Subscriptions have become common across music apps, but one-time-purchase options still exist across every major category: full DAWs, groovebox-style apps, samplers, and live loopers. Here's a roundup organized by what each app is built to do.
Comparison Table
| App | Category | Pricing Model | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubasis 3 | Mobile DAW | One-time purchase, optional in-app purchases | Unlimited audio/MIDI tracks, project exchange with desktop Cubase |
| FL Studio Mobile | Mobile DAW | One-time purchase | Step sequencer and piano roll modeled on desktop FL Studio |
| BeatMaker 3 | Sampler and sequencer | One-time purchase | Deep MPC-style sampling, sequencing, and mixing with FX chains |
| Loopy Pro | Live looper and performance environment | Free trial, then a one-time unlock | Looping, sampling, MIDI sequencing, and plugin hosting on a customizable canvas |
| GarageBand | All-around music app | Free | Touch Instruments, Live Loops, and multitrack recording at no cost |
| ARC-24 | Groovebox | One-time unlock after a free trial | Six synth tracks, chop-mode sampler, drum machine, and full mixer in one project |
Cubasis 3
Cubasis 3 brings a mobile version of Steinberg's Cubase DAW to iOS, with unlimited audio and MIDI tracks and the ability to move projects between Cubasis and desktop Cubase. The core app is a one-time purchase, with additional instruments and effects available as optional add-ons.
FL Studio Mobile
FL Studio Mobile carries the step sequencer and piano roll workflow familiar from desktop FL Studio into a one-time-purchase mobile app, without a recurring fee.
BeatMaker 3
BeatMaker 3 pairs a serious sampler with a full sequencer, multi-layered kits, and FX chains, as a single one-time purchase rather than a subscription.
Loopy Pro
Loopy Pro offers a free trial period, after which a one-time unlock covers its full looping, sampling, sequencing, and plugin-hosting toolset, with no ongoing subscription required.
GarageBand
GarageBand is free with no purchase at all, and includes a genuinely capable set of tools: Touch Instruments, Live Loops, a beat sequencer, and multitrack recording.
ARC-24
ARC-24 uses a free trial followed by a one-time unlock, with no subscription. It includes six synth tracks with overdub recording, a sampler with chop mode, a drum machine, an arpeggiator, a drone layer, song mode, and a full mixer, all in one project on iPhone and iPad.
Why the Pricing Model Matters
A one-time purchase means the cost is fixed and known upfront: no recurring charge to keep using features you've already paid for. This matters most for anyone planning to use an app for years, where a subscription's ongoing cost can eventually exceed a one-time price by a wide margin.
How to Choose
- Want a full mobile DAW with desktop Cubase integration? Cubasis 3.
- Already familiar with FL Studio's workflow? FL Studio Mobile.
- Want deep, MPC-style sampling and sequencing? BeatMaker 3.
- Want a customizable live looping and performance environment? Loopy Pro.
- Want a free starting point with real capability? GarageBand.
- Want synths, sampler, and drums together in one project? ARC-24.
FAQ
Are one-time-purchase music apps less capable than subscription apps?
Not inherently. Several of the deepest mobile production tools available (Cubasis 3, BeatMaker 3, FL Studio Mobile) use one-time purchases, so pricing model isn't a reliable indicator of capability.
Why do some apps charge a subscription instead of a one-time fee?
It often comes down to what the subscription is paying for: ongoing access to a growing or licensed sound library, cloud storage, or collaboration features tends to favor a subscription model over a fixed one-time purchase.
Do one-time-purchase apps still receive updates?
Many do, though it varies by developer. Some one-time purchases include free updates indefinitely; others may introduce paid upgrades for major new versions. Check the specific app's listing for its update policy.
Is a free trial before a one-time purchase the same as a subscription?
No. A free trial followed by a single one-time unlock charges once, after which the app is fully accessible with no recurring payment, unlike a subscription that continues to charge on a schedule.