Comparison

Ions 2+ vs tappr.wands

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Ions 2+

Explore a dynamic particle simulation with extensive customization options. Control ion color, size, shape, and trails. Utilize device motion and advanced grid placement for unique creations. Supports a high particle count for detailed simulations.

Highlights
  • Customizable ion color and size
  • Shape and trail effects
  • Accelerometer control
  • Rectangular and polar grids
  • High particle count (up to 100,000)
  • Save custom layouts and looks
Features
Read full description

Ions is back, recharged and better than ever! The sequel to the staff-favorite particle simulation allows total control over the look and behavior of your creations. Ions 2+ also supports iPhones and iPods as well as iPads! Your ions can now change color and size based on age, speed, direction, and other parameters! Change shape, leave trails, change the background, and more! Use your device’s accelerometer to react to gravity or add turbulence and drag for more variety. You also have both rectangular and polar grids for precise placement. Why stop at only 20,000 particles? With Ions 2+, you can raise the limit up to 100,000 on faster devices. Of course you can still save your favorite layouts, as well as any custom looks you’ve created. Ions 2+. I'm positive you'll love it.

About

tappr.wands

Transform your iOS device into a dynamic visual instrument for creating stunning real-time graphics. Supports 3D Touch and Apple Pencil for expressive control, with video output and wireless capabilities for collaboration.

Highlights
  • 100 unique visual wands
  • Configurable wand shapes (point, line, circle)
  • 10 visual effects including symmetry
  • Multi-touch support up to 10 fingers
  • Apple Pencil and 3D Touch integration
  • Accelerometer-based tilt control
  • Video Out and wireless connectivity
Features
Read full description

tappr.wands turns your iOS devices into beautiful visual instruments. 3D Touch and Apple Pencil are fully supported for truly stunning realtime and kinetic visuals. Video Out and Wireless support enable remixing and collaboration. Features 100 Wands - Each wand reacts to your expressive taps, swipes, and tilts, to make beautiful visuals 3 Shapes - each wand can be configured to emit from a point, a line, or a circle 10 Effects - effects include symmetry and mirror Multi Touch - use of up to 10 fingers at once, each independently expressive Apple Pencil - twirl your Apple Pencil with line-shape wands for dramatic swirling effects 3D Touch - press soft or firm to change the size of the wand in realtime Fat Touch - on older devices, control wand size with the surface area of your fingers Accelerometer - tilt your iPhone to change the orientation of line-shape wands Video Out - connect your device to an HDTV or projector, either via cable or AirPlay Wireless - connects with tappr.tv wirelessly for realtime multi- instrument dances

Screenshots

Ions 2+4 screens
tappr.wands2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ions 2+ at 94% against tappr.wands's 50%. Ions 2+ also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Ions 2+ costs $1.99 and tappr.wands $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ions 2+ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ions 2+ has 39 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of Ions 2+'s written reviews are positive against 50% of tappr.wands's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ions 2+ ships an update every 15 months, tappr.wands every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Ions 2+ versus tappr.wands: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIons 2+tappr.wands
Price$1.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.8 (39 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews93.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings39 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 11 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better26.6
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDouglas Applewhitedeeje LLC

Customer experience

Ions 2+

All ratings39 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%

tappr.wands

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Ions 2+

No in-app purchases

None

tappr.wands

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ions 2+ free?
Ions 2+ costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is tappr.wands free?
tappr.wands costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ions 2+ or tappr.wands?
Ions 2+ is rated higher. Ions 2+ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while tappr.wands averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Ions 2+ or tappr.wands have ads?
Neither Ions 2+ nor tappr.wands shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ions 2+ or tappr.wands?
Ions 2+ ships an update every 15 months, and tappr.wands every 11 months. Most recently, Ions 2+ was updated on October 22, 2026 and tappr.wands on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons