# LOOPBAR vs GridStep

The clearest difference is price: LOOPBAR at $0.99 against GridStep's $3.99. GridStep's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

LOOPBAR costs $0.99 and GridStep $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for LOOPBAR against 5.0 for GridStep. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

LOOPBAR ships an update every 3 weeks, GridStep every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LOOPBAR | GridStep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loopbar/id6751549888/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 1 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **17.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Helge Ohl](https://appshunter.io/developer/833826603) | [Joe Topjian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112) |

## What reviewers say

### LOOPBAR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loopbar/id6751549888)

Record and layer multiple audio tracks in real time to build musical ideas. This tool allows for precise loop point setting and adjustment during playback, perfect for capturing inspiration on the go.

**Highlights:** Create multiple independent audio tracks, Record via built-in microphone, Set individual loop points with drag & drop, Real-time playback with visual indicator, Adjust loop points during playback, Simple track management

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### GridStep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258)

A professional MIDI step sequencer offering a focused grid-based workflow for clear, controlled, and predictable music creation. It functions as a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin, ideal for both live performance and composition.

**Highlights:** Grid-based MIDI step sequencing, Explicit edit modes for notes, velocity, slides, and mutes, Trigger-based step advance, Controlled pattern generation, AUv3 MIDI effect plugin, Standalone app functionality

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LOOPBAR free?

LOOPBAR costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is GridStep free?

GridStep costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LOOPBAR or GridStep?

LOOPBAR and GridStep are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do LOOPBAR or GridStep have ads?

Neither LOOPBAR nor GridStep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LOOPBAR or GridStep?

LOOPBAR ships an update every 3 weeks, and GridStep every 2 weeks. Most recently, LOOPBAR was updated on October 6, 2026 and GridStep on October 11, 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.*