Comparison

harpSampler vs ARPJAM

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

Head to head
About

harpSampler

Transform your device into a multi-touch harp by importing your own sounds or using the built-in sampler. Create unique musical instruments and special effects with adjustable octaves, scales, and chords.

Highlights
  • Import custom sounds for instrument generation
  • Automatic 8-octave harp creation
  • Multi-touch interface for live performance
  • Adjustable scales and chords
  • Real-time sound bending and start position control
  • Record live performances
Features
Read full description

"harpSampler" transforms your device into a professional multi-touch harp with sound sampler. Simply create your own sound sample (an "A" or "LA" note for musical instrument sound or any note for special sounds or special effects): - using the "REC" button of harpSampler (uses the internal microphone of the device to record the sound sample for the harp) - importing the sound sample that you have created with a wave editor for MAC or PC in your device through iTunes synchronization - using copy / paste for the audio file you have created using the technology "iTunes File Sharing" Once imported the sound sample, harpSampler tool will automatically create the complete "Harp" (with 8 octaves). At which point you can play your harp (with the sound created by you or using the default "HARP" sound included in the application bundle), or entertain your friends with a scale of special effects (harp style). The software is able to read all files / audio samples that are compatible with your portable device (.wav, .mp3, .m4a, .caf, etc ...), you can then create your sound (you only need one audio file) using standard wave editor for Mac or PC, add reverb, chorus, special effects (you can manipulate the sound as you wish), save it in the file format that you prefer and use harpSampler to automatically create the complete musical instrument, to be played like an harp. Using the "SAMPLE START POSITION" control you can choose the exact play start position of the sound sample ("wave cut"). Using the "REC" button you can record your live performance or record a new sound sample to be assigned to the musical instrument. Using the different scales (You can choose the scale You want from the "SCALE" menu), you do not need necessarily to be an expert musician to play some beautiful scales with your harp. Also, using the "chords" control (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) you can choose the chord for your harp or scale ("chords" work together with the "scale") . With harpSampler You can create the harp of your dreams or, in general, you can create any kind of musical instrument, or special effects generator and play it like an harp! Features: - Import any sound, and automatic generation of the musical instrument (8 octaves) - Storing infinite sounds using the archive of sound samples "Samples Archive" of harpSampler - Harp multi-touch for live music performances - Check for increase / decrease the eighth harp used in real time - "Bending" control to change the sound of the device in real time - "Sample Start Position" control:     you can remove the initial part of a sample (eg. silence), specifying the play start time of the sample ("wave cut" feature) - "STOP" button to immediately stop the harp sound - Harp with multiple voices (up to 96 voices) - Default "HARP" sound provided with the app - Ability to "record" musical patterns during the live performance:     start the recording (pressing the "REC" button), harpSampler will record an audio file of the music you are playing with the harp musical instrument (press a cable of the harp to play the recorded audio of Your live performance) - "CHORDS" control - Multiple scales selectable from the "SCALE" menu - Virtual keyboard, pressing the "V. KEYB.": disable the automatic scale and enable the virtual keyboard on the cables of the harp *** PROMOTIONAL MESSAGE: If You want to play the "Golden Gate Bridge" like a giant harp, using the sound samples of the Golden Gate Bridge itself, You can download the app "Play The Golden Gate Bridge". The sound samples of the "Golden Gate Bridge" provided with the "Play The Golden Gate Bridge" app were sampled by the "San Francisco Synthesizer Ensemble" company. Amazing sounds… Try it !!! ***

About

ARPJAM

This app generates evolving ambient music using two independent arpeggio engines. It features a generative drum machine, sound design tools, and external instrument synchronization. Save and recall your favorite musical setups.

Highlights
  • Dual arpeggio engines
  • Generative drum machine
  • Sound design controls
  • External instrument sync (Ableton Link, MIDI Clock)
  • Save and recall presets
  • Built-in timer
Features
Read full description

ARPJAM is an arpeggio synthesizer that generates ever-evolving ambient music. Layer two independent arpeggio engines, each with its own waveform, scale, and pattern, and let the app weave an endless soundscape that shifts and breathes on its own. ■ Two Arpeggio Engines ARP A and ARP B run simultaneously, each with its own mode, scale, range, waveform, filter, and envelope. Five pattern modes: Random & Chord, Repeat, Random Single, Skank, and Drone. ■ Generative Drums A probability-based drum machine. Tune the firing density, double-hit chance, and open/closed hi-hat ratio for kick, snare, and hihat to create rhythms that evolve naturally alongside the arpeggio. ■ Sound Design Four waveforms — sine, triangle, sawtooth, square. Adjust the low-pass filter, attack, and overdrive per engine. Add depth with ping-pong delay and reverb. ■ Sync with External Instruments [NEW in v1.4] Ableton Link support — wirelessly sync tempo and bar phase with Ableton Move, Live, Koala, and other Link-enabled instruments on the same Wi-Fi network. USB-C MIDI Clock reception is also supported. Sample-accurate timing alignment, with a fine-tune Offset slider for each setup. ■ Redesigned Settings Panel [v1.4] Settings are now organized into five colored sections — Oscillator, Filter, Envelope, Algorithm, and Effects. Each section collapses individually or in bulk, and the state persists between launches. Jump directly to any section via the side rail (iPad) or sticky bar (iPhone). Clear square ON/OFF switches and vivid theme colors — orange for ARP A, lime for ARP B, cyan for Drums — make the whole panel far easier to navigate. ■ Save & Recall Four start presets (Default + SAVE 1/2/3) let you recall your favorite setups with a single tap from the start screen. Presets can be exported and imported as .arpjam files to share with other ARPJAM users. ■ Built-in Timer Choose countdown or infinite mode. The timer fades out with a gentle resolving chord — perfect as a sleep timer or as a companion to meditation. • 8 scales including pentatonic modes • 12 keys (Just Intonation / Equal Temperament switchable) • Groove control for swing feel • BPM 30–200 • English / Japanese language support • Ableton Link / MIDI Clock sync

Screenshots

harpSampler4 screens
ARPJAM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ARPJAM at Free against harpSampler's $0.99. ARPJAM also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and review sentiment (33% vs 0%). harpSampler's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

ARPJAM is free to download; harpSampler costs $0.99 up front. ARPJAM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. harpSampler asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ARPJAM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of harpSampler's written reviews are positive against 33% of ARPJAM's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

harpSampler ships an update every 37 months, ARPJAM daily. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
harpSampler versus ARPJAM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterharpSamplerARPJAM
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGianluca NataliniTakashi Tsunoda

Customer experience

harpSampler

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

ARPJAM

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

harpSampler

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ARPJAM

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is harpSampler free?
harpSampler costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ARPJAM free?
ARPJAM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, harpSampler or ARPJAM?
ARPJAM is rated higher. harpSampler averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ARPJAM averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do harpSampler or ARPJAM have ads?
Neither harpSampler nor ARPJAM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, harpSampler or ARPJAM?
harpSampler ships an update every 37 months, and ARPJAM daily. Most recently, harpSampler was updated on November 1, 2026 and ARPJAM on October 31, 2026.

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