Comparison

Samplr vs Borderlands Granular

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

Borderlands Granular

Explore and transform sounds by layering tiny audio fragments. Sculpt evolving timbres and textures using touch, gravity, or by loading your own audio files. Save and recall complex soundscapes for live performance or studio work.

Highlights
  • Granular synthesis engine
  • Touch and accelerometer control
  • Load and export custom audio
  • Audiobus and Audioshare integration
  • Real-time input and re-sampling
  • Preset and scene saving
  • Looping and automation recording
Read full description

Touch, transform, and explore sound with granular synthesis, a technique involving the superposition of tiny fragments of sound, or “grains," to create complex, evolving timbres and textures. “The best app for exploring sound just got better... This is 'go out and buy an iPad to run it' good stuff.“ -Peter Kirn, Create Digital Music “Borderlands has floored us. It is very rare that we find an app that is not only fun to use, but extremely useful. It is truly inspiring. The interface is stunning, the sounds are so evocative: they're a film composer's dream.” Paul Hepker and Mark Kilian, Film Composers (Tsotsi, Rendition, Eye in the Sky) “It’s beautiful, it’s absolutely great. It goes in a completely new direction. I wish software companies would make more [programs] like that for the computer and not only for the iPad.” Christian Fennesz, Experimental Musician. Interview from Tiny Mix Tapes, May 2014 “When I first saw the demo video for Borderlands Granular in 2012, my jaw hit the floor. My first thought was ‘THIS is what making music on an iPad should be.’” Sean Garland, iOSMars.com About ------------ Create, drag, and throw pulsing clouds of grains over a landscape of audio files, or use the built-in accelerometer to sculpt sound with gravity. Borderlands comes ready to play with default sample content included, but you can also load and export your own sounds via Audiobus, Audioshare, and real time input from the mic or external audio interfaces. Re-sample recordings made within the app on-the-fly for layers-upon-layers of granulation. You can also improvise alongside the app - touches and parameters may be recorded, looped, stored, and duplicated. Entire configurations of clouds, sounds, and automation can be saved into presets, or “scenes,” that may be recalled at a later time, allowing Borderlands to seamlessly transition between the studio and the stage. More information is available at www.borderlands-granular.com Instagram: borderlands_granular Twitter: @BorderlandsiPad Facebook: BorderlandsGranular

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Samplr at every 3 months against Borderlands Granular's every 16 months. Borderlands Granular's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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 Borderlands Granular $19.99 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 4.8 for Borderlands Granular. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 149 and 124 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 79% and 79% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Samplr ships an update every 3 months, Borderlands Granular every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Samplr versus Borderlands Granular: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamplrBorderlands Granular
Price$19.99$19.99
Rating4.7 (149 ratings)4.8 (124 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.5% of reviews — better78.8% of reviews
Number of ratings149 — better124
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 16 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS12.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcos AlonsoChris Carlson

Customer experience

Samplr

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

Borderlands Granular

All ratings124 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral4.0%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews208 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral12.0%
Negative9.1%

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

Borderlands Granular

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Samplr

No in-app purchases

None

Borderlands Granular

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Samplr free?
Samplr costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Borderlands Granular free?
Borderlands Granular costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Samplr or Borderlands Granular?
Borderlands Granular is rated higher. Samplr averages 4.7 out of 5 from 149 ratings, while Borderlands Granular averages 4.8 from 124 ratings.
Do Samplr or Borderlands Granular have ads?
Neither Samplr nor Borderlands Granular shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Samplr or Borderlands Granular?
Samplr ships an update every 3 months, and Borderlands Granular every 16 months. Most recently, Samplr was updated on October 11, 2026 and Borderlands Granular on October 13, 2026.

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