Koala Sampler vs Zenbeats
Koala Sampler
koalasampler.comZenbeats
roland.comSide by side
| Figure | Koala Sampler | Zenbeats |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 11 | 9 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 9.0 (#8) | 9.1 (#5) |
| Documentation | The maker publishes a structured manual covering basics, sequencing, performance, plugins, specifications and desktop operation. | Roland publishes a 55-page Start Guide covering installation, MIDI, plug-ins, editing, recording, mixing, cloud transfer, stem export and MIDI export. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Sidcup, Kent, United Kingdom | Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan |
| Integrations | iOS AUv3 operation works in hosts including AUM, GarageBand and Logic Pro, and Ableton Link enables Wi-Fi jamming. | Projects can be transferred between devices through Google Drive or OneDrive, and stems and loops can be exported for other DAWs. |
| Licence | The desktop plugin is proprietary software licensed personally, non-exclusively and non-transferably; one licence can run on up to three computers. | Zenbeats is distributed as Roland proprietary software with free and paid unlocks; Roland's product and support pages do not identify an open-source licence. |
| Rating on Google Play | 4.8 out of 5 from 3.27K reviews | 3.74 out of 5 from 2,231 reviews |
| Security and privacy | The maker says projects and audio stay on the user's computer, mobile apps need no account, and it does not sell data or use it for advertising. | Roland's privacy statement says it works toward GDPR, UK-GDPR, CCPA and other applicable privacy-law requirements. |
| Sequencing | The app provides 32 sequence slots and unlimited sequence length. | LoopBuilder provides clip-based creation while Timeline view supports detailed arrangement and automation. |
| What it does | Koala records microphone sounds or imports audio, turns them into beats, applies effects, sequences ideas and resamples performances. | Zenbeats is Roland's cross-platform music-creation application for beatmaking, recording, arranging, sampling and mixing. |
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
Zenbeats
- Free VersionFree
- Max Unlock$149.99 a month
- Roland Cloud Membership$2.99 a month
- Android Unlock$14.99, paid once
- iOS Unlock$14.99, paid once
- macOS Unlock$49.99, paid once
- Windows Unlock$49.99, paid once
- Platform Unlock$59.99, paid once
- Max Unlock$149.99, 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.