# Marimba vs ab Astrometry X

The clearest difference is price: Marimba at $2.99 against ab Astrometry X's $12.99. ab Astrometry X's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Marimba costs $2.99 and ab Astrometry X $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Marimba against 5.0 for ab Astrometry X. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively.

Marimba ships an update every 10 months, ab Astrometry X every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Marimba | ab Astrometry X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $12.99 |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marimba/id6475635974/reviews) | [5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ab-astrometry-x/id6477390551/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 7 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 92 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mellowmuse Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/425710925) | [Alejandro Cabrera Zuniga](https://appshunter.io/developer/1660382836) |

## What reviewers say

### Marimba

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marimba/id6475635974)

This app offers a high-quality sampled marimba instrument for iOS devices. It functions as a standalone application or an AUv3 plugin, featuring adjustable keyboard settings and built-in effects like reverb and delay. It supports external MIDI input for enhanced musical expression.

**Highlights:** Standalone app and AUv3 plugin, High-quality sample-based marimba, Configurable keyboard, Reverb and delay effects, MIDI input support, Mac support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ab Astrometry X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ab-astrometry-x/id6477390551)

This advanced audio effect offers dynamic multitap delay with randomized tap positioning around the listener. Control tap viscosity, time, and loudness intuitively via an XY pad. Create custom delay lines by syncing to your DAW or using free time, in serial or parallel modes.

**Highlights:** Random tap positioning, Viscosity, Time, and Loudness control, Intuitive XY Pad design, DAW sync or free time, Serial or parallel mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Marimba free?

Marimba costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ab Astrometry X free?

ab Astrometry X costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Marimba or ab Astrometry X?

Marimba and ab Astrometry X are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 6 ratings respectively.

### Do Marimba or ab Astrometry X have ads?

Neither Marimba nor ab Astrometry X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Marimba or ab Astrometry X?

Marimba ships an update every 10 months, and ab Astrometry X every 7 months. Most recently, Marimba was updated on November 4, 2026 and ab Astrometry X on November 8, 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.*