Koala Sampler vs BeatMaker 3

Koala Sampler8.8Visit BeatMaker 38.4Visit

Higher score Koala Sampler #4 in Beat Making Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Koala Sampler

vs

BeatMaker 3 #6 in Beat Making Software 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit INTUA

• Koala Sampler fits best

  Portable sample-based beatmakers

• BeatMaker 3 fits best

  Advanced iPad production and live sampling

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	Koala Sampler 8.8/10 Visit ↗	BeatMaker 3 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#4 in Beat Making Software	#6 in Beat Making Software
Best for	Portable sample-based beatmakers	Advanced iPad production and live sampling
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	iOS
Support	Email, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Koala Sampler 3/3 · BeatMaker 3 3/3
Plugin support	✓	✓
MIDI support	✓	✓
Sample import	✓	✓
Specs
Platforms	Cross_platform	Mobile
Track limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Audio export	WAV; .koala; .adg; Ableton Live Set	WAVE, AAC
Our review
Pros	Records, imports, chops, stretches and sequences audio Supports MIDI, plugins, stem separation and piano-roll editing Runs across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux	128 trigger pads across eight banks support detailed beat programming Unlimited tracks, audio recording, MIDI sequencing, and full mixing tools Audio Unit V3, Audiobus, Ableton Link, and MIDI support broaden its workflow
Cons	Mobile pricing varies by store and region External plugin hosting is limited to supported platforms Its workflow centers on samples rather than broad music production	Available on iOS, with the product focused on iPad production Sound-store purchases are separate from the main app Audio export is limited to WAVE and AAC formats
Our verdict	Koala Sampler is a pocket-sized sampler, sequencer and mixer for beat makers who build tracks from recorded or imported sounds. It records through a device microphone, imports audio files and video-derived audio, and arranges samples into… Read the review →	BeatMaker 3 is an iPad music-production workstation from INTUA for musicians and producers building beats, sampled instruments, patterns, and complete songs. It brings together a drum machine with 128 trigger pads across eight banks, a… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Koala Sampler — where it wins

  • Records, imports, chops, stretches and sequences audio
  • Supports MIDI, plugins, stem separation and piano-roll editing
  • Runs across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • Mobile pricing varies by store and region
  • External plugin hosting is limited to supported platforms
  • Its workflow centers on samples rather than broad music production

• BeatMaker 3 — where it wins

  • 128 trigger pads across eight banks support detailed beat programming
  • Unlimited tracks, audio recording, MIDI sequencing, and full mixing tools
  • Audio Unit V3, Audiobus, Ableton Link, and MIDI support broaden its workflow

  Where it doesn't

  • Available on iOS, with the product focused on iPad production
  • Sound-store purchases are separate from the main app
  • Audio export is limited to WAVE and AAC formats

• Koala Sampler8.8/10 · Free plan

  A flexible cross-platform beat maker for sample-based workflows and Ableton exports.

  Visit Koala SamplerFull verdict →
• BeatMaker 38.4/10 · Paid

  A deep iPad workstation for beat makers who need sampling, sequencing, and live control.

  Visit INTUAFull verdict →