Comparison

Hand Drums vs Darbuka

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

Head to head
About

Hand Drums

Explore a collection of 25 professionally recorded hand drums, including bongos, congas, and djembes. Play along to a metronome, custom beats, or your own music library. Record and share your drumming creations.

Highlights
  • 25 professionally recorded hand drums
  • Play along to metronome, beats, and loops
  • Record and share drumming sessions
  • Pitch and roll controls
  • Play along with iPod music
  • Visual 3D effects
Features
Read full description

If you've always wanted to play the bongos, conga, or any other hand drum, or already know how, Hand Drums Free is for you! Easy to use, extremely fun and entertaining, Hand Drums Free features 25 unique hand drums, including Bongos, Conga, Djembe, Doumbek, Cajon, Tabla and more, all professionally recorded in high quality 16 bit stereo. You can play alone, to a metronome, or to unique Pocket Beats and Loops. You can even play along to the music on your iPod right from within Hand Drums Free. With features including pitch control, ability to share and export your recordings (optional in-app purchase), metronome, drum rolls, drum loops, and more, you'll sound like a pro from the moment you start playing! FEATURES: • 25 different hand drums, all professionally recorded in high-quality 16-bit stereo: Bendir, Bongo, Bongo Jam, Boudran, Cajon, Conga, Djembe, Doumbek, Duff, Electronic Drums, Frame Drum, Frame Drum with Bells, Mini Djembe, Pakhawaj, Snare & Bass, Tabla, Talking Drum, Tambourine, Timbale, and Tom Tom, with more to follow. • 4 Unique Playing Zones on each drum create a realistic drumming experience. • Share your recordings through email, Facebook, and Twitter • Export your recordings to your computer (optional in-app purchase) • Visual 3D effect when drums are hit maximizes the drumming experience • Metronome with 43 sounds to choose from and variable speed switch (BPM) • 67 Pocket Beats and Loops to play along to • PlayAlong Beats: 16 new loops with basic bass drum, hi-hat or snare beats, to play along for added rhythmic expression! • Slide your finger between the drums • Shake your device to play sounds to your favorite music • Play drum heads simultaneously • Play along with your favorite music by easily accessing your iPod music right from within Hand Drums Free • Volume controls for both the drum sounds and music • Pitch control allows for unlimited drum sounds • Rolls on drums with variable speed adjustment (BPM) • Using headphones will allow you to fully enjoy the high quality sounds of Hand Drums Free PRIVACY POLICY: http://codyrotwein.com/privacy.html

About

Darbuka

Explore the authentic sounds of the darbuka, a traditional percussion instrument. This app offers realistic tones, multiple play modes, and recording capabilities for musicians and enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean rhythms.

Highlights
  • Authentic darbuka sounds
  • Three dynamic play modes
  • Record performances
  • Share music easily
  • Intuitive design
Features
Read full description

Discover the vibrant and energetic sounds of the darbuka, a traditional percussion instrument at the heart of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African music. Darbuka brings the authentic sound and rhythmic power of this iconic instrument to your fingertips, providing an immersive experience for musicians, learners, and music enthusiasts. About the Darbuka The darbuka, also known as the goblet drum, is a hand-played percussion instrument with a distinct goblet shape. It’s widely used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean music, known for its sharp, resonant tones and ability to create intricate rhythms. The darbuka’s versatility allows it to be played in various styles, from classical Arabic music to modern dance beats, making it a dynamic instrument that connects both the performer and the audience to the pulse of the music. Why You’ll Love Darbuka Authentic Darbuka Sounds Experience meticulously sampled darbuka tones, from deep bass notes to crisp, high-pitched taps, replicating the full range of this dynamic instrument. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Play multiple notes at once to create complex, layered rhythms. Single Note Mode: Focus on individual strokes and refine your technique for perfect rhythmic precision. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural fade-out effect for smooth and authentic performances. Record Your Performances Capture your darbuka music with the built-in recorder. Perfect for reviewing, refining your skills, or sharing your creations. Share Your Music Easily share your darbuka performances with friends, family, or audiences worldwide, showcasing the energy and beauty of this percussion instrument. What Makes Darbuka Unique? True-to-Life Sound: Every stroke replicates the authentic, powerful tones of a real darbuka, allowing you to play traditional and modern rhythms. Cultural Significance: Immerse yourself in the heritage of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean rhythms while exploring modern beats. Elegant and Intuitive Design: A sleek and user-friendly interface ensures a seamless experience for musicians of all levels. Creative Freedom: Whether playing traditional folk rhythms or creating innovative drum patterns, Darbuka offers endless possibilities for musical expression. Download Darbuka today and let the infectious rhythms of the darbuka inspire your music!

Screenshots

Hand Drums4 screens
Darbuka4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hand Drums at 4.0 against Darbuka's 3.8. Darbuka's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Hand Drums sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Darbuka 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

Hand Drums holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 19 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hand Drums versus Darbuka: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHand DrumsDarbuka
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (11 ratings) — better3.8 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews10.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1119 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB206 MB
Age rating+94+
DeveloperDrum StarzAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Hand Drums

All ratings11 ratings
Positive63.6%
Neutral18.2%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive10.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative80.0%

Darbuka

All ratings19 ratings
Positive73.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.3%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Hand Drums

One-time2
  • Hand Drums Upgrade$0.99
  • Exporting$0.99
1 purchases

Darbuka

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Hand Drums free?
Hand Drums is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Darbuka free?
Darbuka is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hand Drums or Darbuka?
Hand Drums is rated higher. Hand Drums averages 4.0 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Darbuka averages 3.8 from 19 ratings.
Do Hand Drums or Darbuka have ads?
Both Hand Drums and Darbuka show ads.
Which is updated more often, Hand Drums or Darbuka?
Hand Drums ships an update every 3 months, and Darbuka every 3 months. Most recently, Hand Drums was updated on October 19, 2026 and Darbuka on October 12, 2026.

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