Comparison

cykle vs mLFO

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

mLFO

This app provides 16 programmable MIDI LFOs with extensive features for music production. It offers multiple parameters per LFO, independent output, and a wide rate range. It can be used as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin within compatible host applications.

Highlights
  • 16 programmable MIDI LFOs
  • Multiple parameters per LFO
  • Independent output and MIDI channel
  • Wide rate range
  • Custom shape creation (free and ADSR)
  • 4 trigger modes including random retrigger
Features
Read full description

*** Note *** Although mLFO can run as a stand-alone app, the recommended way to use it is as an AUv3 plugin from inside a suitable AU Host app, such as AUM, AudioBus, Cubasis etc. mLFO AUv3 is a set of 16 programmable MIDI LFOs with a extensive set of features: - Multiple parameters per LFO, including variability. - Independent output and MIDI channel per LFO. - Wide rate range, from 1/128 to 130442 beats. - 9 factory and 16 user shapes. - Custom shapes: free and ADSR. - 4 trigger modes, including random retrigger (every incoming note triggers a random LFO). - MIDI Thru. mLFO uses parts of the following copyrighted material, the use of which is hereby acknowledged. LICENCES AudioKit The MIT License (MIT) Copyright (c) 2016 Aurelius Prochazka Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

Screenshots

cykle4 screens
mLFO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: mLFO at none against cykle's 2. mLFO also leads on price ($5.99 vs $12.99). cykle's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 mLFO $5.99 up front. cykle sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. mLFO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

cykle holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 34 and 20 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 80% and 80% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

cykle ships an update monthly, mLFO every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
cykle versus mLFO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametercyklemLFO
Price$12.99$5.99 — better
Rating4.7 (34 ratings) — better4.5 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better20
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCorne DriesprongAxart Labs OU

Customer experience

cykle

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

mLFO

All ratings20 ratings
Positive85.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

cykle

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

mLFO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is cykle free?
cykle costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is mLFO free?
mLFO costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, cykle or mLFO?
cykle is rated higher. cykle averages 4.7 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while mLFO averages 4.5 from 20 ratings.
Do cykle or mLFO have ads?
Neither cykle nor mLFO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, cykle or mLFO?
cykle ships an update monthly, and mLFO every 6 weeks. Most recently, cykle was updated on September 23, 2026 and mLFO on September 8, 2026.

Other comparisons