware
  • 🎨 Excellent sound design capabilities
  • 🎉 Randomize feature for inspiration
  • 🔌 Gadget integration

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Lack of preset search/organization
  • 🔊 Weak filter capabilities
  • 🔌 No MIDI channel selection
  • 🔌 Limited MIDI control options

Bugs and requests

SampleTank

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Freezes when adjusting parameters
  • Crashes on launch for some users
  • Incompatible with certain iOS versions
  • Issues with downloading and restoring in-app purchases

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Audio Unit (AUv3)
  • Improve MIDI integration and control
  • Implement a more robust sequencer
  • Allow user-defined pitch bend range
  • Add ability to back up and restore custom presets

KORG iWAVESTATION

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes when saving user presets
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add AUv3 support
  • Improve preset management and browsing
  • Enhance MIDI functionality (channel selection, more CCs)
  • Expand filter options (high-pass, band-pass)

In-app purchases

13 purchases

SampleTank

One-time13
  • Organ$4.99
  • Strings$4.99
  • Brass$4.99
Show 10 more
  • Synth Pads$4.99
  • Synth Leads$4.99
  • Electric Piano$7.99
  • The Grid$14.99
  • 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
  • Miroslav Philarmonik 2 - All Sounds Pack$64.99
1 purchases

KORG iWAVESTATION

One-time1
  • Expansion Card Pack$4.99

Questions

Is SampleTank free?
SampleTank costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is KORG iWAVESTATION free?
KORG iWAVESTATION costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SampleTank or KORG iWAVESTATION?
KORG iWAVESTATION is rated higher. SampleTank averages 2.7 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while KORG iWAVESTATION averages 4.2 from 132 ratings.
Do SampleTank or KORG iWAVESTATION have ads?
Neither SampleTank nor KORG iWAVESTATION shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SampleTank or KORG iWAVESTATION?
SampleTank ships an update every 2 months, and KORG iWAVESTATION every 5 months. Most recently, SampleTank was updated on September 25, 2026 and KORG iWAVESTATION on September 23, 2026.

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