Comparison

CACHE vs LUMA

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

Head to head
About

CACHE

This app provides a dedicated sample browser for iOS music producers. It allows users to quickly browse, preview, and drag audio files directly into compatible DAWs and AUv3 hosts, streamlining music creation workflows.

Highlights
  • Browse sample folders and subfolders
  • Preview one-shots and loops
  • Detect sample key
  • Drag samples into compatible DAWs
  • Access local and cloud storage
  • Bookmark folders without copying samples
Features
Read full description

CACHE is a fast and simple sample browser for iPhone, iPad, and AUv3 hosts. It lets you open your own sample folders, browse collections instantly, preview audio files, detect sample key, and drag sounds straight into compatible apps and hosts. Built for producers who work across iOS and iPadOS, CACHE solves a problem that has been strangely overlooked for years: some DAWs and AUv3 hosts still don’t include a proper sample browser. Until now, that often meant digging through Files, switching between apps, and dragging samples in from outside your music workflow. CACHE puts that missing browser exactly where you need it. Use CACHE to: Browse your own sample folders and subfolders Preview one-shots and loops quickly Detect likely sample key for one-shots Drag samples directly into compatible DAWs, hosts, and apps Access collections from local storage, cloud locations, or external drives CACHE does not include any samples and does not make sound on its own beyond sample preview. You must supply your own sample folders. CACHE also does not copy or store your samples internally. It simply bookmarks and browses the folders you choose, so it won’t take up extra storage space with duplicate sample libraries. That makes it especially useful if your sounds live on external storage or outside the app itself.

About

LUMA

This app is a performance chord synthesizer designed for musicians to play and create music instantly. It offers real-time control, looping, and MIDI connectivity for seamless integration with existing setups.

Highlights
  • Performance pad for real-time control
  • ARP with tempo control
  • Latch mode for hands-free chords
  • REC mode with loop and file capture
  • MIDI and Bluetooth controller support
  • Export recordings directly
Features
Read full description

LUMA is a chord synth for iPhone. Pick a key, tap one of seven pads, and play a whole chord that fits. No wrong notes, no theory needed: just progressions under your fingers. PLAY • Seven chord pads built from your key, so every chord belongs • Slide between pads to move from chord to chord • Chord modes: diatonic, open, jazz and simple voicings • Synth voices including saw, pad, drone and organ SHAPE • Joypad: one hand on filter, pitch bend and rhythmic pulse • Arpeggiator with rates, patterns and octave range • Drum loops and a metronome to play along with RECORD AND CONNECT • REC captures takes, both the audio and the chords • Export takes as audio or MIDI files to finish in your DAW • MIDI OUT over USB and Wi-Fi to hardware synths and DAWs • Play from a Bluetooth game controller Made for producers, audio engineers and hobbyists who'd rather play chords than look them up.

Screenshots

CACHE2 screens
LUMA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CACHE at $2.99 against LUMA's $9.99. CACHE also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

CACHE costs $2.99 and LUMA $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CACHE ships an update every 4 days, LUMA every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CACHE versus LUMA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCACHELUMA
Price$2.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.9 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS1717.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLEWIS GARETH K LE VALChristopher Morrison

Customer experience

CACHE

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

LUMA

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

CACHE

No in-app purchases

None

LUMA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CACHE free?
CACHE costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is LUMA free?
LUMA costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do CACHE or LUMA have ads?
Neither CACHE nor LUMA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CACHE or LUMA?
CACHE ships an update every 4 days, and LUMA every 3 weeks. Most recently, CACHE was updated on October 24, 2026 and LUMA on October 29, 2026.

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