Comparison

Ions 2+ vs Internal Waves

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

Internal Waves

Create interactive particle art that responds to touch and music. This mindfulness experience offers a calming way to express yourself with light and motion, perfect for relaxation or creative exploration. Features AR mode for painting in your real-world space.

Highlights
  • Interactive particle art creation
  • Music-reactive visuals
  • Augmented Reality (AR) mode
  • Multi-touch drawing
  • Customizable particle effects
  • Mindfulness and relaxation focus
Features
Read full description

Discover calm, creativity, and connection through interactive particle art. Internal Waves – Particle Flow is a mindfulness experience that lets you draw, play, and express yourself with light and motion. Whether you're relaxing before bed or just need a moment to reset, touch the screen and watch beautiful, fluid particles respond to your fingers — or to your music. Features: Draw with your fingers using flowing, glowing particle trails Visuals that react to music — yours or built-in tracks AR mode (on supported devices) to paint with light in your real-world space Supports up to 10-finger multi-touch drawing Add motion drift, color variation, and more to customize your vibe No goals. No pressure. Just motion, sound, and light — designed to help you breathe, explore, and reset. Great For: Mindfulness and meditation Visual stimulation and relaxation Music lovers and visual artists Late-night winding down Just vibing out when you need a break Tap in and feel the flow. Internal Waves – Particle Flow is more than an app — it's a state of mind. App Store Connect and the Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Ions 2+4 screens
Internal Waves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ions 2+ at 94% against Internal Waves's 0%. Ions 2+ also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Internal Waves's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 15 months). On device support 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

Internal Waves is free to download; Ions 2+ costs $1.99 up front. Internal Waves sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Ions 2+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ions 2+ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ions 2+ has 39 ratings behind it against 1, 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 0% of Internal Waves's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ions 2+ ships an update every 15 months, Internal Waves every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Ions 2+ versus Internal Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIons 2+Internal Waves
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (39 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews93.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings39 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB133 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDouglas ApplewhiteRiley McKinnon

Customer experience

Ions 2+

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

Internal Waves

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Ions 2+

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Internal Waves

Subscriptions2
  • Particle Flow Premium–Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Particle Flow Premium – Yearly3 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Ions 2+ free?
Ions 2+ costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Internal Waves free?
Internal Waves is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ions 2+ or Internal Waves?
Ions 2+ is rated higher. Ions 2+ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Internal Waves averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Ions 2+ or Internal Waves have ads?
Internal Waves shows ads; Ions 2+ does not.
Which is updated more often, Ions 2+ or Internal Waves?
Ions 2+ ships an update every 15 months, and Internal Waves every 10 days. Most recently, Ions 2+ was updated on November 1, 2026 and Internal Waves on November 5, 2026.

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