Koala Sampler vs MainStage
Koala Sampler
koalasampler.comMainStage
apple.comSide by side
| Figure | Koala Sampler | MainStage |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 11 | 8 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 9.0 (#8) | 5.8 (#131) |
Plans
Koala Sampler
- DesktopPrice not published
- Desktop Koala SamplerFree
- Desktop plugin trialFree
- Koala Sampler desktop plugin trialFree
- Koala Sampler (Mac, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi)Free
- Sample packs$2.99, paid once
- Samurai Edition$3.99, paid once
- Koala Sampler for Android$4.99, paid once
- Koala Sampler for iOS$4.99, paid once
- Koala Sampler (iOS)$4.99, paid once
MainStage
- Apple Creator Studio$12.99 a month
- Apple Creator Studio$129 a year
- Apple Creator Studio Educator and student$2.99 a month
- Educator and student Apple Creator Studio$2.99 a month
- Apple Creator Studio Educator and student$29.99 a year
- Educator and student Apple Creator Studio$29.99 a year
- MainStage for Mac$29.99, paid once
- Logic Pro for Mac$199.99, paid once
In their own words
Koala Sampler
Koala Sampler records sounds through a device microphone or imports audio for making beats and tracks. It can capture up to 64 samples and includes a high-resolution sequencer, keyboard mode, quantization, swing, and effects. Projects can be exported as WAV loops or tracks; the iOS version can also export Ableton Live Sets. MIDI control and Ableton Link support external control and Wi-Fi jamming. Optional in-app purchases add more tools: Samurai includes time-stretch algorithms, a piano roll, auto-chop, a three-band EQ, a polyphonic synth, and MIDI output. Mixer adds four channels, a main bus, and five effect slots per channel; its external plugin hosting is available on iOS, Mac, and Windows, but not Android. Koala Sampler is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Desktop builds for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi are free for now, although the Windows build is in beta. The iOS app costs $4.99, paid once, with in-app purchases sold separately. The maker says mobile apps do not require an account and keep projects and audio on the device.