Samplr vs Koala FX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- 16 one-touch creative effects
- Intuitive instrument-like playability
- Save and crossfade between 8 scenes
- Rearrangeable effect order
- Automatable parameters
- Resizable UI
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*** 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
Verdict
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
Samplr costs $19.99 and Koala FX $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Samplr | Koala FX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (149 ratings) — better | 4.6 (76 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 79.5% of reviews — better | 65.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 149 — better | 76 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 34 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Marcos Alonso | Mazbox Limited |
Customer experience
Samplr
Koala FX
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
Samplr
No in-app purchases
Koala FX
No in-app purchases







