Comparison

Samplr vs Koala FX

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

Head to head
About

Samplr

This app offers a unique multitouch interface for exploring and manipulating audio samples. Create music through various play modes, record gestures for sequencing, and experiment with audio effects. It's designed for audio experimentation, composition, and live performance.

Highlights
  • 8 distinct play modes (Slicer, Looper, Granular, etc.)
  • Gesture recorder for sequencing
  • Audio input recording and resampling
  • 6 sample slots with 16 voices each
  • 5 per-sample effects (Distortion, Reverb, etc.)
  • Import audio from cloud storage and other apps
Read full description

The app used by renowned musicians like Fred again.., Richard Devine, Apparat, Weval or Matmos live and in the studio. Samplr introduced a brand new way to make music, only possible on multitouch devices. Explore the samples melody and texture using the different play modes and create compositions with the gesture recorder. Samplr is the ideal tool for audio experimentation, music composition and live performance. USER REVIEWS “The most profound audio manipulation tool on iOS” 5 stars “There is NOTHING on the market hardware or software like this” 5 stars “Stunningly beautiful interface and exceptionally easy to use” 5 stars “This is the most musical app I've ever used. It's polished, it's musical, it's fun, it's inspiring” 5 stars “It’s the best realization of what touch screen sampling should be” 5 stars FEATURES • 8 play modes: Slicer, Looper, Granular, Tape, Scratch, Arpeggiator, Keyboard and Loop Player • Gesture recorder for sequencing • Audio input recording and resampling • 6 sample slots (x16 voices) • 5 effects per sample: Distortion, Filter, Amplitude Modulator, Feedback Delay and Reverb COMPATIBILITY • Ableton Link • MIDI Keyboard, Controller and Sync input • IAA (Inter-App Audio) • Audiobus Input and Output • WAV and AIFF file support • Import files from iCloud Drive, Dropbox, AudioShare, etc Learn more and see how it works on samplr.net. For feedback or support please reach out to support@samplr.net

About

Koala FX

This creative effects unit offers 16 intuitive, one-touch effects to easily transform your audio. Morph and twist tracks, sculpt synth sounds, or add lofi warmth. Save and crossfade between scenes for dynamic musical arrangements.

Highlights
  • 16 one-touch creative effects
  • Intuitive instrument-like playability
  • Save and crossfade between 8 scenes
  • Rearrangeable effect order
  • Automatable parameters
  • Resizable UI
Features
Read full description

*** IMPORTANT! Koala FX is an Audio Unit Effect plugin (AUv3) which requires a compatible host or DAW to work such as Garageband, Beat Maker 3, AUM etc *** *** Koala FX is the ultimate creative effects unit. It offers 16 one-touch effects that you can play intuitively like an instrument, allowing you to effortlessly morph and twist your track into something beautiful. It includes all your favourite mix effects from Koala Sampler, but refined and souped up to allow super smooth cuts and crossfades. Apply effects to your whole mix just to add some lofi warmth or to liven things up… or use it to sculpt synth sounds to blend in with the rest. * Save up to 8 scenes per preset, so you can cut between them in time with the music * Smoothly crossfade between scenes with a giant 8-way X-Y pad. * Rearrange the order of the effects by dragging them. * A togglable hold mode allows you to keep some effects engaged, and others off when you let go of them. * Fully automatable via your host (effects, volume, scene, XY pad) * UI is fully resizable, works great in any aspect ratio CRUSH Bitcrusher with transistor distortion PITCH Frequency domain pitch shifter COMB Super short smooth interpolating delay with gallons of feedback RING Modeled diode ring modulator REVERB Efficient schroeder topology reverb STUTTER Loops a fragment of sound coming into koala fx and loops it in time with the music GATE Noise gate with hysteresis FILTER Combined low and high pass analog modeled filter CUTTER Chops the signal to the beat REVERSE Delay effect that reverses parts of your sound in time to the music DUB Vari-speed analog style tape delay TEMPO DELAY Tempo synced delay TALKBOX Formant filter based on human vocal tract VIBROFLANGE Half-vibrato, half-flanger DIRTY Analog modeled valve distortion COMPRESSOR Hard knee opto-style compressor with a bit of If you’re having any issues with Koala FX please get in touch at https://www.elf-audio.com/contact.php

Screenshots

Koala FX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Koala FX at $3.99 against Samplr's $19.99. Koala FX also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Samplr's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 34 months) and review sentiment (79% vs 66%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Samplr costs $19.99 and Koala FX $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Samplr against 4.6 for Koala FX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 149 and 76 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Samplr's written reviews are positive against 66% of Koala FX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Samplr ships an update every 3 months, Koala FX every 34 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Samplr versus Koala FX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamplrKoala FX
Price$19.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.7 (149 ratings) — better4.6 (76 ratings)
Positive reviews79.5% of reviews — better65.8% of reviews
Number of ratings149 — better76
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 34 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcos AlonsoMazbox Limited

Customer experience

Samplr

All ratings149 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral1.3%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews404 reviews
Positive79.5%
Neutral7.2%
Negative13.4%

Koala FX

All ratings76 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral6.6%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive65.8%
Neutral13.2%
Negative21.1%

Bugs and requests

Samplr

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Recording functionality not working as expected
  • Dropbox integration causing crashes
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Implement Ableton Link for better sync
  • Add support for more audio file formats
  • Improve sample import/export workflow
  • Introduce a more robust sequencing and automation system
  • Provide multi-channel audio output

Koala FX

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Samplr

No in-app purchases

None

Koala FX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Samplr free?
Samplr costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Koala FX free?
Koala FX costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Samplr or Koala FX?
Samplr is rated higher. Samplr averages 4.7 out of 5 from 149 ratings, while Koala FX averages 4.6 from 76 ratings.
Do Samplr or Koala FX have ads?
Neither Samplr nor Koala FX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Samplr or Koala FX?
Samplr ships an update every 3 months, and Koala FX every 34 months. Most recently, Samplr was updated on October 11, 2026 and Koala FX on October 13, 2026.

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