Comparison

GranSample vs GrimoHex

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

Head to head
About

GranSample

This app offers a 16-pad sampler with a powerful granular engine for sculpting unique audio textures and sequencing patterns. It functions as a standalone application and an AUv3 plugin for popular DAWs. Unlock advanced features with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • 16-pad granular sampler
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Step sequencer
  • Modulation matrix
  • Sample chopping
  • Kit sharing
  • Per-pad effects
Features
Read full description

A 16-pad sampler with a granular engine underneath. Standalone app + AUv3 plugin for GarageBand / Logic / AUM / Drambo / Loopy Pro. Tap pads, sculpt textures, sequence patterns, chain songs. Same instrument either way. Free to try. GranSample Pro ($3.99, one-time) unlocks all 16 pads, song mode, the modulation matrix, sample chop, kit export, custom backgrounds, and WAV/M4A export. No subscription, no ads, no telemetry. PATTERN BANK & SONG MODE — NEW IN 1.4 Eight patterns per project (A–H). Switch live — the change waits for the bar end so the groove never stumbles. Then chain patterns into a song: tap letters to build, set repeats per section, loop it or play it once (song mode is Pro). Patterns, song, and BPM now save with every project. MODULATION MATRIX (PRO) LFO + ADSR envelope on 8 destinations per pad: grain position / size / pitch / density, volume, pan, semitone pitch, playback start. Drag the envelope chart, set depth per lane — all host-automatable in AUv3. SAMPLE CHOP (PRO) Slice any sample across the pads — equal grid, transient detection, or manual markers you drag to move and flick off to delete. Audition before you commit; the grid shows where every slice lands. KIT SHARING Export any kit as a single .gskit file — samples, settings, effects, patterns, all of it. Send it anywhere. Importing is free for everyone; exporting is Pro. PAD NAMES & COLORS Name your pads, pick from 8 colors. AUv3 PLUGIN Load "Digilog: GranSample" under AU Instruments in any AUv3 host. Same 4×4 grid, same Kits, same engine. 900 host-automatable parameters. Sequencer locks to host transport; MIDI through the host; everything persists in the host project. LIBRARY Ten factory Kits + your Projects in one place — load, tweak, save, share as .gskit. GRANULAR ENGINE Eight knobs per pad. Position scans the sample; grain size + density set the texture from pebbles to glass. Pitch + jitter, spray + stereo spread, four window shapes, an ADSR cloud envelope, Freeze for infinite sustain. 128 grains per voice, lock-free render. CHROMATIC MODE Any pad becomes the root; the grid plays as a chromatic keyboard. STEP SEQUENCER Per-pad patterns at 16/32/64 steps, per-step velocity, drag-to-paint. Eight patterns per project with quantized live switching. Standalone runs its own clock; AUv3 syncs to host transport. SAMPLE EDITOR Waveform view — drag the grain region, trim playback range, loop, reverse, normalize per pad. LINEAR or GRAN preview. Works inside the AUv3 plugin too. EFFECTS Per-pad AND master bus. Reverb, Delay, Distortion, EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Filter — up to 8 per chain, automatable from any DAW. Hand-tuned factory presets; save your own. EQ + Filter draw their curves live. IPAD Pads bigger than a hardware MPC; recorder, properties, and sequencer get a dedicated right column. MIDI USB, Bluetooth (built-in browser), or virtual MIDI. MIDI Learn on every knob standalone, per-pad channel routing. The AUv3 plugin routes MIDI in through the host and emits MIDI out for pad taps. RECORDING 60 seconds from the mic straight into a pad with a live waveform (standalone). Master bounces to WAV/M4A (Pro). 10 FACTORY KITS, 16 SAMPLES Late Night Room, Outer Space, Neon City, Midnight Dub, Tape Machine, Crystal Cave, and more — each with bespoke granular settings. FREE TIER Pads 1–4 with the full granular engine, effects, pattern bank, mixer, MIDI in/out — same in standalone and AUv3. Kit import (.gskit) is free too. GRANSAMPLE PRO — $3.99, one-time All 16 pads unlocked everywhere — standalone AND AUv3 plugin Song mode — chain patterns into an arrangement Modulation matrix — LFO + envelope on 8 destinations per pad Sample chop to pads Kit export (.gskit) Per-pad ADSR envelope editor Custom backgrounds — wallpapers or your own photo, with dim and pad-opacity control WAV / M4A export Made by one person who wanted a granular beat pad that fit on a phone — and now in their DAW too.

About

GrimoHex

Create beats quickly with a tactile, hardware-inspired sampler and step sequencer. Record, shape, and sequence sounds for fast music production on your iPhone. Ideal for producers and beat makers on the go.

Highlights
  • Hardware-style pad workflow
  • 128-step sequencing
  • Sample recording and playback
  • Sample editing tools
  • Real-time sound shaping
  • MIDI-focused sequencing
  • Pattern-based music creation
Features
Read full description

GrimoHex is a modern sampler and step sequencer built for fast, tactile beat creation on iPhone. Designed for producers, electronic musicians, and mobile beat makers, GrimoHex gives you a focused hardware-inspired workflow without the clutter of a full DAW. Record sounds, shape samples, build patterns, and perform ideas quickly from a compact pad-based interface. At its core, GrimoHex combines a hands-on sampler, drum machine, and step sequencer into one streamlined music production app. It is made for sketching beats, building loops, sequencing drums, triggering samples, and creating patterns wherever inspiration hits. Key features: • Hardware-style pad workflow for fast beat making • 128-step sequencing for detailed pattern creation • Sample recording and playback • Trim, zoom, and sample editing tools • Real-time sound shaping controls • MIDI-focused sequencing workflow • Pattern-based music creation • Clean interface designed for speed and focus • Built for mobile producers, beat makers, and electronic artists GrimoHex is ideal for making drum patterns, sample-based beats, loops, sketches, and performance-ready ideas on the go. Whether you are building rhythms from recorded samples, sequencing external gear, or creating patterns directly on your phone, GrimoHex keeps the process fast and musical. A focused sampler. A tactile sequencer. A compact groovebox for iPhone.

Screenshots

GranSample4 screens
GrimoHex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GrimoHex at 100% against GranSample's 0%. GrimoHex also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). GranSample's advantage is price (Free vs $12.99) and ratings volume (14 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, 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

GranSample is free to download; GrimoHex costs $12.99 up front. GranSample sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GrimoHex asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GrimoHex holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GranSample has 14 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of GranSample's written reviews are positive against 100% of GrimoHex's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GranSample ships an update every 4 days, GrimoHex every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on August 29, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
GranSample versus GrimoHex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGranSampleGrimoHex
PriceFree — better$12.99
Rating4.6 (14 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChih Han LinJames Draper

Customer experience

GranSample

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

GrimoHex

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GranSample

One-time1
  • GranSample Pro$3.99
None

GrimoHex

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GranSample free?
GranSample is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GrimoHex free?
GrimoHex costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GranSample or GrimoHex?
GrimoHex is rated higher. GranSample averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while GrimoHex averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do GranSample or GrimoHex have ads?
Neither GranSample nor GrimoHex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GranSample or GrimoHex?
GranSample ships an update every 4 days, and GrimoHex every 5 days. Most recently, GranSample was updated on August 29, 2026 and GrimoHex on September 21, 2026.

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