Comparison

Drones vs simple loop machine

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Drones

Craft personalized audio environments with custom noise generation and a library of ambient sounds. Mix up to four sources, set a sleep timer, and save your unique soundscapes. Enjoy a one-time purchase for full access to all features and future updates.

Highlights
  • Custom noise generation (pink, white, brown)
  • Adjustable frequency filters
  • Mix up to 4 audio sources
  • 50+ catalog sounds
  • Sleep timer with fade-out
  • Save and replay custom mixes
  • Generative album art
Features
Read full description

Drones is a library of 50+ sounds plus tools to mix and create your own noise or endless soundscapes. CREATE CUSTOM NOISE Generate pink, white, brown, and other noise colors with adjustable frequency filters. Fine-tune the exact sound that works for you. MIX YOUR SOUNDSCAPES Combine up to 4 sources — your custom noises plus our catalog — in a simple mixer. Slow loops down and re-pitch them until a mix is unmistakably yours. 50+ CATALOG SOUNDS, ONE ARTIST A library of field recordings, ambient drones, and environmental audio — all recorded and produced by a single ambient artist. IMPORT YOUR SOUNDS Import sounds from your files. Set loop start and end positions along with fades. Use your sounds alongside library sounds ADD EFFECTS TO YOUR MIXES Reverb, Echo, Tape Wobble, Pitch Shift, Drift and more. SLEEP TIMER Gradually fade out your mix and drift off without worrying about stopping playback. SAVE & REPLAY Save your noises and mixes to a personal library, each with generative pixel album art. Some use Drones for sleep. Some for live performance or music production. Others for focus while working or studying. Some just love the sounds. However you use it, Drones is yours to explore. Drones is a pay-once ambient noise mixer for people who want to craft their sound, not rent it. No subscriptions — ever. After 7 day trial, free users still have access to 15 unique loops.

About

simple loop machine

Features
Read full description

simple loop machine is a straightforward loop-style music app: record up to eight samples from the microphone, assign them to pads, then play, loop, reverse, trim, and scratch. No DAW-style complexity—great for ideas, practice, and live sketches. Features • 8-pad recording - Free mode: hold an empty pad to record; release to stop - Fixed mode: set BPM and bars, tap an empty pad to record a fixed length • Play/stop, loop, reverse playback • Waveform view with trim handles • Zoom (full waveform / selection range) • Volume and pitch per pad • Scratch strip (drag left and right) • Mix recording: capture pad playback into one mix; play, export, or delete • Settings: default record mode, default BPM/bars for fixed mode, delete all pads • In-app languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean Privacy & data • Samples and mixes are stored only on your device • No account required • Microphone is used only for recording to pads • Export uses the system share sheet (Files, AirDrop, etc.) Notes • Use caution with headphones or speakers—levels can be loud • Microphone permission is required on first launch • A real device is recommended for recording (simulator has no mic) Support: contact us via the Support URL on the store listing.

Screenshots

Drones4 screens
simple loop machine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: simple loop machine at none against Drones's 1. simple loop machine also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days). Drones's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Drones sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. simple loop machine asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drones ships an update every 10 days, simple loop machine every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Drones versus simple loop machine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDronessimple loop machine
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWilliam ShouldisGoateeAllstars

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Drones

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$3.99
None

simple loop machine

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Drones free?
Drones is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is simple loop machine free?
simple loop machine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Drones or simple loop machine have ads?
simple loop machine shows ads; Drones does not.
Which is updated more often, Drones or simple loop machine?
Drones ships an update every 10 days, and simple loop machine every 4 days. Most recently, Drones was updated on October 6, 2026 and simple loop machine on October 7, 2026.

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