Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Beat Making Software

MPC Beats vs BeatMaker 3

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score MPC Beats #5 in Beat Making Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit MPC Beats
BeatMaker 3 #6 in Beat Making Software 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit INTUA

MPC Beats leads on 1 check, BeatMaker 3 on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMPC Beats · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly MPC Beats
  • Most featuresBeatMaker 3 · 3 of 3

MPC Beats scores higher on our rubric for beat making software: 8.6 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

MPC Beats offers free plan; BeatMaker 3 doesn't. On platforms, BeatMaker 3 gives you Mobile where MPC Beats offers Desktop.

MPC Beats is the better fit for budget-conscious desktop beatmakers. BeatMaker 3 is the better fit for advanced iPad production and live sampling.

  • MPC Beats fits best

    Budget-conscious desktop 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 MPC Beats 8.6/10 Visit ↗ BeatMaker 3 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.4
Ranking #5 in Beat Making Software #6 in Beat Making Software
Best for Budget-conscious desktop beatmakers Advanced iPad production and live sampling
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS iOS
Support Docs, Tickets Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features MPC Beats 2/3 · BeatMaker 3 3/3
Plugin support ✓ ✓
MIDI support ✓ ✓
Sample import Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Platforms Desktop Mobile
Track limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audio export Not checked yet WAVE, AAC
Our review
Pros
  • Free access to MIDI, audio recording, sequencing, and project saving
  • Supports third-party 64-bit VST2 and AU plugins
  • Includes sampling, controller mapping, arrangement, and track export
  • 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
  • Runs on Windows and macOS rather than mobile platforms
  • Plugin support is limited to 64-bit VST2 and AU formats
  • Its workflow is centered on beat making and desktop 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

MPC Beats is a free desktop digital audio workstation for beat makers, musicians, and producers. It combines sequencing with MIDI and audio recording, sample-based production, mixing, plugin support, arrangement, project saving, and audio…

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 →
  1. MPC BeatsBeat Making Software 8.6Free plan
  2. BeatMaker 3Beat Making Software 8.4Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MPC Beats — where it wins

    • Free access to MIDI, audio recording, sequencing, and project saving
    • Supports third-party 64-bit VST2 and AU plugins
    • Includes sampling, controller mapping, arrangement, and track export

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows and macOS rather than mobile platforms
    • Plugin support is limited to 64-bit VST2 and AU formats
    • Its workflow is centered on beat making and desktop 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
  • MPC Beats8.6/10 · Free plan

    A capable free desktop workstation for beatmakers who need recording, sampling, and export.

    Visit MPC BeatsFull verdict →
  • BeatMaker 38.4/10 · Paid

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

    Visit INTUAFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update