# ShaderMania — Create and share metal shaders

> Live coding environment for creating and sharing Metal shaders with node-based editing. (iPhone/iPad app by Markus Moenig.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadermania/id1541065830 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Markus Moenig](https://appshunter.io/developer/1448432881)
- Category: Developer Tools, Graphics & Design
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 24 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2020-12-30
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadermania/id1541065830/reviews.md

## What is ShaderMania?

Create, edit, render, share, and learn Metal shaders with ShaderMania for iPad.

ShaderMania is a visual Metal shader editor for iPadOS. Write fragment shaders with realtime preview and playback, organize shaders and images as nodes, connect shader inputs, expose parameters as sliders, and export rendered images.

ShaderMania also includes a public shader library with examples and tutorial shaders, including links to explanation videos where available.

ShaderMania is free to use. Optional tips are available if you want to support development.

A physical keyboard is recommended for coding shaders on iPad.

Features

• Live Metal fragment shader editing with realtime preview and playback.
• Visual node graph for shader and image nodes.
• Connect shader nodes to build reusable shader chains.
• Named shader input slots declared directly in shader source code.
• Parameter annotations for sliders and live UI controls.
• Realtime syntax checking, compiler errors, and warnings.
• Render to custom resolutions and export PNG images.
• Undo and redo for common node graph edits.

Shader Library

• Browse public shader examples and tutorial shaders.
• Add shaders from the library to your own projects.
• Upload useful, inspectable shader work to the public library.

## Key features

- Live coding of Metal fragment shaders
- Real-time preview and playback
- Node-based shader creation
- Public shader database
- Tutorial shaders with video links
- Export shader output to PNG
- Syntax checking and error display

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadermania/id1541065830/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Handy Dev Tool

*2023-06-07*

If you're looking for a “Metal ShaderToy” this is it.

### 5/5 — Really nice

*2022-06-11*

Exactly what I was looking for. Makes it easy to prototype Metal shaders and preview them live.

### 5/5 — Happy Shader Coder

*2021-05-11*

Really nice tool to get into Shaders on OSX. I've only coded GLSL Shaders, and the change to Metal wasn't hard at all.

### 5/5 — Awesome App

*2021-03-29*

I've been looking for a simple editor to try out and play around with Shaders, and this is the one! Very nice!

## Frequently asked questions about ShaderMania

### What is ShaderMania?

ShaderMania is a free application for macOS and iPadOS that allows users to create, edit, share, and learn about Metal shaders. It features live coding with real-time previews and a node-based system for building shader effects.

### Is ShaderMania free to use?

Yes, ShaderMania is 100% free. While there are no mandatory purchases, users have the option to make a small donation to the author.

### What devices does ShaderMania support?

ShaderMania is available for Mac and iPad. It was released on 2020-12-30 and last updated on 2023-08-09 with version 1.55.

### Does ShaderMania have ads?

No, ShaderMania does not contain advertisements. The application is free to use, with optional donations available.

### How does ShaderMania handle shader creation?

ShaderMania utilizes a flexible node system where shaders and images can be connected. It also supports abstracted parameter definitions, allowing variables to be displayed as sliders for live adjustments in the user interface.

### Can I learn from ShaderMania?

Yes, ShaderMania features a database of public shaders, including tutorial shaders. These tutorials often include links to explanation videos, and users can add nodes from existing shaders to their projects.

### What are the benefits of the node system in ShaderMania?

The node system allows for chaining shaders and creating complex visual effects by connecting different shader components. It also enables the creation of named input slots directly within the shader source code.

### What is the age rating for ShaderMania?

ShaderMania has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in graphics development.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0 — 2026-04-30

ShaderMania 2.0 is a major refresh with faster node graph interaction, improved preview updates, undo and redo for common graph edits, more reliable shader compilation, and many stability fixes.

### 1.55 — 2023-08-09

Various bug fixes and cosmetics
Code editor font size can now be increased / decreased
New icon

### 1.5 — 2021-02-25

A new node system, abstracted variable parameters and a shader library with example shaders and tutorials

### 1.01 — 2021-01-07

Bugfixes, renaming, removing and moving of textures and shaders

### 1.0 — 2021-01-05

No release notes.

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## More apps by Markus Moenig

- [Denrim](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/denrim/id1529774186)

All apps by Markus Moenig: https://appshunter.io/developer/1448432881

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*