# BK vs DP8

The clearest difference is rating: DP8 at 4.4 against BK's 3.7. DP8 also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (78 vs 3). BK's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

DP8 holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DP8 has 78 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of BK's written reviews are positive against 50% of DP8's.

BK ships an update every 9 months, DP8 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BK | DP8 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-9-performance-editor/id668979731/reviews) | **[4.4 (78 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dp8/id1276745191/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **78** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 22 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Roland Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/387333694) | [MingChun Chien](https://appshunter.io/developer/1181368598) |

## What reviewers say

### BK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-9-performance-editor/id668979731)

Control and edit the real-time performance parameters of your Roland BK-9 Backing Keyboard directly from your iPad. Enhance your playing, practicing, and composing experience with quick access to tone editing, part mixing, and effects.

**Highlights:** Real-time parameter editing, Tone editing, Part mixing control, Effects adjustment, iPad touchscreen interface, Enhanced performance tool

**In-app purchases:** none


### DP8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dp8/id1276745191)

Experience a full drum kit with an intuitive layout. Enjoy dynamic performance and high-quality sounds at your fingertips. Practice along with songs using real-time speed adjustment and a simple mixer.

**Highlights:** Full drum kit layout, Natural dynamic performance, High-quality sound, Multi-genre drum sounds, Integrated song playback, Real-time song speed adjust

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BK free?

BK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DP8 free?

DP8 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BK or DP8?

DP8 is rated higher. BK averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while DP8 averages 4.4 from 78 ratings.

### Do BK or DP8 have ads?

DP8 shows ads; BK does not.

### Which is updated more often, BK or DP8?

BK ships an update every 9 months, and DP8 every 2 months. Most recently, BK was updated on October 8, 2026 and DP8 on October 1, 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.*