Comparison

Djembe! vs Darbuka

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

Head to head
About

Djembe!

Experience the authentic sound of African drums on your mobile device. Explore various drum types, play along to beats, or jam with your own music. Features include realistic graphics, high-quality audio, and recording capabilities.

Highlights
  • Multiple African drum types
  • Professionally recorded sounds
  • Play along to beats and loops
  • Integrates with iPod music
  • Recording and sharing options
  • Realistic 3D visual effects
  • Metronome with adjustable tempo
Features
Read full description

Have you always wanted to play an African drum? Now you can, anytime, anywhere, with Djembe! Featuring professionally recorded sounds and high quality graphics, Djembe! is the ultimate African drumming app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. You can play a large Djembe, small Djembe, or even play intricate beats like a pro with 2 different Djembe jams. Play alone, to the metronome with 43 different sounds, or to over 80 unique Pocket Beats and Loops. You can even play along to your favorite music on your iPod right from within Djembe!. With features including amazing 3D effect when hitting the drums, low latency 16-bit stereo sounds, slide 'n play, pitch control, ability to share and export your recordings (optional in-app purchase), drum rolls, and more, you'll sound like a pro from the moment you start playing! FEATURES: • 7 different layouts: Large Djembe, Small Djembe, Djembe Jam 1, Djembe Jam 2, African Drum, Bata Drum, and Talking Drum • 4 Unique Playing Zones on each drum create a realistic sounding drum • 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) • 63 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 Djembe! • 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 Djembe! 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

Djembe!4 screens
Darbuka4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Djembe! at 4.7 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. Djembe! 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

Djembe! holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 19 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Djembe! versus Darbuka: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDjembe!Darbuka
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (46 ratings) — better3.8 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings46 — better19
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
Size45 MB206 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperDrum StarzAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Djembe!

All ratings46 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral8.7%
Negative39.1%

Darbuka

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

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Djembe!

One-time2
  • Djembe! Upgrade$0.99
  • Exporting$0.99
1 purchases

Darbuka

One-time1
  • Get Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Djembe! free?
Djembe! 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, Djembe! or Darbuka?
Djembe! is rated higher. Djembe! averages 4.7 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Darbuka averages 3.8 from 19 ratings.
Do Djembe! or Darbuka have ads?
Both Djembe! and Darbuka show ads.
Which is updated more often, Djembe! or Darbuka?
Djembe! ships an update every 3 months, and Darbuka every 3 months. Most recently, Djembe! was updated on October 15, 2026 and Darbuka on October 12, 2026.

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