BLEASS Groovebox vs Polywave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BLEASS Groovebox
Create, perform, and compose music with this all-in-one beat studio. Features a multitrack sequencer, synthesizers, and drum machines for intuitive beatmaking and sound design. Optimized for both studio and live performance.
- Multitrack sequencer
- Monophonic & polyphonic synthesizers
- Drum machines
- Sample recording and editing
- Real-time performance controls
- MIDI and Ableton Link support
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BLEASS Groovebox brings music production and performance to its very core: play, perform, compose beats, chords and melodies in a new yet intuitive way thanks to its multitrack sequencer, monophonic & polyphonic synthesizers and drum machines. PROFESSIONAL GRADE INSTRUMENT BLEASS Groovebox has been designed for both iPhone and iPad and offers great performance and stability thanks to its powerful realtime audio engine and fully customizable parameters: go deep in the shaping of electronic sounds without being limited by factory presets. WILD BASSES, BEATS AND SYNTHS Record, import and edit your own samples and make sick beats out of the 16 steps sequencer with customizable filters and grooves, as well as binary and ternary quantization. Customize endlessly your monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers by tweaking the effects, envelopes and LFOs ! BUILT FOR STUDIO AND LIVE PERFORMANCE Unique slider controls, long-press & multi-touch controls make this groovebox a perfect live tool: Record/Edit/Start/Stop/Copy/Paste your patterns as you feel like, build and arrange your songs on the fly, apply reverb or delay effects, and let the music live! COMPATIBLE WITH THE iOS MUSIC STANDARDS BLEASS groovebox supports Ableton Link and Inter-App Audio and also works in complete synergy with all of your studio soft- and hardware gear using MIDI IN/OUT and SYNC OUT features. Manage your project files, audio export, import your own samples thanks to the Apple iOS Files Integration. Load BLEASS groovebox in your favorite host or plug your iPhone or iPad in an external sound card to enjoy virtual and physical multi-track output routing. GENERAL FEATURES : > low-CPU and low-latency iOS-dedicated audio engine > up to 16 steps per bar > up to 8 bars per sequence > separate groove settings per track > binary and ternary time signatures and quantization > live and song modes > tap tempo > metronome > speed control for each sequence ( x 0.5 / x1 / x2 ) > multi-touch solo button for each track > start & stop sequences with single tap and double tap > 2 FX sends > 4 tracks sequencer > optimized workflow for a smooth live/studio experience > notes swapping : easily move a note to a different step > major and minor scales DRUM MACHINE > 6 user-customizable samples per track > sample length, attack, release and pitch settings > low pass and high pass filters > post and pre- drive and bitcrusher settings > velocity settings per step (with random velocity option) > sample import via iCloud or Files MONO SYNTHS > up to 9 virtual-analog synthesizers for each track > 2 oscillators + 1 noise > 1 amplifier envelope > 2 filters with 1 envelope > post and pre- drive and bitcrusher > 2 LFOs > presets loading > pitch envelope CHORDS > on the fly chords performance with scales > up to 4 virtual-analog synthesizers for each track > 2 oscillators + 1 noise > amplifier and pitch envelope > 2 filters with 1 envelope > strumming > bitcrusher > 2 LFOs > presets loading ADVANCED FEATURES > expression panels (pads or keyboard) with beat repeat > on the fly sequence recording with quantization > sample recording > iCloud synchronization > live audio export > Ableton Link & Inter-App Audio compatibility PRO FEATURES You can access all the BLEASS PRO FEATURES by purchasing the full unlock (pay once and own forever). As a PRO user, you gain access to all premium features, all samples and all presets packs, as well as upcoming new features and instruments added continuously: > Access to all samples packs (over 1000 samples). New sample packs added regularly! > Projects files management : load, save, import, export… > MIDI in/out > MIDI LEARN (control changes) > MIDI sync out > Presets saving > MIX panel > FXs parameters customization : reverb, delay, ping pong delay > External Audio Routing > Virtual Audio Routing (open separate BLEASS audio channels into any compatible host) Find tutorials and more about our plugins on www.bleass.com
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.
- Wavetable sequencer
- Custom waveform drawing
- Expansive waveform library
- 100+ factory presets
- MIDI and Audio Unit support
- Live recording module
- 8-voice polyphony
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Polywave at 4.7 against BLEASS Groovebox's 4.3. Polywave also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 64%). BLEASS Groovebox's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. BLEASS Groovebox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Polywave holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of BLEASS Groovebox's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.
BLEASS Groovebox ships an update every 6 weeks, Polywave every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BLEASS Groovebox | Polywave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (38 ratings) | 4.7 (34 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 64.1% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 38 — better | 34 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BLEASS | Fingerlab |
Customer experience
BLEASS Groovebox
Polywave
In-app purchases
BLEASS Groovebox
- Full Unlock$4.99
Polywave
- Full Version$7.99








