Comparison

STAELLA vs Decks Network

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

Head to head
About

STAELLA

Create dynamic, real-time music visualizations with customizable effects. Import audio from various sources, record your creations, and share them on social media. Offers advanced control with MIDI integration and keyboard shortcuts.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio-reactive visuals
  • Customizable effects and colors
  • Import music from playlists, mic, or simulation
  • One-touch video recording
  • MIDI device integration
  • Keyboard shortcuts for control
  • Gesture controls
Features
Read full description

Real-time music visualization. 30 Visuals × 78 Shapes — every play, a different piece. ■ Design the visuals from a free combination 4 categories with 30 Visuals and 78 Shapes, Knobs, Text, backgrounds, 10 Screen Effects and 10 Wallpaper Blends. Layer them into anything from a club-style spectrum to an ambient nebula. Visuals and Shapes switch on the beat of the song. On HDR displays, glows and gradients render with brightness beyond SDR. ■ Preset sharing Save the look you made as a preset and share it with a code or a link. ■ Two recording modes for different intents Recording keeps every knob move and Visual switch you make. Export locks the UI so a stable, hands-off render finishes on its own. Before exporting, you can also edit the show along the flow of the song, like in a video editor. Both hide the UI, support up to 4K with HDR export, and can auto-record a full song in Playlist mode. ■ Four audio sources Files (music on device; iOS also imports from the iTunes library) Microphone (low-latency input) Simulation (visuals keep moving with no source) AUv3 (visualize plugin audio) ▸ Time-synced lyrics Songs available in a supported lyric database can display lyrics in time with the music. Song title and artist name too. You can also show lyrics you typed yourself. ▸ External display output (AirPlay / HDMI adapters) Connect a TV or projector via iOS Screen Mirroring (AirPlay) or an HDMI adapter. The visuals go full screen while the UI stays on your device. ■ Play with whatever's in your hand Touch and flick iPad + Magic Keyboard shortcuts MIDI controllers (long-press any knob to assign, BLE MIDI supported) Gamepad (D-pad, buttons, sticks) ■ Where to use it · VJ sets at clubs, live shows and streams · Music videos and lyric videos for social · Screen visuals for a room or a party ■ Notes · DRM-protected tracks (e.g. Apple Music) can't be played. · For issues or requests, reach out via in-app feedback or support. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Decks Network

Features
Read full description

DISCOVER YOUR CITY'S NIGHTLIFE Find events happening tonight filtered by vibe, genre, and city. See which nights are actually building real energy - not just which ones have the best flyer. Save events, track your plans, and RSVP so you never miss the right night again. FOLLOW THE DJS SHAPING YOUR SCENE Decks is built around DJs. Follow rising artists, watch clips from their real sets, and discover events through the lineups that matter to you. From Afrobeats to Amapiano to deep house - follow what is moving in your city and beyond. The more DJs you follow, the more your feed becomes yours. YOUR SCENE, TRACKED Your fan profile surfaces every event you saved, every night you attended, every clip you liked, every DJ you follow, and every community you are part of - all in one place. Nothing gets buried. Your history in the scene builds up over time and lives on your profile. CLIPS THAT SHOW THE REAL ENERGY Watch short clips tied to actual events and real crowds. Not highlight reels - proof. See what a night actually looked like, who was there, and what the energy felt like before you decide to go. Clips are how the scene shows itself. HOST AND MANAGE YOUR EVENTS Create an event page, manage your guest list, handle RSVPs and approvals, and check guests in on the night. Send announcements to everyone who signed up. Built for DJs and promoters who run real nights and want everything in one place. CO-HOST NIGHTS AND BUILD COMMUNITIES TOGETHER Invite other DJs to co-host your events and co-manage your communities. Accepted co-hosts can update the guest list, manage RSVPs, check guests in on the night, and post community updates - not just attend. Real collaboration, not just credit on a flyer. COMMUNITY BROADCASTS THAT REACH YOUR ACTUAL AUDIENCE Build a community around your sound and send email updates directly to your members. When any organizer on a community holds DJ Pro, the whole team can broadcast - shared reach, not locked to one account. Four sends per month with your reset date shown upfront, so you know exactly what you have left. BUILD YOUR DJ PROFILE Create a public profile that reflects your sound, your events, and your momentum. Upload clips, appear on lineups, and grow your presence in the scene over time. Your profile is your proof of work - it gets stronger every time you play. DJ PRO DJ Pro is the premium layer for serious DJs on Decks. It unlocks stronger profile visibility, audience analytics, enhanced discovery presence, and tools built for DJs who are actively growing. When you are ready to take the next step, DJ Pro is built for that. Terms of Use: https://www.thedecksnetwork.com/terms

Screenshots

STAELLA4 screens
Decks Network4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Decks Network at none against STAELLA's shown. STAELLA's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. STAELLA sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Decks Network sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, Decks Network every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
STAELLA versus Decks Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSTAELLADecks Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (1.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.7K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size256 MB40 MB
Age rating4+17+
DevelopermonocroKevin Ojwang

Bugs and requests

STAELLA

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Music playback issues and controls not working
  • Inability to import user's own music files
  • Exported videos have poor quality and audio sync issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for streaming services
  • Improve export and download options
  • Expand customization and control over visuals
  • Implement portrait mode and different aspect ratios
  • Add ability to layer and blend multiple visuals

Decks Network

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

STAELLA

Subscriptions2
  • STAELLA Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • STAELLA Premium$49.991 Year
One-time5
  • Toolkit pro$9.99
  • STELLA$9.99
  • TERRA$9.99
Show 2 more
  • MACHINA$9.99
  • NEX$9.99
1 purchases

Decks Network

Subscriptions1
  • DJ Pro Monthly$6.991 Month

Questions

Is STAELLA free?
STAELLA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Decks Network free?
Decks Network is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do STAELLA or Decks Network have ads?
STAELLA shows ads; Decks Network does not.
Which is updated more often, STAELLA or Decks Network?
STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, and Decks Network every 3 months. Most recently, STAELLA was updated on November 2, 2026 and Decks Network on October 31, 2026.

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