Comparison

Spectiv vs subflow

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

Head to head
About

Spectiv

Discover a library of beautiful, ambient videos designed to create a relaxing atmosphere or enhance focus. Transform your screen into a window to stunning natural landscapes or a gallery of classic art. Enjoy an ad-free, no-commitment streaming experience.

Highlights
  • Ambient video library
  • Ultra High Definition content
  • HDR support
  • Spectiv Art Gallery
  • Ad-free experience
  • 14-day free trial
Features
Read full description

Spectiv is the streaming service you and your screens have both been waiting for. Access a library of beautiful videos to help curate a more relaxing atmosphere. Spectiv's ambient entertainment is designed for you to use any way you want. Experience gorgeous Ultra High Definition content providing an ambient entertainment experience designed to help you unplug from what's going on or focus on the things you want to do. Use it however works best for you. Get lost in the transportive imagery or simply let it improve the ambiance of the room while you cook, host a party, or finally read that book. Transform your screen into a window to the world and explore Swiss mountaintops with your family, find some solitude on Hawaiian beaches, meditate by the forest stream, and beyond; all while promoting presence and peace for your heart and mind. HDR: Many of our shows are mastered in stunning High Dynamic Range offer the best way to show off your phone's OLED display. You will feel like you could reach out and grab the leaves off the trees. Spectiv Art Gallery: In addition to Spectiv's original content your will also have access to the Spectiv Art Gallery. Instead of a window, make your screen a museum and enjoy videos featuring high resolution scans of classic works of art. No Commitment & Ad-Free: Sign up for one of our monthly plans and start your 14 Day Free Trial to gain access to the entire library of relaxing content. If subscribing through iTunes: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of your selected plan. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://spectiv.tv/termsofuse

About

subflow

Create dynamic music visualizations for any setting. Control modes, speed, and beat patterns with intuitive screen gestures. Advanced users can leverage UDP and OS2L for complex control with DJ software.

Highlights
  • Gesture-based control for modes, speed, and beats
  • Beat pattern customization
  • UDP command sequencing
  • OS2L integration with DJ software
  • Color customization via long press
Features
Read full description

Crisp visualizations for your music stage or living room. Tap left or right edge of screen to change modes. Vertical swipes change speed. Tap the upper half of the screen several times to set a beat pattern. Tap the lower half to cancel or to add single beats. Horizontal swipes fine-tune the beat alignment. Long press will change color. You can also send more complex command sequences over UDP, and you can control via OS2L using most DJ software. See http://subflow.org/

Screenshots

Spectiv4 screens
subflow2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: subflow at none against Spectiv's 2. subflow also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 months). Spectiv's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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

Both are free to download. Spectiv sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. subflow asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spectiv holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 17 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of Spectiv's written reviews are positive against 67% of subflow's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spectiv ships an update every 4 months, subflow every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Spectiv versus subflow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpectivsubflow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (24 ratings) — better4.3 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB3 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSpectiv Inc.Ello Skelling Productions

Customer experience

Spectiv

All ratings24 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

subflow

All ratings17 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Spectiv

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Monthly - HD14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly - 4K HDR14 Days trial$5.991 Month
None

subflow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spectiv free?
Spectiv is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is subflow free?
subflow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spectiv or subflow?
Spectiv is rated higher. Spectiv averages 4.5 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while subflow averages 4.3 from 17 ratings.
Do Spectiv or subflow have ads?
Neither Spectiv nor subflow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spectiv or subflow?
Spectiv ships an update every 4 months, and subflow every 6 days. Most recently, Spectiv was updated on October 11, 2026 and subflow on September 9, 2026.

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