# BK Partner vs Patch Base

The clearest difference is rating: BK Partner at 4.0 against Patch Base's 3.4. BK Partner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 31) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 13.0). Patch Base's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (85 vs 6). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. BK Partner asks for nothing beyond the download.

BK Partner holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 85 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of BK Partner's written reviews are positive against 53% of Patch Base's.

BK Partner ships an update every 12 months, Patch Base every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BK Partner | Patch Base |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-partner/id591061937/reviews)** | [3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **85** |
| Positive reviews | **60.9% of reviews** | 52.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 28 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Roland Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/387333694) | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) |

## What reviewers say

### BK Partner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-partner/id591061937)

Control your Roland BK-series instrument's sounds and accompaniments from your iPad. It mirrors the instrument's front panel for quick access to functions, tones, and rhythms. Supports Core MIDI and Roland Wireless Connection.

**Highlights:** Browse and select instrument tones, Control musical accompaniments, Duplicate instrument's front control panel on iPad, Fast visual access to main functions, Support for Core MIDI, Support for Roland Wireless Connection

**In-app purchases:** none


### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BK Partner free?

BK Partner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Patch Base free?

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

### Which has better reviews, BK Partner or Patch Base?

BK Partner is rated higher. BK Partner averages 4.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Patch Base averages 3.4 from 85 ratings.

### Do BK Partner or Patch Base have ads?

Neither BK Partner nor Patch Base shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BK Partner or Patch Base?

BK Partner ships an update every 12 months, and Patch Base every 3 weeks. Most recently, BK Partner was updated on October 1, 2026 and Patch Base on October 2, 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.*