Music production apps have the most stable iOS support of any serious category. The reason is structural: professional musicians tend to keep stable setups and resist updating — and developers know it. Breaking compatibility with a musician's working setup is a reputation killer in a niche community.
The result: many of the best music apps on iOS still support iOS 14 or 15, years after other categories moved on. Your older iPad may be locked out of Instagram, but Cubasis 3 doesn't care.
🎵 iOS minimum note: GarageBand is the notable exception — Apple's own app moved to iOS 16 minimum in a 2025 update. If you rely on GarageBand and your iPad is on iOS 15 or below, your existing install may still work but you won't receive updates. See our GarageBand alternatives guide.
Full DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations)
Cubasis 3 — Steinberg
The strongest recommendation on this list. Cubasis 3 is a full professional DAW from Steinberg, the makers of Cubase. Multi-track recording, MIDI sequencing, AudioUnit v3 plugin support, full mix console, and export to desktop Cubase. The interface is genuinely designed for iPad — not a phone-first app ported to tablet. Runs well on A9X and above; the iPad Pro 2017 models are particularly capable. This is what professional mobile music production looks like on iOS 15.
BeatMaker 3 — Intua
Deep sampling, beat production, clip launching, and a step sequencer that rivals desktop tools. BeatMaker 3 has been the go-to for hip-hop and electronic producers on iOS for years. Runs on iOS 12+, which means even the oldest iPads in our guides can run it. The learning curve is steeper than Cubasis but the depth rewards it.
FL Studio Mobile — Image-Line
The mobile version of the famous FL Studio DAW. Step sequencer, channel rack, mixer, and Piano Roll. Projects sync with the desktop version. Image-Line has maintained iOS 12 compatibility — unusual for a major developer in 2026. If you use FL Studio on desktop, this is the natural companion app.
Synths & Sound Design
Korg Gadget 2
A collection of over 40 synthesiser instruments in a single app — each one designed as a miniature hardware synth. From drum machines to bass synths to pads. Gadget 2 is expensive but it's essentially a full hardware synth collection in one app, with an iOS-native sequencer tying it together. The iPad's larger screen makes the gadgets significantly more usable than on iPhone.
Moog Model D
The official Moog Foundation app — an exact recreation of the Minimoog Model D. Play it standalone or as an AudioUnit plugin inside a DAW. Runs on iOS 9+. At under £4 it's one of the best-value music apps on the App Store. Works on everything in our device guides.
Animoog Z — Moog
Moog's polyphonic synthesiser designed specifically for iPad. The multi-touch X/Y pad lets you play expressively in ways a keyboard can't replicate. Excellent for ambient and electronic music. The iOS 14 minimum means iPad mini 4, Air 2, and all newer models can run it.
Audio Routing & Utilities
AUM — Audio Mixer
AUM is the routing hub for serious iOS music setups. Connect any AudioUnit plugin, hardware input, or Ableton Link session, mix channels, apply effects. If you're building a complex iPad music rig with multiple apps and hardware, AUM is the glue. iOS 12+ means even older devices can run it.
Audiobus 3
The original iOS inter-app audio router. Connect synth apps to effects to DAWs in real time. Still updated and maintained in 2026, still runs on iOS 12. Essential if you want apps to talk to each other without a full AUM setup.
Free Options
BandLab
Free DAW with cloud sync, multi-track recording, beat machine, and collaboration features. A strong free alternative to GarageBand. Actively maintained in 2026 with iOS 14 minimum — works on iPad mini 4, Air 2, and 6th gen iPads.
GarageBand (legacy install)
If you already have GarageBand installed on your iOS 15 device, it may continue working in a frozen state — you just won't receive further updates. For new installs on iOS 15, GarageBand is no longer available. See our full GarageBand alternatives guide.
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Browse music apps →Also see: GarageBand alternatives for iOS 15 · iPad Pro 2017 — the music producer's choice · 10 things to do with an old iPad