# KORG iM1 vs EXPANSION EXPLORER

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KORG iM1 at 82% against EXPANSION EXPLORER's 25%. KORG iM1 also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (1K vs 2). EXPANSION EXPLORER's advantage is price (Free vs $29.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

EXPANSION EXPLORER is free to download; KORG iM1 costs $29.99 up front. KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. EXPANSION EXPLORER asks for nothing beyond the download.

KORG iM1 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG iM1 has 1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of KORG iM1's written reviews are positive against 25% of EXPANSION EXPLORER's.

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, EXPANSION EXPLORER every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KORG iM1 | EXPANSION EXPLORER |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/expansion-explorer/id6477550974/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **81.5% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 200 MB | 154 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) | [Yamaha Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/353469356) |

## What reviewers say

### KORG iM1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326)

This app faithfully reproduces the legendary M1 synthesizer, offering its iconic sounds and expanded features for modern music creation. It provides a vast library of presets and intuitive performance tools, making it accessible to both experienced musicians and beginners.

**Highlights:** Faithful reproduction of original M1 sound, Expanded filter resonance and 18 effects, Gigantic library of 3,300 sounds, Intuitive KAOSS pad for performance, Smart Sound Browser for quick sound selection, Compatible with KORG Gadget

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| M1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| T1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Authentic M1 sound reproduction
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🎹 Faithful recreation of the original hardware
- 🎨 Powerful sound customization options
- 🔗 Works well with MIDI controllers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues
- 🔇 Low output volume compared to other apps
- 🤔 Confusing UI for patch editing and saving
- 🔴 Missing AUv3 support for integration with DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing or missing purchased sound cards
- Bluetooth MIDI connectivity issues
- Compatibility problems with certain iOS versions or devices

**Requested features**

- Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve preset management and saving capabilities
- Increase master volume control options
- Expand sound library with more cards/expansions


### EXPANSION EXPLORER

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/expansion-explorer/id6477550974)

Discover, install, and manage additional content for compatible Yamaha arranger workstations. Explore a library of free Voices, Styles, and Multi Pads, and even get style recommendations based on audio files. Preview content before installing it directly to your instrument.

**Highlights:** Discover and install expansion content, Search and filter by country, tempo, beat, Analyze audio files for style recommendations, Pre-listen to content before installation, Wireless or USB installation, Create favorite content lists, Light and dark mode options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KORG iM1 free?

KORG iM1 costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is EXPANSION EXPLORER free?

EXPANSION EXPLORER is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KORG iM1 or EXPANSION EXPLORER?

KORG iM1 is rated higher. KORG iM1 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while EXPANSION EXPLORER averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do KORG iM1 or EXPANSION EXPLORER have ads?

Neither KORG iM1 nor EXPANSION EXPLORER shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KORG iM1 or EXPANSION EXPLORER?

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, and EXPANSION EXPLORER every 5 months. Most recently, KORG iM1 was updated on September 26, 2026 and EXPANSION EXPLORER on September 1, 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.*