Comparison

SessionBand Original vs GripBeats

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

Head to head
About

SessionBand Original

Create professional-quality music in minutes with this chord-based loop app. It converts selected chords into studio-quality audio across 71 genres, even if you have no musical experience. Build, mix, and share royalty-free tracks on the go.

Highlights
  • Chord-based audio loops
  • 71 music styles
  • Instant style flipping
  • Track builder
  • Auto-transpose
  • Mix and record tracks
  • Royalty-free music creation
Read full description

Create professional quality music in minutes with the original multi-genre version of the award-winning SessionBand – the world's only chord-based loop app. “Perfect for songwriters, producers, singers and music newbies“ 148 Apps SessionBand instantly converts the chords you select into studio-quality audio - wherever you are, whatever your level of ability and whatever your type of music. With over 80,000 chord-based audio loops created by the UK's top session musicians and producers now included as part of the download, creating your own royalty-free music is minutes away – even if you can't play a note! From cutting-edge Guetta-style Pop/Dance, to authentic Deep House, Britpop or Bluegrass. From Pop Rock to Grime, there are 71 styles to suit every taste with the SessionBand Original app and once you've created a track in one style, sit back and hear it played in all the other styles...instantly. Little wonder that SessionBand Original has reached No 1 in the paid music app rankings in 34 countries since launch. “Remarkably polished“ Forbes “Create like a master“ Engadget “This app has numerous features to make your track sound professional and stunning“ AppPicker Watch the video at sessionbandapp.com PLEASE NOTE – THE EXCLUSIVE MUSICAL CONTENT IN THIS APP IS NOT DUPLICATED IN ANY OF THE OTHER SESSIONBAND APPS. The fastest way to create studio-quality music... • Simply pick one of 71 styles • Choose your chords • Stretch or shorten loops in seconds • Build up a full track in minutes • Instantly hear your track across all the other styles! • Auto-transpose your entire track (not electronic pitch shift!) • Mix your track (manual or automated) • Adjust track tempo (+/- 15%) • Record direct to audio • Copy straight to other music apps (if you want to) • Share with the world! Unique features that revolutionise songwriting... • Create a track in one style and 'flip' it to hear it in all the other styles...instantly • Listen to your R&B track with a Reggae vibe or your Rock track in Dubstep. • Build a complete track in a few minutes with all-new 'Track Builder' • Mix, record and export your tracks in minutes Get the UK's best musicians and producers working on your songs! - Benefit from the people who record with some of the world's biggest stars including Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Mel C, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Sugababes and Cheryl Cole. - Over 80,000 copyright-free audio loops covering 71 diverse styles they have been created exclusively for SessionBand now included with the download. Create great sounding real music on the go... • No internet access required once the app and all the styles are downloaded • Create studio-quality music absolutely anywhere! Anyone can create and release professional tracks with SessionBand... • No musical experience required • Simple, intuitive interface allows easy chord/loop selection and manipulation • Audition loops as you go • Build a full track in minutes • Highly educational and great fun • All SessionBand loops are copyright-free so you can include them freely in your music whether it's for commercial release or not Get more for your money... - The download now includes all 71 sets of audio loops covering a wide range of styles from Acoustic, Blues and Dance all the way through to Hip Hop/Rap, Rock and Urban/R&B.

About

GripBeats

Create music using intuitive touch controls and motion. This application allows users to explore their creativity by making sounds through interactive gestures.

Highlights
  • Music creation
  • Touch controls
  • Motion input
  • Sound generation
  • Creative expression
Features
Read full description

Music making through touch and movement.

Screenshots

SessionBand Original4 screens
GripBeats4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: GripBeats at Free against SessionBand Original's $8.99. GripBeats also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8). SessionBand Original's advantage is ratings volume (87 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

GripBeats is free to download; SessionBand Original costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GripBeats holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SessionBand Original has 87 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SessionBand Original versus GripBeats: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionBand OriginalGripBeats
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (87 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings87 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size1000 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUK Music Apps LtdWTUS LLC

Customer experience

SessionBand Original

All ratings87 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral10.3%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews180 reviews
Positive51.7%
Neutral17.8%
Negative30.6%

GripBeats

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

SessionBand Original

Reported bugs

23 issues
  • App crashes when saving chord progressions
  • App crashes when editing chords
  • App crashes when adding more than one chord
  • App crashes after importing files
  • App crashes on iPhone X when returning to app
Show 18 more
  • App crashes when headphones are connected
  • App crashes frequently during normal use
  • App fails to launch after updates
  • App hangs during installation
  • Downloads randomly stop after 5-10 seconds
  • Audio distortion issues
  • Tempo not matching set BPM
  • Exported audio out of sync with metronome
  • Exported files shorter than expected
  • Lag when exporting to other DAWs like Cubasis
  • Sharp/flat buttons not responding
  • App freezes when scrolling text input
  • Loop playback doesn't match visual GUI
  • Exported audio includes muted channels
  • Audio quality degradation when changing speed
  • Timing issues when exporting
  • BPM inconsistency between app versions
  • Audiobus export sends entire mix despite muting channels

Requested features

25 requests
  • Audiobus compatibility
  • MIDI file export functionality
  • Pause/play button in edit mode
  • Real-time MIDI keyboard input support
  • Zoomed-out preview for full page view during performance
Show 20 more
  • PDF export capability
  • Slash chord support
  • Song part coloring options
  • Ability to mix and match styles between packs
  • Key change within song functionality
  • More chord variations (9ths, diminished, 6ths, etc.)
  • Batch download for all styles at once
  • Background audio playback capability
  • More jazz, funk, fusion, and pop styles
  • Melody line feature
  • Tempo and style change during song
  • Automation mode
  • Copy/paste functionality for multiple measures
  • Variations within same style
  • Ableton Link support
  • Ability to use saved chord progressions across all packs
  • More Irish/Celtic jigs and reels styles
  • Audio recording over backing tracks
  • Pinch zoom functionality
  • Scroll position marker on scroll bar

GripBeats

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SessionBand Original

No in-app purchases

None

GripBeats

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SessionBand Original free?
SessionBand Original costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is GripBeats free?
GripBeats is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SessionBand Original or GripBeats?
GripBeats is rated higher. SessionBand Original averages 3.8 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while GripBeats averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SessionBand Original or GripBeats have ads?
Neither SessionBand Original nor GripBeats shows ads.

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