Thesys vs X808
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Thesys
This app is a powerful and intuitive MIDI step sequencer for creating complex musical patterns. It offers extensive control over MIDI devices, enabling organic bass lines, leads, and pads for studio or live performance. Advanced features allow for real-time pattern manipulation directly from a MIDI keyboard.
- MIDI Step Sequencer
- Pattern Creation
- Live Performance Options
- Real-time Pattern Manipulation
- Integrated Synth
- Action Section (Gatetime, Looper, Slowdown)
- Ableton Link Support
Read full descriptionHide full description
Thesys is an extremely powerful and intuitive MIDI Step Sequencer app, giving you control over just about all aspects of your favorite MIDI devices. Use Thesys to create varied and organic bass lines, screaming leads, pulsating chords, and organic pad sounds in the studio or on stage. For live musicians, Thesys provides an extremely versatile palette of performance options which can be triggered right from your MIDI keyboard: you can transpose, manipulate, twist up, mutate, and mangle your patterns without even getting near your iPad. No other MIDI sequencer plugin offers you the ease and power of Thesys. It is 100% MIDI compliant and therefore provides the ultimate MIDI sequencing solution. iPad Edition Features: • Integrated Synth • Action Section (Gatetime, Looper, Slowdown...) • Pattern Sequencer • Standalone & Audio Unit v3 • Ableton Link Support • MIDI file Export • MIDI Support (Virtual, Netzwerk, Extern, Bluetooth), MIDI Learn & Host Automation • MIDI Clock Sync (Master & Slave) • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share • Zoom
X808
Read full descriptionHide full description
X808 is designed for the iDance RM-808 iPad controller. Connect your RM-808 in Bluetooth to your iPad There is no cable, Totally Wireless from X808 and RM-808 RM-808 is a Rhythm machine controller, with Mixer, Looper, Recorder, with 13 potentiometers and 63 buttons, which are all working with X808 in real time, without latency. Its realistic and clear interface recalls the analog machine from the past, for all the vintage fanatics. You can play with the rhythm presets included or you can create your own patterns, songs, and create instant fly’s sessions which can be recalled at any time. The RM-808 controls 4 Music modules: - 16 steps sequencer with 11 instruments - Bass synthesizer and sequencer - Versatile Mixer with all the controls you need to shape your sound - Double DSP processor, as a Twin KAOSS, effects on the Bass Line, and effect on the drums. The X808 app embeds all the famous and resampled sound of the TR808, but also more than 10 of the most famous rhythm machine. We added as well 4x LOOPER access to boost your live performances. Features: - Interface like the real drum machine from the 80's - 16 steps sequencer with 11 instruments - Save the pattern you've created and play your songs - 3 DRUMS KIT; TR808, TR808 Perc, TR606 (more available on in-app) - 1 BASS line with BASS SYTH mode (more available on in-app) - 24 Patterns per Session – infinity Session available - Song Mode with Easy Drag and Drop Patterns at the position you want - Session mode for Patterns and Songs memory - Copy Write and Delete mode for Session - Copy Pattern mode - A versatile Mixer with all the controls you need to shape your sound - Mixer Page with Drumkit pieces parameters control (tuning, decay, tone level and mute) - Tap tempo and SWING mode - A double DSP processor, as a Twin KAOSS, effects on the Bass Line, and effect on the drums. - 3 effects available (more on in-app) for the DRUMS and for the BASS: Disco, Delay, Reverb (more available on in-app) - Dry/Wet for both Effects Processor. Check the videos on http: https://youtu.be/U64P9JLxyjw Support: info@idanceintl.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Thesys at every 2 months against X808's every 5 months. X808's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.6). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Thesys sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and X808 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Thesys ships an update every 2 months, X808 every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Thesys | X808 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (86 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 59.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 86 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 13.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sugar Bytes GmbH | iDance |
In-app purchases
Thesys
- Thesys Full Version$19.99
X808
- X808 Full Version$6.99








