Hydrogen vs TRIAZ

HHydrogen9.4Visit TRIAZ8.7Visit

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

vs

TRIAZ #5 in Drum Machine Software 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Wave Alchemy

• Hydrogen fits best

  Free pattern-based drum production

• TRIAZ fits best

  Polyrhythmic sample-based sequencing

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Side by side

Feature	HHydrogen 9.4/10 Visit ↗	TRIAZ 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Drum Machine Software	#5 in Drum Machine Software
Best for	Free pattern-based drum production	Polyrhythmic sample-based sequencing
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	£119 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS
Support	Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Hydrogen 3/3 · TRIAZ 3/3
MIDI support	✓	✓
Sample import	✓	✓
Live performance tools	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Desktop	Plugin
Sequencing mode	Pattern	Step
Pattern tracks	Not checked yet	12 tracks
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	12 independent channels support detailed polyrhythmic sequencing Per-step controls and Motion Sequencer add expressive automation Exports audio, stems, full mixes and MIDI to a DAW
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	Runs only on macOS and Windows The £119 price is a one-time purchase with no free plan Its broad feature set may exceed simpler beat-making needs
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 →	TRIAZ is a drum production plugin for music producers, sound designers and artists who want detailed step sequencing alongside layered sample design. Its core structure provides 12 independent drum channels, with per-step controls for… 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

• TRIAZ — where it wins

  • 12 independent channels support detailed polyrhythmic sequencing
  • Per-step controls and Motion Sequencer add expressive automation
  • Exports audio, stems, full mixes and MIDI to a DAW

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs only on macOS and Windows
  • The £119 price is a one-time purchase with no free plan
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simpler beat-making needs

• HHydrogen9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit HydrogenFull verdict →
• TRIAZ8.7/10 · 14-day trial

  A deep sample-based drum plugin for producers who want polyrhythmic control.

  Visit Wave AlchemyFull verdict →