# Launchpad vs Beat Maker

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Launchpad at 85% against Beat Maker's 39%. Launchpad also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Launchpad sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Beat Maker sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Launchpad holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Launchpad has 35K ratings behind it against 1.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Launchpad's written reviews are positive against 39% of Beat Maker's.

Launchpad ships an update fortnightly, Beat Maker monthly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Launchpad | Beat Maker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (35K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launchpad-music-and-beat-maker/id584362474/reviews)** | [4.5 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beat-maker-sampler/id1486636843/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **35K** | 1.8K |
| Positive reviews | **84.9% of reviews** | 39.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 129 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Focusrite Audio Engineering](https://appshunter.io/developer/321949338) | [Devnex](https://appshunter.io/developer/1486636842) |

## What reviewers say

### Launchpad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launchpad-music-and-beat-maker/id584362474)

Create and remix electronic music with a professional sound library and intuitive grid interface. Layer beats, melodies, and vocals, then apply DJ-style effects to craft unique tracks. Record and share your musical creations with the world.

**Highlights:** Multi-color grid for playing sounds, Mix and remix soundpacks, DJ-style performance effects, Weekly soundpack releases, Record and share music, Import custom sounds (iPad), Ableton Link integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Launchpad Premium (Monthly) | $7.99 | per month |
| Found Sound Journey: Hip Hop | Free | one-time |
| EDM Haze | Free | one-time |
| Dub Trap | Free | one-time |
| Found Sound Journey: Techno | Free | one-time |
| FoundSoundJourney:ItalianChill | Free | one-time |
| Glitchstep | $1.99 | one-time |
| Viral Hip Hop | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hypnotic Energy | $1.99 | one-time |
| Audio Import | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun
- 🚀 Lots of beats you can use
- 🚀 Good for mental capacity
- 🚀 So good at making beats
- 🚀 Really good

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Makes it look free but not
- 🐛 Not much you can do without paying
- 🐛 Crashes while working
- 🐛 Glitchy
- 🐛 Needs bluetooth MIDI desperately

**Reported bugs**

- Audio import not working
- Inability to delete unnecessary recordings
- Inability to see name of soundpack a loop belongs to
- Pad selections disappearing when hitting stop
- Inability to import audio after updating

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit after a track is recorded, adjusting levels/adding effects
- Pause button
- Ability to duplicate a current song
- Sequencer to use drum hits
- Ability to change key of project


### Beat Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beat-maker-sampler/id1486636843)

Create professional-sounding beats on your mobile device with a wide variety of samples, including those inspired by famous songs. Enhance your tracks with effects, use a metronome for perfect timing, and record your creations to share.

**Highlights:** Create beats with samples, Use samples from famous songs, Add effects like delay and reverb, Metronome for timing, Record and share beats, Customizable themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Weekly Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good beats and sounds
- 💡 Customizable pads
- 🚀 Quick music creation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Restricted features without subscription
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and loading issues
- 💰 Aggressive monetization with ads and paywall
- 🔍 Limited sound customization options

**Reported bugs**

- Delayed audio playback
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to record and save own samples
- Longer loop lengths
- Individual pad volume control
- Import custom sound packs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Launchpad free?

Launchpad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Beat Maker free?

Beat Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Launchpad or Beat Maker?

Launchpad is rated higher. Launchpad averages 4.8 out of 5 from 35K ratings, while Beat Maker averages 4.5 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do Launchpad or Beat Maker have ads?

Beat Maker shows ads; Launchpad does not.

### Which is updated more often, Launchpad or Beat Maker?

Launchpad ships an update fortnightly, and Beat Maker monthly. Most recently, Launchpad was updated on November 3, 2026 and Beat Maker on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*