Handpan Rhythms vs DrumFlow
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Handpan Rhythms
Create and hear your own Handpan rhythms with simple notation. Practice with a metronome and explore example rhythms. Play a virtual Handpan directly within the app.
- Compose custom Handpan rhythms
- Hear rhythms with virtual Handpan
- Practice with clap metronome
- Explore example rhythms
- Play virtual Handpan
- Custom scale support (premium)
- Rhythm save/export/import (premium)
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Using this app you can write your own Handpan rhythm with simple notations and hear how it sounds like with a virtual Handpan! The app also includes a set of popular rhythms as examples. You can also play the rhythm along with the clap sound as a metronome for practicing the tempo. The writing system is based on the names of the Handpan strokes with a precise timing. The user sets the number of beats in the rhythm. Each beat is shown with a box. The time duration of each beat is specified by BPM. This time duration is divided equally between all the notes written in the beat box. Also, you can play a virtual Handpan in the app, if you have no access to a real one. The premium version enables the custom scale, rhythm save, export, and import features. It also removes all ads from the app. The in-app purchase for accessing the premium version is a single-time payment which never expires.
DrumFlow
This app serves as a practice companion for handpan and steel tongue drum players. It allows users to create virtual versions of their instruments, generate and learn new musical patterns, and build a personal library of saved rhythms. It also includes a virtual drum simulator for practice anywhere.
- Virtual instrument matching
- Customizable pattern generation
- Visual note display
- Pattern library with iCloud sync
- Virtual drum simulator
- Built-in metronome
- Multiple popular scales
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Your practice companion for handpan and steel tongue drum. Discover patterns, build your library, and play along on your real instrument—or practice anywhere with built-in virtual drums. MATCH YOUR REAL DRUM • Create a virtual version of your physical instrument • Set your exact scale and custom tunings • Add a photo of your drum for perfect visual match • Practice patterns that work with your actual instrument LEARN NEW PATTERNS • Generate musical patterns instantly • Visual display works like handpan tabs—see exactly which notes to play • Adjust complexity, accents, and breaks • Find rhythms that inspire you • Play along on your physical drum BUILD YOUR LIBRARY • Save patterns you want to revisit • Organize with tags and collections • iCloud sync across all your devices • Your collection grows with your journey PLAY ANYTIME • Virtual handpan and tongue drum simulator with realistic sounds • Responsive touch controls • Multiple scales and layouts • Practice anywhere, even without your physical instrument STAY IN RHYTHM • Built-in metronome with adjustable tempo • Loop patterns for focused practice • Visual display shows the current beat • Perfect for meditation or creative sessions Whether you own a handpan, tongue drum, or want to explore these beautiful instruments—DrumFlow helps you play more, learn faster, and enjoy every session. Go with the flow. --- PATTERN GENERATOR THAT MAKES SENSE DrumFlow doesn't generate random noise. The pattern generator creates musical phrases using motif-based composition—short melodic ideas that repeat and vary naturally. The result: patterns that actually sound good and are satisfying to play. Customize your patterns with: • Length: 4, 8, 16, or 32 beats • Complexity: control how many notes per bar • Breaks: add breathing room with rests • Accents: emphasize certain beats for groove Every generated pattern is unique, but always musical. SCALES FOR EVERY INSTRUMENT DrumFlow includes the most popular handpan and tongue drum scales: • Kurd (incl. D Minor) – the most common handpan scale • Celtic / Amara – bright and uplifting • Integral – versatile and expressive • Hijaz – Middle Eastern flavor • Pentatonic Major & Minor – universally pleasing • And many more Set your drum's root note and scale, or create fully custom tunings to match your exact instrument. MADE FOR REAL PLAYERS Whether you're warming up before a session, learning a new rhythm, or exploring ideas for composition—DrumFlow fits naturally into your practice routine. • Warm up: Loop a simple pattern while you find your flow • Learn: Slow down the tempo to master tricky rhythms • Compose: Save patterns as starting points for your own creations • Relax: Let patterns play while you meditate or unwind EXPLORE WITHOUT OWNING Don't have a handpan yet? Use DrumFlow as your virtual handpan to explore different scales and sounds before investing in an instrument. Discover what resonates with you—then make an informed choice when you're ready to buy. PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS Never played a handpan or tongue drum before? No problem. DrumFlow requires zero musical experience. The intuitive pad layout makes sense immediately—just tap and listen. Start with simple patterns and gradually explore more complex rhythms as you grow. MINDFULNESS & RELAXATION The meditative tones of handpan and tongue drums are renowned for relaxation and stress relief. Use DrumFlow for: • Yoga and stretching sessions • Meditation and breathwork • Sound healing practice • Unwinding after a long day Let the patterns guide you into a calm, focused state. WORKS OFFLINE Your patterns and drums are stored locally on your device. Practice anywhere—no internet connection required. When you're back online, iCloud keeps everything in sync across your iPhone and iPad. DESIGNED WITH CARE DrumFlow is built by a musician, for musicians. Clean interface. No clutter. No distractions. Just you and your drum.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Handpan Rhythms at 4.5 against DrumFlow's 3.5. Handpan Rhythms also leads on ratings volume (6 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.5). DrumFlow's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Handpan Rhythms sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DrumFlow sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Handpan Rhythms holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 2 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Handpan Rhythms's written reviews are positive against 100% of DrumFlow's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Handpan Rhythms ships an update every 4 months, DrumFlow every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 27, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Handpan Rhythms | DrumFlow |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (6 ratings) — better | 3.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bita Sobhani | Nils Blum-Oeste |
Customer experience
Handpan Rhythms
DrumFlow
In-app purchases
Handpan Rhythms
- Premium$14.99
DrumFlow
- DrumFlow Plus$8.99
Questions
Is Handpan Rhythms free?
Is DrumFlow free?
Which has better reviews, Handpan Rhythms or DrumFlow?
Do Handpan Rhythms or DrumFlow have ads?
Which is updated more often, Handpan Rhythms or DrumFlow?
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