# Cubasis LE 2 vs FM Essential

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FM Essential at none against Cubasis LE 2's 10. FM Essential also leads on rating (3.0 vs 2.8). Cubasis LE 2's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 15 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cubasis LE 2 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. FM Essential asks for nothing beyond the download.

FM Essential holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Cubasis LE 2's written reviews are positive against 40% of FM Essential's.

Cubasis LE 2 ships an update every 3 months, FM Essential every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cubasis LE 2 | FM Essential |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cubasis-le-2/id989112953/reviews) | **[3.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **70** |
| Positive reviews | 35.7% of reviews | **40.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.1 GB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/316698251) | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) |

## What reviewers say

### Cubasis LE 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cubasis-le-2/id989112953)

This mobile music creation system allows users to record, edit, and mix audio and MIDI tracks. It features virtual instruments, effects, and editors for polishing songs. Projects can be exported to desktop versions for further refinement.

**Highlights:** Up to 4 audio and 4 MIDI tracks, Virtual instrument with virtual keyboard, Integrated editors and mixer, Selected effects including reverb, Export projects to Cubase, MIDI over Bluetooth LE support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Micrologue ARP | $4.99 | one-time |
| Waves Tune Real-Time | $4.99 | one-time |
| FX Pack 1: Reverbs & Delays | $6.99 | one-time |
| FX Pack 2: Vintage FX | $6.99 | one-time |
| Classic Machines | $6.99 | one-time |
| Waves AudioTrack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Waves L1 Ultramaximizer | $7.99 | one-time |
| Waves Q10 Equalizer | $7.99 | one-time |
| Cubasis LE 2 Full Feature Set | $14.99 | one-time |
| Waves Plug-in Bundle | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great DAW for iOS
- 👍 Good for MIDI and audio
- 👍 Stable on iPad Pro
- 👍 Works well with hardware
- 👍 Good value on sale

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Demo mode is restrictive
- 👎 Requires specific hardware to unlock
- 👎 Expensive full version
- 👎 Limited functionality in LE version
- 👎 Not intuitive for beginners

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on loading
- App crashes after update
- Demo mode does not unlock
- Hardware not recognized for unlocking
- Purchases not restoring

**Requested features**

- Tempo track and markers
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Punch in/out function
- Tempo and time signature changes mid-song
- Chord track


### FM Essential

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614)

This app is an FM tone generator and synthesizer for iPhone and iPad, offering real-time performance capabilities and voice editing. It includes a variety of presets, arpeggiator patterns, chord pads, and scales, along with drum functionalities. The app also supports external hardware integration and advanced sound manipulation through effects, EQ, and a ball controller.

**Highlights:** FM tone generator, Real-time synth performance, Voice editing, Arpeggiator and chord pads, Effects and EQ edit, Ball controller for sound modulation, Step sequencer

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Fantastic sound quality
- 👍 Easy to use
- ✨ Amazing synth capabilities
- 💡 Great FM synth app
- 🎵 Wonderful, flexible, intuitive synth

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔓 App locked by hardware
- 🔌 Connection issues
- 💸 Expensive hardware required
- ❓ Deceptive free app
- 😩 Limited functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Does not unlock with USB-C adapter
- App crashes when loading combinations
- Preset menus crash the app
- Combined Sounds no longer read from keyboard after iPad update
- Instruments stop working if effect filters are turned off

**Requested features**

- Unlock without hardware purchase
- Allow in-app purchase to unlock
- Bring back Tenori On apps
- Fix LFO delay parameter
- Add separate volume control for drums


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cubasis LE 2 free?

Cubasis LE 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FM Essential free?

FM Essential is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cubasis LE 2 or FM Essential?

FM Essential is rated higher. Cubasis LE 2 averages 2.8 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while FM Essential averages 3.0 from 70 ratings.

### Do Cubasis LE 2 or FM Essential have ads?

Neither Cubasis LE 2 nor FM Essential shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cubasis LE 2 or FM Essential?

Cubasis LE 2 ships an update every 3 months, and FM Essential every 15 months. Most recently, Cubasis LE 2 was updated on October 20, 2026 and FM Essential on October 22, 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.*