Comparison

StepPolyArp vs AU3FX

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

Head to head
About

StepPolyArp

This app functions as a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and sequencer. It can generate melodic patterns from input or operate as a standalone sequencer. Save and sync unlimited presets with iCloud, featuring extensive customization for patterns and step controllers.

Highlights
  • Standalone app and AUv3 MIDI effect plugin
  • Arpeggiator and step sequencer modes
  • Programmable step matrix with transposition lines
  • Polyrhythmic step controllers
  • Internal sound bank
  • Ableton Link and MIDI sync support
  • Unlimited preset saving with iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

"StepPolyArp" is a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and step sequencer. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in. The application and the plug-in can operate as a step arpeggiator, automatically generating melodic patterns from played notes or chords, or as a step sequencer that does not require MIDI input to play. Unlimited presets can be saved locally and synchronized with iCloud. Each preset contains 16 patterns, 5 customizable polyrhythmic step controllers, and a 32-step event matrix with 11 polyphonic and polyrhythmic lines driving the arpeggiator engine. The application supports full internal and external MIDI connections for input and output, Ableton Link synchronization, and MIDI clock synchronization. An internal sound bank is included. The AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in supports multiple instances. A compatible host is required to run the plug-in. The host must support the Audio Unit v3 (AUv3) MIDI effect format. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on iOS: Logic Pro, Cubasis, Beatmaker, AUM, Audiobus, NanoStudio, Auria Pro, apeMatrix. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on macOS: Logic Pro 10.7 or later. Features: • Standalone application and AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in • Arpeggiator and step sequencer mode • 1 to 32-step programmable matrix • 11 configurable transposition lines • Polyrhythmic lines and clock dividers per line • Mute by line • Gate, velocity, probability, random pitch, random gate, and random velocity per event • 16 patterns by preset • Automatic pattern chaining • 8-octave resizable keyboard • Multitasking support • Stop "Audio Background" automatically after inactivity (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, or never) • Sample-accurate timing • Internal sound bank • Tap tempo • Receiving MIDI from external MIDI sources • Receiving external MIDI sync (MIDI clock) • Ableton Link support • Internal routing of inputs, outputs, and MIDI sync • Send MIDI to a virtual port usable as MIDI input by other "Core MIDI" compatible apps • Default velocity, modulation, pan, volume, aftertouch, and pitch bend step controllers • Customizable MIDI setup for step controllers • Arpeggiator and sequencer can conform to the selected scale • Predefined scales and possibility to create custom scales • 6 arpeggiator modes • 1 random mode • 1 chord mode • Randomization panel for generating random patterns with a large number of parameters to control the result • Preset manager with support for in-app purchase packs • "Program Change" support • Preset sharing via "AirDrop", "Mail", "Messages", and other supported services • Native iCloud support • "iCloud Drive" support in the "Files" app on iOS and "Finder" on macOS • Full support of "Windowed Apps" mode on iPad • Undo/Redo • Lockable keyboard (latch mode) Supported MIDI connections: • Virtual "Core MIDI" connections between applications • Any compatible MIDI interface • MIDI over Wi-Fi • MIDI over Bluetooth • Ableton Link (sync and transport)

About

AU3FX

A powerful 4-band parametric stereo equalizer AUv3 plugin for iOS. It offers detailed frequency control, real-time spectrum analysis, and customizable presets for subtle enhancements or aggressive sound shaping. Load it within compatible music apps to enhance your audio.

Highlights
  • 4-band parametric stereo equalizer
  • High quality 32-bit DSP engine
  • Interactive frequency response curve
  • Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer
  • Bundled presets and user preset saving
  • Multiple instances and external control
Features
Read full description

A versatile 4-band parametric stereo equalizer AUv3 plugin for everything between subtle frequency enhancements to agressive boosting/cutting or special resonator effects. This app is part of the AU3FX series, a collection of simple and powerful audio unit effect plugins. • High quality 32-bit DSP engine. • Two parametric peak filters with gain, frequency and Q. • Low-shelf filter with gain and frequency. • High-shelf filter with gain and frequency. • On/Off toggle for each band. • Interactive frequency response curve with draggable handles. • Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer with pre/post/off switch. • Comes with several bundled presets. • Use multiple instances at the same time. • Save/load session state in host. • External access and control of all parameters from host. • User presets shared across hosts (on iOS 13 and later). The container app shows the Users Guide. Load the AU3FX:PeakQ inside any music app that supports hosting Audio Unit Extensions to use the plugin.

Screenshots

StepPolyArp3 screens
AU3FX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AU3FX at $4.99 against StepPolyArp's $19.99. AU3FX also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (100% vs 87%). StepPolyArp's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and ratings volume (48 vs 10). On ads, monetization model and device support 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

StepPolyArp costs $19.99 and AU3FX $4.99 up front. StepPolyArp sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. AU3FX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StepPolyArp holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 87% of StepPolyArp's written reviews are positive against 100% of AU3FX's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
StepPolyArp versus AU3FX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepPolyArpAU3FX
Price$19.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.8 (48 ratings) — better4.6 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews87.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings48 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLaurent ColsonKymatica AB

Customer experience

StepPolyArp

All ratings48 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive87.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative6.5%

AU3FX

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

StepPolyArp

One-time2
  • Dance Horizons$4.99
  • Analog Sequence$4.99
None

AU3FX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StepPolyArp free?
StepPolyArp costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is AU3FX free?
AU3FX costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StepPolyArp or AU3FX?
StepPolyArp is rated higher. StepPolyArp averages 4.8 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while AU3FX averages 4.6 from 10 ratings.
Do StepPolyArp or AU3FX have ads?
Neither StepPolyArp nor AU3FX shows ads.

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