Comparison

SquareBeat vs Kalimba Keys

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

Head to head
About

SquareBeat

Create music by building patterns with samples and AUv3 plugins. Arrange these patterns into songs, import your own sounds, and mix tracks. Features a text-based tracker GUI for rapid development, with all core functionality free except for WAV file export.

Highlights
  • Sequence and manipulate audio samples
  • Mix tracks
  • Use AUv3 audio unit instruments
  • Use AUv3 effects on effect busses
  • Connect with other apps via Audiobus
  • Export and share songs
Read full description

SquareBeat is a music sequencer. Build patterns out of samples and AUv3 plugins, and build songs out of patterns. Import your own samples to make new sounds. Develop songs rapidly with the text based tracker GUI. All functionality is free except wav file export. • Sequence and manipulate audio samples. • Mix tracks. • Use AUv3 audio unit instruments. • Use AUv3 effects on effect busses. • Connect with other apps with Audiobus. • Export and share your song.

About

Kalimba Keys

This app offers a realistic and expressive Kalimba instrument experience with studio-quality sound. It features detailed sampling, a variety of built-in effects, and cross-platform preset management for seamless creativity.

Highlights
  • Individually-sampled Kalimba notes
  • Multiple Kalimba sound variations
  • Modulation and Space & Time FX
  • Adjustable effects order
  • 35 included presets
  • Cross-platform preset sharing
  • Standalone app and AUv3 compatibility
Features
Read full description

Kalimba Keys is your gateway to expressive Kalimba sounds. Experience the richness of Kalimba Keys, the go-to Kalimba instrument app that brings studio-quality sound to your fingertips. Immerse yourself in authenticity with round robin and per-key sampling, allowing for genuine and nuanced playback. Elevate your compositions with essential effects, including tape-style delay, powerful stereo reverb, and versatile modulation FX (Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo, Auto Pan). Unlock the simplicity of creativity as you save and load configurations with cross-platform presets, ensuring seamless compatibility across sessions. Enjoy the freedom of full automation control, sculpting your ideal sound effortlessly. AUv3 compatible for use with your favorite host apps like Cubasis, GarageBand, AUM, & more! Explore the world of expressive Kalimba Keys – where simplicity meets precision. Features - Individually-sampled Kalimba notes - 4X Kalimba Sounds (Original, Classic, Large, & Small) - Modulation Multi-FX: Multiple FX section with 6 modes including Chorus, Flanger, Phase, Vibrato, Tremolo, Auto Pan - Space & Time FX: Further customize your sounds with natural reverb and tape-style delay effects - Effects Pre/Post Mode: Space & Time and Modulation effects orders can be swapped. - 35 Presets include for instant playability and inspiration - Cross-platform support: presets can be shared between iOS and macOS & Windows - Preset Manager included for saving, editing, and loading different presets - Standalone app and AUv3 included

Screenshots

SquareBeat4 screens
Kalimba Keys3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SquareBeat at Free against Kalimba Keys's $4.99. SquareBeat also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 months). Kalimba Keys's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On rating, ratings volume, ads 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

SquareBeat is free to download; Kalimba Keys costs $4.99 up front. SquareBeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Kalimba Keys asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for SquareBeat against 5.0 for Kalimba Keys. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of SquareBeat's written reviews are positive against 100% of Kalimba Keys's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SquareBeat ships an update every 3 days, Kalimba Keys every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SquareBeat versus Kalimba Keys: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSquareBeatKalimba Keys
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.9 (8 ratings)5.0 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings814 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size114 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJames NavarroOSC Audio

Customer experience

SquareBeat

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Kalimba Keys

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SquareBeat

One-time1
  • SquareBeat Full Version$12.99
None

Kalimba Keys

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SquareBeat free?
SquareBeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Kalimba Keys free?
Kalimba Keys costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SquareBeat or Kalimba Keys?
Kalimba Keys is rated higher. SquareBeat averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Kalimba Keys averages 5.0 from 14 ratings.
Do SquareBeat or Kalimba Keys have ads?
Neither SquareBeat nor Kalimba Keys shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SquareBeat or Kalimba Keys?
SquareBeat ships an update every 3 days, and Kalimba Keys every 6 months. Most recently, SquareBeat was updated on September 5, 2026 and Kalimba Keys on September 7, 2026.

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