Comparison

AxeScales vs ARPJAM

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

Head to head
About

AxeScales

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Learn the Major and Minor Scales on Guitar. Select from Heptatonic (7 Note), Hexatonic (6 Note), Pentatonic (5 Note), Blues (6 Note), or Arpeggios (3 Notes), from any Root Note, for each Major and Minor Scale. (A total of 120 different combinations!) Shows the Scale Degree of each note in the Scale, with the Root Notes of each Scale highlighted. Each note will play when clicked. Fret numbers are shown below the Fretboard.

About

ARPJAM

This app generates evolving ambient music using two independent arpeggio engines. It features a generative drum machine, sound design tools, and external instrument synchronization. Save and recall your favorite musical setups.

Highlights
  • Dual arpeggio engines
  • Generative drum machine
  • Sound design controls
  • External instrument sync (Ableton Link, MIDI Clock)
  • Save and recall presets
  • Built-in timer
Features
Read full description

ARPJAM is an arpeggio synthesizer that generates ever-evolving ambient music. Layer two independent arpeggio engines, each with its own waveform, scale, and pattern, and let the app weave an endless soundscape that shifts and breathes on its own. ■ Two Arpeggio Engines ARP A and ARP B run simultaneously, each with its own mode, scale, range, waveform, filter, and envelope. Five pattern modes: Random & Chord, Repeat, Random Single, Skank, and Drone. ■ Generative Drums A probability-based drum machine. Tune the firing density, double-hit chance, and open/closed hi-hat ratio for kick, snare, and hihat to create rhythms that evolve naturally alongside the arpeggio. ■ Sound Design Four waveforms — sine, triangle, sawtooth, square. Adjust the low-pass filter, attack, and overdrive per engine. Add depth with ping-pong delay and reverb. ■ Sync with External Instruments [NEW in v1.4] Ableton Link support — wirelessly sync tempo and bar phase with Ableton Move, Live, Koala, and other Link-enabled instruments on the same Wi-Fi network. USB-C MIDI Clock reception is also supported. Sample-accurate timing alignment, with a fine-tune Offset slider for each setup. ■ Redesigned Settings Panel [v1.4] Settings are now organized into five colored sections — Oscillator, Filter, Envelope, Algorithm, and Effects. Each section collapses individually or in bulk, and the state persists between launches. Jump directly to any section via the side rail (iPad) or sticky bar (iPhone). Clear square ON/OFF switches and vivid theme colors — orange for ARP A, lime for ARP B, cyan for Drums — make the whole panel far easier to navigate. ■ Save & Recall Four start presets (Default + SAVE 1/2/3) let you recall your favorite setups with a single tap from the start screen. Presets can be exported and imported as .arpjam files to share with other ARPJAM users. ■ Built-in Timer Choose countdown or infinite mode. The timer fades out with a gentle resolving chord — perfect as a sleep timer or as a companion to meditation. • 8 scales including pentatonic modes • 12 keys (Just Intonation / Equal Temperament switchable) • Groove control for swing feel • BPM 30–200 • English / Japanese language support • Ableton Link / MIDI Clock sync

Screenshots

AxeScales3 screens
ARPJAM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ARPJAM at Free against AxeScales's $1.99. ARPJAM also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 3 days). AxeScales's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

ARPJAM is free to download; AxeScales costs $1.99 up front. ARPJAM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AxeScales asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AxeScales ships an update every 3 days, ARPJAM daily. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
AxeScales versus ARPJAM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAxeScalesARPJAM
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.215.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoseph SvantnerTakashi Tsunoda

In-app purchases

None

AxeScales

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ARPJAM

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is AxeScales free?
AxeScales costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ARPJAM free?
ARPJAM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AxeScales or ARPJAM have ads?
Neither AxeScales nor ARPJAM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AxeScales or ARPJAM?
AxeScales ships an update every 3 days, and ARPJAM daily. Most recently, AxeScales was updated on October 9, 2026 and ARPJAM on October 21, 2026.

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