Comparison

OP vs Polywave

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

Head to head
About

OP

This app provides a wireless screen for the OP-Z synthesizer, displaying real-time musical data like mixer levels and effect amounts. It enhances interaction with multi-touch controls for simultaneous adjustments and a smooth touchpad for effects.

Highlights
  • Wireless screen for OP-Z
  • Real-time data visualization
  • Mixer level monitoring
  • Effect level monitoring
  • Multi-touch mixer control
  • Touchpad for effects/filters
Features
Read full description

This is the official OP-Z companion app. Use your iOS device as a wireless screen for the mighty OP-Z synthesizer. See the numbers and graphs behind the music you create in real time. At a glance, you know how your instruments are balanced in the mixer or just how much effect is applied to each instrument. The app adds another dimension to your interaction with the OP–Z. Unlocking multi-touch features, you can adjust multiple mixer sliders at once or use the smooth touch pad to adjust effects or filters.

About

Polywave

Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Wavetable sequencer
  • Custom waveform drawing
  • Expansive waveform library
  • 100+ factory presets
  • MIDI and Audio Unit support
  • Live recording module
  • 8-voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

Screenshots

OP4 screens
Polywave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Polywave at 4.7 against OP's 4.2. Polywave also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 47%). OP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OP asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Polywave holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 115 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of OP's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OP ships an update every 6 weeks, Polywave every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
OP versus Polywave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOPPolywave
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (115 ratings)4.7 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.2% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings115 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTeenage EngineeringFingerlab

Customer experience

OP

All ratings115 ratings
Positive80.9%
Neutral1.7%
Negative17.4%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive47.2%
Neutral5.6%
Negative47.2%

Polywave

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%

In-app purchases

None

OP

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Polywave

One-time1
  • Full Version$7.99

Questions

Is OP free?
OP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Polywave free?
Polywave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OP or Polywave?
Polywave is rated higher. OP averages 4.2 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while Polywave averages 4.7 from 34 ratings.
Do OP or Polywave have ads?
Neither OP nor Polywave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OP or Polywave?
OP ships an update every 6 weeks, and Polywave every 4 months. Most recently, OP was updated on September 20, 2026 and Polywave on September 23, 2026.

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