# GridStep vs ARC

The clearest difference is price: ARC at Free against GridStep's $3.99. GridStep's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

ARC is free to download; GridStep costs $3.99 up front. ARC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. GridStep asks for nothing beyond the download.

GridStep holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively.

GridStep ships an update every 2 weeks, ARC weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GridStep | ARC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258/reviews)** | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arc-24-multitrack-groovebox/id6773901604/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 3 |
| Positive reviews | — | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 5 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joe Topjian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112) | [Daelan Wood](https://appshunter.io/developer/1781308426) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### ARC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arc-24-multitrack-groovebox/id6773901604)

Create music with a versatile groovebox featuring eight tracks for synths, samplers, and drums. Its intuitive interface allows for real-time performance and easy arrangement into songs, all while staying in key and scale.

**Highlights:** Eight dynamic tracks (synth, sampler, drums), Key and scale locked note/chord pads, 16-pad sampler with import/record, Deep synth editing and 25 arpeggiator patterns, Full mixer with EQ and individual track effects, Song mode for arrangement and live performance, MIDI input and iCloud sync

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7-Day Trial | Free | one-time |
| ARC-24 Full Version | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GridStep free?

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

### Is ARC free?

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

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

GridStep is rated higher. GridStep averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while ARC averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do GridStep or ARC have ads?

Neither GridStep nor ARC shows ads.

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

GridStep ships an update every 2 weeks, and ARC weekly. Most recently, GridStep was updated on October 11, 2026 and ARC on October 22, 2026.

---

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