Comparison

Hand Drums vs Taiko Sim

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

Taiko Sim

Experience the authentic sound and feel of the taiko, a traditional Japanese drum. This app offers realistic tones, customizable interfaces, and multiple play modes for musicians and enthusiasts. Record and share your drumming performances.

Highlights
  • Authentic taiko sounds
  • Customizable interface
  • Three dynamic play modes
  • Built-in performance recorder
  • Easy music sharing
  • Elegant and intuitive design
Features
Read full description

Experience the thunderous energy of the taiko, a traditional Japanese drum known for its deep, resonant tones and dynamic rhythms. Taiko Sim brings the authentic sound and feel of this iconic instrument to your fingertips, offering a realistic and engaging platform for musicians, learners, and enthusiasts alike. About the Taiko The taiko, often referred to as the “heartbeat of Japan,” is a traditional drum deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Played with wooden sticks (bachi), taiko drums are used in festivals, ceremonies, and performances, creating powerful, resonant beats that captivate audiences. From solo performances to large ensemble drumming (kumi-daiko), taiko embodies energy, precision, and spirit, making it a symbol of rhythm and unity. Why You’ll Love Taiko Sim Authentic Taiko Sounds Enjoy meticulously sampled taiko tones, capturing the deep bass and sharp percussive attacks that define this powerful instrument. Perfect for traditional rhythms or modern drumming styles. Customizable Interface Adjust the drum layout and touch sensitivity to suit your playing style. Whether you’re practicing traditional taiko patterns or creating innovative rhythms, Taiko Sim adapts effortlessly to your needs. Three Dynamic Play Modes Free Play Mode: Combine notes and rhythms to create layered, dynamic performances. Single Note Mode: Focus on individual strikes and refine your technique for precision and power. Soft Release Mode: Add a natural fade-out effect for smooth and authentic performances. Record Your Performances Capture your taiko drumming effortlessly with the built-in recorder. Perfect for reviewing your progress, composing rhythmic patterns, or sharing your artistry. Share Your Music Easily share your taiko performances with friends, family, or audiences worldwide, spreading the excitement and power of this iconic instrument. What Makes Taiko Sim Unique? True-to-Life Sound: Every strike replicates the bold, resonant tones of a real taiko drum, offering an authentic drumming experience. Cultural Significance: Immerse yourself in the heritage of Japanese festivals and traditional music while exploring modern drumming techniques. Elegant Design: A sleek, intuitive interface ensures a seamless experience for musicians of all levels. Creative Freedom: Whether performing traditional taiko rhythms or experimenting with contemporary beats, Taiko Sim inspires endless possibilities for musical expression. Download Taiko Sim today and let the powerful rhythms of the taiko inspire your music!

Screenshots

Hand Drums4 screens
Taiko Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Taiko Sim at 5.0 against Hand Drums's 4.0. Taiko Sim also leads on 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 Taiko Sim 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

Taiko Sim holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hand Drums versus Taiko Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHand DrumsTaiko Sim
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (11 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews10.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better6
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 MB129 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%

Taiko Sim

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Hand Drums

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

Taiko Sim

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Hand Drums free?
Hand Drums is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Taiko Sim free?
Taiko Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hand Drums or Taiko Sim?
Taiko Sim is rated higher. Hand Drums averages 4.0 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Taiko Sim averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Hand Drums or Taiko Sim have ads?
Both Hand Drums and Taiko Sim show ads.
Which is updated more often, Hand Drums or Taiko Sim?
Hand Drums ships an update every 3 months, and Taiko Sim every 3 months. Most recently, Hand Drums was updated on October 19, 2026 and Taiko Sim on October 15, 2026.

Other comparisons