# Ribbons vs Async Sampler

The clearest difference is price: Ribbons at $7.99 against Async Sampler's $14.99. Ribbons also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (91% vs 78%). Async Sampler's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 11 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Ribbons costs $7.99 and Async Sampler $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Ribbons holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 72 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Ribbons's written reviews are positive against 78% of Async Sampler's.

Ribbons ships an update every 11 months, Async Sampler every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ribbons | Async Sampler |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$7.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (72 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ribbons-touch-instrument/id898059305/reviews)** | [4.5 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/async-sampler/id6453162970/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **72** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | **90.7% of reviews** | 77.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 20 MB | 235 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Olympia Noise Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/500740314) | [Sergei Zhulkov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1698376336) |

## What reviewers say

### Ribbons

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ribbons-touch-instrument/id898059305)

This app offers an expressive musical instrument inspired by classic electronic devices. It features a fluid playing surface, a unique synthesis engine, and versatile MIDI control capabilities. Explore new sonic textures and control external synths with this innovative instrument.

**Highlights:** Expressive playing surface with fluid note gliding, Unique morphing wavetable synthesis engine, MIDI controller with MPE support, Inter-App Audio and Audiobus integration, Adjustable note snapping and guidelines, Built-in reverb and delay effects

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Great sound quality
- 🎨 Intuitive and beautiful UI
- 💡 Expressive instrument
- 🎛️ Versatile MIDI controller
- 🎹 Rich sound design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎚️ Mono synth engine
- 😞 Poor sound quality (subjective)
- ❓ No MIDI input (older reviews)
- 🤔 Not sure how to use it (niche)

**Reported bugs**

- Notes begin on standard pitches even with 0 snap set

**Requested features**

- AUv3 support
- Inter-App Audio support
- MIDI input support
- MPE support
- Stack of vertical sliders


### Async Sampler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/async-sampler/id6453162970)

Create captivating sound collages, dynamic textures, and rhythmic patterns with this powerful musical instrument. It offers asynchronous and synchronous playback modes, a versatile LFO, and an effects processor to elevate your sound design.

**Highlights:** Standalone and AUv3 versions, Three independent samplers, Extensive sample library, Upload your own samples, Asynchronous and synchronous playback, Flexible LFO system, Effects processor

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ribbons free?

Ribbons costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Async Sampler free?

Async Sampler costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ribbons or Async Sampler?

Ribbons is rated higher. Ribbons averages 4.7 out of 5 from 72 ratings, while Async Sampler averages 4.5 from 18 ratings.

### Do Ribbons or Async Sampler have ads?

Neither Ribbons nor Async Sampler shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ribbons or Async Sampler?

Ribbons ships an update every 11 months, and Async Sampler every 2 weeks. Most recently, Ribbons was updated on October 14, 2026 and Async Sampler on September 30, 2026.

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