Comparison

Samplr vs Cubase iC Pro

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

Cubase iC Pro

This app acts as a personal recording assistant, offering advanced control over your music production software. It provides a clear project overview, a detailed mixer view, and a powerful tool for customizing key commands and macros.

Highlights
  • Project overview
  • Mixer view
  • Key command customization
  • Macro setup
  • Recording assistant
Read full description

Connecting more deeply to Cubase than any other app, Cubase iC Pro is your personal recording assistant. An advanced Cubase control app with a clear focus on recording, the project overview page and mixer allow you to see your project just as you know it in Cubase, while the key command page gives you a powerful tool for setting up your most-used keyboard shortcuts and macros. It’s the perfect Cubase companion! Please note that Cubase iC Pro is a remote control app and will not function without a connection to Cubase. Some of its functionality only works in combination with advanced Cubase versions. Important Note: The Steinberg SKI Remote must be installed before using Cubase iC Pro. It can be downloaded at http://www.steinberg.net/ski. For the complete list of new features, improvements, issues and solutions in Cubase iC Pro 1.3.0, please visit us at https://forums.steinberg.net/c/mobile-apps. If you like Cubase iC Pro, please support us by rating it on the App Store!

Screenshots

Cubase iC Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cubase iC Pro at $9.99 against Samplr's $19.99. Cubase iC Pro also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Samplr's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (79% vs 38%). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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 Cubase iC Pro $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Samplr holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 149 and 182 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Samplr's written reviews are positive against 38% of Cubase iC Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Samplr ships an update every 3 months, Cubase iC Pro every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Samplr versus Cubase iC Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamplrCubase iC Pro
Price$19.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.7 (149 ratings) — better3.9 (182 ratings)
Positive reviews79.5% of reviews — better38.4% of reviews
Number of ratings149182 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcos AlonsoSteinberg Media Technologies GmbH

Customer experience

Samplr

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

Cubase iC Pro

All ratings182 ratings
Positive72.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative22.0%
Written reviews305 reviews
Positive38.4%
Neutral10.5%
Negative51.1%

User reviews

Samplr

From 149 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and responsive interface
  • 🎨 Powerful sample manipulation capabilities
  • 🎶 Excellent for live performance and sound design
  • 💰 Great value for the price
  • 🎉 Inspiring and creative app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 🔌 Lack of audio import/export options
  • 🔀 Difficulty with sample organization and management
  • 🔇 Missing features like panning, MIDI support, and AUv3

Cubase iC Pro

From 182 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Awesome little helper
  • 👍 Works flawlessly with Cubase 13 Pro and 14 Pro
  • 👍 Very useful addition
  • 👍 Fantastica
  • 👍 Great Controller

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Will Not Connect…Useless App
  • 🐛 Pas fini
  • 🐛 Needs improvement
  • 🐛 Crashes on iphone
  • 🐛 This was great but now crashes upon opening

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

Cubase iC Pro

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Odd behavior with Cubase 14?
  • Crashes on iphone
  • This was great but now crashes upon opening
  • Funktioniert leider nicht
  • Crashes on iphone
Show 2 more
  • This was great but now crashes upon opening
  • Funktioniert leider nicht

Requested features

3 requests
  • Keyboard and chord pad triggers
  • Bars/beat display on the timeline ruler
  • Sélection des pistes pour permettre de travailler en déporté

In-app purchases

None

Samplr

No in-app purchases

None

Cubase iC Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Samplr free?
Samplr costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cubase iC Pro free?
Cubase iC Pro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Samplr or Cubase iC Pro?
Samplr is rated higher. Samplr averages 4.7 out of 5 from 149 ratings, while Cubase iC Pro averages 3.9 from 182 ratings.
Do Samplr or Cubase iC Pro have ads?
Neither Samplr nor Cubase iC Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Samplr or Cubase iC Pro?
Samplr ships an update every 3 months, and Cubase iC Pro every 2 months. Most recently, Samplr was updated on July 25, 2026 and Cubase iC Pro on September 24, 2026.

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