Comparison

Ions 2+ vs LumiDrift

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

LumiDrift

Create mesmerizing visual art with touch gestures. This app transforms your interactions into flowing particles, glowing light trails, and dynamic digital patterns in real time. Enjoy a calming, distraction-free experience designed for creative exploration.

Highlights
  • Real-time interactive particle motion
  • Smooth multi-touch visual effects
  • Glowing light trails
  • Dynamic colors
  • Minimal, immersive interface
  • Designed for iPhone and iPad
Read full description

LumiDrift is an interactive visual experience that turns simple touch gestures into glowing particles, light trails, and flowing digital art. Move one finger, use multiple fingers, and watch particles drift, gather, scatter, and glow with smooth motion. Explore vivid colors, dynamic light effects, and ambient visual patterns in real time. Whether you want a creative interactive toy, a calming visual companion, or a simple way to enjoy beautiful glow effects, LumiDrift provides a clean and distraction-free experience. Features: • Real-time interactive particle motion • Smooth multi-touch visual effects • Glowing light trails and dynamic colors • Minimal, immersive interface • Designed for iPhone and iPad LumiDrift does not require an account and is designed to be simple, private, and easy to use.

Screenshots

Ions 2+4 screens
LumiDrift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LumiDrift at Free against Ions 2+'s $1.99. LumiDrift also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 15 months). Ions 2+'s advantage is ratings volume (39 vs 3) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and 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

LumiDrift is free to download; Ions 2+ costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LumiDrift holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ions 2+ has 39 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ions 2+ ships an update every 15 months, LumiDrift every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Ions 2+ versus LumiDrift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIons 2+LumiDrift
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (39 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings39 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDouglas ApplewhiteGuangzhou Leqi Trading Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Ions 2+

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

LumiDrift

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Ions 2+

No in-app purchases

None

LumiDrift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ions 2+ free?
Ions 2+ costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is LumiDrift free?
LumiDrift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ions 2+ or LumiDrift?
LumiDrift is rated higher. Ions 2+ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while LumiDrift averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Ions 2+ or LumiDrift have ads?
Neither Ions 2+ nor LumiDrift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ions 2+ or LumiDrift?
Ions 2+ ships an update every 15 months, and LumiDrift every 2 weeks. Most recently, Ions 2+ was updated on November 1, 2026 and LumiDrift on October 31, 2026.

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