# BK vs Numa Player

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Numa Player at 85% against BK's 33%. Numa Player also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months). BK's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 12.0). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Numa Player sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. BK asks for nothing beyond the download.

Numa Player holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Numa Player has 1.1K 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 85% of Numa Player's.

BK ships an update every 9 months, Numa Player monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BK | Numa Player |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bk-9-performance-editor/id668979731/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numa-player/id1601231132/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **85.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 22 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Roland Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/387333694) | [FATAR SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1601231134) |

## 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


### Numa Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numa-player/id1601231132)

This virtual instrument offers a multitimbral sound engine optimized for multi-core CPUs, providing low latency and high polyphony. It allows for flexible zone management, extensive sound libraries, and integrated effects for live performances and studio use.

**Highlights:** Multitimbral Instrument Player, Cross-Platform (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS), Standalone or Plugin mode, Multi-core CPU optimization, Infinite Zone management, Extensive sound library, 9 Insert Effects and 3 Master Effects

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Farfisa Compact | $0.99 | one-time |
| VINTAGE PIANOS | $17.99 | one-time |
| GRAN CODA | $24.99 | one-time |
| STAGE D | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great sounds
- 👍 Excellent sound quality
- 👍 Stable and reliable
- 👍 Fantastic free app
- 👍 Impressive for a free app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Polyphony issues
- 🐛 Occasional crashes
- 🐛 Notes dropping out
- 🐛 Sound glitching
- 🐛 Sustain pedal issues

**Reported bugs**

- Crashing issues in GarageBand
- Incompatibility with some MIDI controllers
- Sustain pedal causing noise

**Requested features**

- More types of resonance (aliquot, body, bridge/soundboard)
- New piano models (Bosendorfer, Yamaha CFX)
- More instruments (brass, saxes)
- Ability to save custom patches
- Ability to resize on-screen keyboard


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BK free?

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

### Is Numa Player free?

Numa Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, BK or Numa Player?

Numa Player is rated higher. BK averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Numa Player averages 4.7 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do BK or Numa Player have ads?

Neither BK nor Numa Player shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BK or Numa Player?

BK ships an update every 9 months, and Numa Player monthly. Most recently, BK was updated on October 8, 2026 and Numa Player on October 15, 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.*