# SquareBeat vs Kalimba Keys

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SquareBeat | Kalimba Keys |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squarebeat/id6464103210/reviews) | **[5.0 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kalimba-keys/id6474580189/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **14** |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 114 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [James Navarro](https://appshunter.io/developer/514153445) | [OSC Audio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693533681) |

## What reviewers say

### SquareBeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squarebeat/id6464103210)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SquareBeat Full Version | $12.99 | one-time |


### Kalimba Keys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kalimba-keys/id6474580189)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


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