mpump vs Playbeat 4

mpump is a browser drum machine, groovebox, and step sequencer for creating beats and sharing them as links. Someone opening a shared link can change the groove and send a revised version. The browser tool includes drums, bass, synth, a mixer, and effects with real-time synthesis, as well as patterns, arpeggiators, and Euclidean rhythms. It supports MIDI clock synchronization and an Ableton Link bridge for use with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor, djay, and other Link-enabled apps. Recordings can be saved as WAV, and sessions can be imported or exported as JSON. The PWA works offline after its first load. Live Jam supports up to 4 peers, and Live Set supports up to 49 listeners; both are opt-in and currently need a user-provided relay because the public hosted relay is offline. The maker says there are no accounts or personal tracking and music stays on the user's device. mpump is free on Android, iOS, and the web, with source code under AGPL-3.0.

Playbeat 4 is a drum designer for creating patterns, sounds, grooves, and remixes. Its genre-based randomization generates patterns for selected music styles, with control over beat complexity. Eight pattern tracks support sequencing, and the factory library includes patterns, sounds, and 1500 kits. MIDI output can control other plugins or external hardware, and supported DAWs include Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper, and Reason.

Desktop versions come as VST3, AU, AAX, or standalone for macOS 10.14 and newer or Windows 10 and newer, including native Apple Silicon M1/M2 compatibility. On iPad, formats are AUv3 and standalone; that app requires a separate purchase from desktop. The unlimited-time trial includes the factory library and algorithms, but disables MIDI output, importing personal sounds, and saving presets. Playbeat 4 costs €89, paid once, the version with all expansions costs €99, paid once, and previous-version owners can upgrade for €29 as a one-time purchase.