Comparison

modstep vs Ruismaker FM

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

Head to head
About

modstep

Create music with a powerful MIDI sequencer for iPad. Control external hardware, IAA apps, and Audio Units. Features unlimited tracks, real-time editing, and integrated synths/samplers for on-the-go or studio production.

Highlights
  • Session-style MIDI sequencer
  • Unlimited tracks and scenes
  • Real-time editing and modulation
  • Integrated synth and sampler
  • IAA and Audio Unit integration
  • Ableton Link sync
  • MIDI and Audio export
Features
Read full description

Modstep Introducing Modstep, Modulation Monster and the first full-blown MIDI sequencer for the iPad. Modstep allows you to create music and jam with your iPad and your favorite IAA Apps, Audio Units, Mac and PC software and MIDI hardware as well as the internal drum sampler and synth. Use it as the centerpiece of your setup to create and perform music on the go, in the studio and on stage. "If you´re looking for a versatile, adaptable MIDI sequencer for iOS, Modstep comes highly recommended" Sound On Sound “Modstep could change how an iPad fits into your music making” CDM “If you’ve ever dreamed of a touchscreen brain for your studio, this is it.” FACTMag "Modstep is a great step forward for step sequencing.” Audionewsroom FEATURES: -Session-style MIDI sequencer with unlimited tracks & scenes. -Play individual clips or whole scenes, or use the included arrangement features to manage more sophisticated song-structures. -Clips are pattern based which allows quick edits on the fly. Set a variable speed per pattern. -Edit clips with either the Step Sequencer or the Piano Roll -Step Sequencer with active steps and step-shifting. -Piano Roll with variable quantization including triplets, access to modulations, velocities and scales. -Everything can be edited, arranged, modulated or changed in real-time. -Note Repeat from 1-48th to 1/4th. -Global Swing -Unlimited MIDI & Audio tracks - only restricted by the power of your iPad. -Tempo range from 20 to 999bpm. -Sync via Ableton Link. -Stable and low-latency MIDI Clock In & Out with latency adjustment. -Trigger out -integrated global keyboard with scales & drum-pads allow quick recording of individual tracks with a single surface. -Use an external controller or keyboard to control, record or play any given track. -Midi mappable via external MIDI controllers -Internal additive synth with up to 64 harmonics per voice, 3-band eq, delay, reverb, lfo and detune. -Internal sampler with pitch, volume, reverse, fx per slot, 3 band-eq, delay and reverb. -Integrate any IAA compatible app or Audio Unit as an instrument or effect. -unlimited number of effects per track. -Audiobus support. -convenient plugin management via drag and drop. -Integrated mixer with Arm, Mute, Solo per track -Any loaded instrument or external MIDI hardware is completely modulatable via CCs. -Up to 128 CC modulations per track. -Audio and MIDI streaming directly via charger cable to Mac and PC using studiomux technology -Export sample perfect loops of audio per track. Choose which channels to record. The internal quantization will make sure they are sample-perfect and ready for any DAW. -Import / Export of MIDI files. -Import / Export of Audio & MIDI files via AudioShare. -A sophisticated template system allows quick setup of tracks to control external MIDI hardware, apps or plugins. -Includes many preconfigured templates for popular external hardware. -Template editor to create your own templates for IAA Apps, desktop Apps and external MIDI devices -Supports all MIDI interfaces for the iPad -Works on all iPads (iPad 1 restricted to MIDI only) Requirements: iOS 8 or later for audio and MIDI streaming to a Mac or PC, the studiomux server software is required: get the latest for free at studiomux.net Manual: You can find the manual here: http://www.modstep.net/manual

About

Ruismaker FM

Design unique percussion sounds from scratch with a flexible synthesis engine. Create everything from traditional drums to unconventional effects. Offers a standalone Euclidean sequencer for pattern creation and export options.

Highlights
  • FM synthesis engine for percussion
  • Create custom drum sounds
  • Euclidean sequencer
  • AUv3 compatible
  • No samples used
  • MIDI CC controllable
Features
Read full description

Here comes the the crazy twin-sister of Ruismaker, designed for people who want to design their own percussion sounds from scratch. Ruismaker FM's simple, yet flexible synthesis engine lets you create anything from snaredrums, kickdrums and spacy toms to weird and unconventional percussive sounds and effects. Ruismaker FM is a unique drumsynth plugin (i.e. it does not use samples), which is coupled with a creative Euclidean sequencer when run in standalone mode. The plugin is fully AUv3 (Audio Unit) compatible: - Seamless integration with Garageband and other AU hosts - Audio Unit Instrument: making music on iOS doesn't get more convenient - Supports AUv3 Multi-Out in AUM and ApeMatrix - Each sound is modeled using authentic analog and FM algorithms; - Comes with dozens of unique customizable models - Does not use any samples; all sounds are synthesized in realtime, on the fly - Light on the CPU, so you can run lots of Ruismaker FMs simultaneously - Fully automatable parameters (requires host support) and MIDI CC controllable - Has its own preset manager The standalone sequencer is refreshingly different: - Program patterns using Euclidean algorithms - Powerful random feature and mutation probability settings per channel - Syncs with Ableton Link or MIDI Clock - Exports WAV and MIDI - Compatible with Audiobus 3 (including MIDI IN/OUT mode) - CoreMIDI In and Out - AU MIDI output for on-screen pads User manual available on Ruismaker.com

Screenshots

Ruismaker FM2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ruismaker FM at 5.0 against modstep's 2.8. Ruismaker FM also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 46%) and price ($4.99 vs $9.99). modstep's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 11.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

modstep costs $9.99 and Ruismaker FM $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ruismaker FM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 54 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of modstep's written reviews are positive against 83% of Ruismaker FM's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, Ruismaker FM every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
modstep versus Ruismaker FM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermodstepRuismaker FM
Price$9.99$4.99 — better
Rating2.8 (39 ratings)5.0 (54 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3954 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS7.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian BlomertBram Bos

Customer experience

modstep

All ratings39 ratings
Positive41.0%
Neutral5.1%
Negative53.8%
Written reviews155 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral14.2%
Negative40.0%

Ruismaker FM

All ratings54 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%

Bugs and requests

modstep

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • App crashes when loading external IAA/AU instruments
  • Constant clicking sound with metronome off
  • Projects fail to load or require multiple restart attempts
  • MIDI input routing ignores channel settings
  • Track names change when using 'save as' function
Show 13 more
  • App crashes when adding second synth to project
  • Black screen on startup
  • Crashes when editing notes in pattern editor
  • MIDI note hanging and stuck notes
  • Random crashes during playback or editing
  • Instruments deleted after app crash
  • Inter-app audio broken on newer iOS versions
  • App crashes when deleting tracks
  • Editing while playing causes crashes
  • Clip deletion causes crashes
  • IAA apps lock in slots
  • Screen goes blank during operation
  • Skipped notes and misfired triggers

Requested features

18 requests
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • MIDI import capability
  • Pre-roll for recording
  • Dedicated mixer with send/returns
  • Audio loop recording and playback
Show 13 more
  • State saving for synth presets
  • Bank MSB/LSB support for program changes
  • Precise CC automation entry
  • Song mode for arrangement
  • MIDI CC scene launching
  • Metronome volume and pan control
  • Note selection tool in piano roll
  • Groove templates
  • Better transposition tools
  • Pan control for instruments
  • Reset function for faders and values
  • AU MIDI plugin support
  • Sample upload over IP

Ruismaker FM

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

modstep

No in-app purchases

None

Ruismaker FM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is modstep free?
modstep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ruismaker FM free?
Ruismaker FM costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, modstep or Ruismaker FM?
Ruismaker FM is rated higher. modstep averages 2.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Ruismaker FM averages 5.0 from 54 ratings.
Do modstep or Ruismaker FM have ads?
Neither modstep nor Ruismaker FM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, modstep or Ruismaker FM?
modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ruismaker FM every 5 weeks. Most recently, modstep was updated on June 10, 2026 and Ruismaker FM on September 23, 2026.

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