# Gig Drummer vs AKI Drum Machine

The clearest difference is price: Gig Drummer at Free against AKI Drum Machine's $39.99. Gig Drummer also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). AKI Drum Machine's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (5.0 vs 4.5). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Gig Drummer is free to download; AKI Drum Machine costs $39.99 up front. Gig Drummer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. AKI Drum Machine asks for nothing beyond the download.

AKI Drum Machine holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gig Drummer has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Gig Drummer ships an update monthly, AKI Drum Machine every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gig Drummer | AKI Drum Machine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $39.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gig-drummer-drum-pad-machine/id6745336024/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aki-drum-machine/id6762681788/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **15** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 307 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sonic Market](https://appshunter.io/developer/1811451957) | [ALEKS ENTERPRISES LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1894960209) |

## What reviewers say

### Gig Drummer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gig-drummer-drum-pad-machine/id6745336024)

This app provides a virtual drum machine for live performance, rehearsal, and recording. It offers over 30 rhythms across various genres, dynamic performance tools, and custom loop import. Organize your sets and control it with MIDI for a professional live drumming experience.

**Highlights:** 30+ versatile rhythms, Dynamic performance tools, AUv3 plugin support, Custom loop import, Set lists for gigs, MIDI learn support, Record and share grooves

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gig Drummer Factory Offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gig Drummer Factory Rhythms | $3.99 | one-time |
| Gig Drummer Factory Rhythms | $4.99 | one-time |


### AKI Drum Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aki-drum-machine/id6762681788)

This app provides professional-grade, hands-on drum backing for musicians, songwriters, and performers. It allows importing MIDI drum styles, triggering song sections live, and customizing drum sounds. Enjoy real-time tempo control and flexible MIDI connectivity for a portable rhythm solution.

**Highlights:** Playable beat sections (Intros, Variations, Fills, Endings), Import MIDI drum styles from Yamaha/Korg, Assign custom drum sounds (SF2 import), Real-time tempo control with multi-tempo support, MIDI input/output and controller support, Background audio playback, Visual metronome and multi-meter support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gig Drummer free?

Gig Drummer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is AKI Drum Machine free?

AKI Drum Machine costs $39.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Gig Drummer or AKI Drum Machine?

AKI Drum Machine is rated higher. Gig Drummer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while AKI Drum Machine averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Gig Drummer or AKI Drum Machine have ads?

Neither Gig Drummer nor AKI Drum Machine shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Gig Drummer or AKI Drum Machine?

Gig Drummer ships an update monthly, and AKI Drum Machine every 3 months. Most recently, Gig Drummer was updated on October 30, 2026 and AKI Drum Machine on November 5, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*