Hydrogen vs DMC60

HHydrogen9.4Visit DMC608.8Visit

Higher score H Hydrogen #1 in Drum Machine Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Hydrogen

vs

DMC60 #4 in Drum Machine Software 8.8/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit DorDSP

• Hydrogen fits best

  Free pattern-based drum production

• DMC60 fits best

  Deep desktop sequencing and sound design

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	HHydrogen 9.4/10 Visit ↗	DMC60 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Drum Machine Software	#4 in Drum Machine Software
Best for	Free pattern-based drum production	Deep desktop sequencing and sound design
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$9.99/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS
Support	Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hydrogen 3/3 · DMC60 3/3
MIDI support	✓	✓
Sample import	✓	✓
Live performance tools	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Desktop	Plugin
Sequencing mode	Pattern	Hybrid
Pattern tracks	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free and open source under GPLv2+ Pattern chaining, unlimited instrument tracks, and song arrangement MIDI, OSC, sample editing, and WAV, AIFF, FLAC, or OGG export	99-pattern sequencer with live and step recording Sample chopping, kit creation, and 21 drum synthesis voices Standalone, VST3, and AU formats with MIDI and DAW sync
Cons	Sequencing is pattern-based rather than hybrid Focused on desktop platforms rather than broader device coverage Its workflow centers on drumkits, samples, and drum arrangement	No free plan is available Perpetual license costs $129 upfront Completed purchases are non-refundable
Our verdict	Hydrogen is an open-source drum machine and drum synthesizer for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is aimed at musicians, producers, and performers who want to program or record drum patterns, arrange them into songs, work with samples and… Read the review →	DMC60 combines a drum machine, sampler, drum synthesizer, mixer, and standalone application for macOS and Windows. It is aimed at musicians, producers, and audio engineers who want detailed desktop sequencing with both plugin and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Hydrogen — where it wins

  • Free and open source under GPLv2+
  • Pattern chaining, unlimited instrument tracks, and song arrangement
  • MIDI, OSC, sample editing, and WAV, AIFF, FLAC, or OGG export

  Where it doesn't

  • Sequencing is pattern-based rather than hybrid
  • Focused on desktop platforms rather than broader device coverage
  • Its workflow centers on drumkits, samples, and drum arrangement

• DMC60 — where it wins

  • 99-pattern sequencer with live and step recording
  • Sample chopping, kit creation, and 21 drum synthesis voices
  • Standalone, VST3, and AU formats with MIDI and DAW sync

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Perpetual license costs $129 upfront
  • Completed purchases are non-refundable

• HHydrogen9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, cross-platform drum machine for pattern-driven production and live control.

  Visit HydrogenFull verdict →
• DMC608.8/10 · 14-day trial

  A deep desktop drum workstation with hybrid sequencing and flexible sound design.

  Visit DorDSPFull verdict →