BeatRepeat vs Rhythm Ace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BeatRepeat
This app is a real-time drum repeat instrument and MIDI effect designed for live performance. It allows users to tap pads to trigger repeating drum hits synced to tempo, and swipe to create evolving rhythms with layered patterns. It offers extensive control over rhythmic elements and generative patterns.
- 8 velocity-sensitive pads
- Repeat presets for instant rhythms
- Per-pad control over rhythm parameters
- Euclidean rhythm masks
- Evolve modifier for parameter shifts
- Fill patterns for multi-pad sequences
- MIDI input and output
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Beat Repeat is a real-time drum repeat instrument and MIDI effect built for live performance. Tap a pad to trigger repeating drum hits synced to your tempo. Swipe to latch patterns, stack layers, and build evolving rhythms. Core Features - 8 velocity-sensitive pads - Repeat presets: instant rhythmic patterns (Straight 8th, Triplet, Flam, Ghost Roll, and more) - Per-pad control over division, gate, offset, ratchet, trigger conditions, and probability - Euclidean rhythm masks for generative patterns - Evolve modifier: parameters shift over time using mathematical shapes (sine, ramp, random walk) - Fill patterns: multi-pad sequences triggered from a single pad - Ghost notes with adjustable intensity and offset - Accent patterns for dynamic variation Works Everywhere - Standalone app with internal drum sounds - AUv3 plugin for GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other hosts - VST3/AU for desktop DAWs - Full MIDI input and output - Ableton Link support for wireless sync - Drift quantization for natural-feeling timing
Rhythm Ace
This app is a faithful simulator of a vintage 1967 drum machine, recreating its authentic analog sounds and rhythm presets. It allows for real-time synthesis of percussion, pattern layering, and individual voice muting for unique groove creation.
- Faithful vintage drum machine simulation
- Real-time synthesized analog sounds
- 16 classic rhythm presets
- Authentic pattern combining
- Individual voice cancel controls
- Precision tempo control
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Rhythm Ace is a faithful simulator of the Ace Tone FR-1 — one of the earliest consumer drum machines, built in Japan in 1967 and the ancestor of the legendary Roland rhythm machines. Every sound is synthesized in real time using classic transistor-style audio circuits — no samples, no loops. Just pure, characterful analog-era percussion the way it was meant to sound. Eight synthesized voices Bass Drum · Snare · Low Conga · High Conga · Cymbal · Claves · Cowbell · Maracas 16 classic rhythm presets Waltz, Bossa Nova, Samba, Rock, Swing, Foxtrot, and more — all faithfully recreated from the original FR-1 diode matrix. Authentic pattern combining Select multiple rhythm buttons to layer patterns exactly like the original hardware — the diode matrix OR-combines their steps, letting you build complex grooves from simple presets. Voice cancel controls Mute individual instruments on the fly with the dedicated cancel buttons, just like the original panel. Precision tempo control Large rotary knob for natural, tactile BPM adjustment. Sample-accurate scheduling Built on a lookahead audio clock for tight, rock-solid timing — no drift, no jitter. Whether you're a vintage gear enthusiast, a music producer hunting for retro textures, or just curious what the dawn of the drum machine sounded like, Rhythm Ace brings a slice of music history to your iPhone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: BeatRepeat at 100% against Rhythm Ace's 0%. BeatRepeat also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.0) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BeatRepeat holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BeatRepeat has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of BeatRepeat's written reviews are positive against 0% of Rhythm Ace's.
BeatRepeat ships an update every 3 days, Rhythm Ace every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | BeatRepeat | Rhythm Ace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mathias Kirkerød | Tero Aarnio |
Customer experience
BeatRepeat
Rhythm Ace
In-app purchases
BeatRepeat
No in-app purchases
Rhythm Ace
No in-app purchases









