Comparison

cykle vs PolyPhase

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

Head to head
About

cykle

This app is a powerful melodic step sequencer that generates complex musical patterns through the interaction of simple elements. It requires connection to a separate MIDI synthesizer app or hardware to produce sound. Offers extensive customization for musical parameters and sequence transformations.

Highlights
  • Semi-generative melodic step sequencer
  • Decoupled sequencer lanes for musical parameters
  • AUv3 MIDI plugin and standalone modes
  • Sample-accurate sequencing engine
  • Pattern snapshots and song mode
  • Extensive sequence transformation actions
  • MIDI clock output and Ableton Link support
Features
Read full description

cykle is an inventive, semi-generative melodic step sequencer for iOS, iPadOS and Mac (Catalyst). cykle abstracts every musical parameter into its own sequence using decoupled sequencer lanes, producing complex and musically engaging patterns from the interactions between simple elements. nb: cykle does not make sound by itself, you will need to connect it to a MIDI-compatible synthesizer app on your device, load it in an AUv3-compatible host (such as Logic Pro, Audiobus or AUM), or connect it to an external synthesizer, computer or any other MIDI-compatible sound generating device. features: - universal app (works on both iPhone and iPad) - works in both portrait and landscape mode - works as an Audio Unit (AUv3) MIDI plugin or as a standalone (CoreMIDI) app - sample-accurate sequencing engine - slick and responsive native UI - pattern snapshots selectable via MIDI input - song mode / pattern chaining - pitch playable by MIDI note input (arp and chord modes) - configurable tempo, scale and key - every channel can be routed to a separate MIDI destination and channel - every channel sends MIDI note- and pitch-bend data as well as an arbitrary number of MIDI continuous control (CC) messages - full AUv3 state- and preset-saving - randomization features - save and load patterns - decoupled sequencer lanes for the following parameters: - pulse - pitch - rest - step length - chance - velocity - accent - gate length - chance - ratchet (note repeat) - accidental (flatten/sharpen) - transpose - chord inversion - octave - harmonize - pitch bend - mappable MIDI CC values (e.g., filter cutoff, resonance, envelope, etc.) sequences can be instantly transformed by the following actions: - shift left/right/up/down - rotate - randomize - mutate - mirror - reverse - double - bisect - configurable clock division rate per sequencer lane - configurable playback mode per sequencer lane (forward, backward, random, jump) - MIDI clock output - Ableton Link support - works without internet connection - no push notifications - no ads or in-app purchases - no third-party behavioural tracking tools - ongoing development and support

About

PolyPhase

Create complex, interwoven melodies and rhythms with a generative sequencer. Control note generation, randomize sequences, and integrate with external MIDI hardware or the included wavetable synthesizer. Save and recall your creations with presets and snapshots.

Highlights
  • Generative melody creation with phase offsets
  • 8 independent sequencers with customizable properties
  • Draw own notes or use intelligent randomization
  • Wavetable synthesizer with FX
  • MIDI output and input support
  • Global Key/Scale filtering and Chord Masks
  • Save/Load presets and Snapshots
Read full description

PolyPhase is a generative sequencer! Melodies on a Master Track are created on the fly & copied, with phase offsets, to Follower Tracks. This structure, along with the interplay of various probabilities, leads to interwoven melodies and rhythms. You can disable the generation of notes & draw your own, or select some of the randomization functions Send MIDI to external hardware, other iOS instruments, or use the included wavetable synthesizer! - 8 independent Sequencers with their own rate, direction, transposition & other properties - Disable the generation of notes to draw your own, or use some of the intelligent functions provided - Random Euclid & Drum Sequences - The Wavetable Synth + FX lets you use PolyPhase even if you don't own any external Instruments - Filter notes to a Global Key / Scale and toggle Chord Masks - Save / Load Presets - Snapshots for install recall of your Sequences - Intelligently Randomize and Morph your Sequences & Synth sounds - Accepts external MIDI clock & can provide clock to other devices - Audiobus (Audio / State) & Inter-App Audio support - Link Support

Screenshots

cykle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PolyPhase at none against cykle's 2. PolyPhase also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). cykle's advantage is price ($12.99 vs $19.99) and device support (3 vs 1). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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

cykle costs $12.99 and PolyPhase $19.99 up front. cykle sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. PolyPhase asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for cykle against 4.6 for PolyPhase. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 34 and 26 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of cykle's written reviews are positive against 76% of PolyPhase's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

cykle ships an update monthly, PolyPhase every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
cykle versus PolyPhase: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametercyklePolyPhase
Price$12.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (34 ratings) — better4.6 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better76.2% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better26
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCorne DriesprongMarcos Kohler

Customer experience

cykle

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative15.0%

PolyPhase

All ratings26 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive76.2%
Neutral14.3%
Negative9.5%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

cykle

One-time2
  • Small tip$1.99
  • Big tip$5.99
None

PolyPhase

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is cykle free?
cykle costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PolyPhase free?
PolyPhase costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, cykle or PolyPhase?
cykle is rated higher. cykle averages 4.7 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while PolyPhase averages 4.6 from 26 ratings.
Do cykle or PolyPhase have ads?
Neither cykle nor PolyPhase shows ads.
Which is updated more often, cykle or PolyPhase?
cykle ships an update monthly, and PolyPhase every 3 weeks. Most recently, cykle was updated on September 25, 2026 and PolyPhase on June 8, 2026.

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