Comparison

STAELLA vs Groove Scope

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

Groove Scope

Features
Read full description

Groove Scope helps you assess your turntable setup using test-record signals and an external audio interface. Follow guided measurements, inspect live signal levels and spectrum, and compare results as you adjust your setup. Basic includes a guided 1 kHz azimuth quick check. Groove Scope Pro is available as a one-time in-app purchase and unlocks complete 1 kHz analysis, rotation fingerprints, comparisons, saved measurement sessions and PDF reports. AUDIO INTERFACE REQUIRED The built-in microphone is used only for an optional 1 kHz test-tone check. Turntable measurements require a suitable test record and an external audio interface; the built-in microphone does not replace this interface. iOS microphone/audio-input permission is also required to capture the connected interface signal. Groove Scope is designed to work with any class-compliant USB audio interface that provides two simultaneous input channels to your iPhone or iPad. Our tested and approved interfaces include the Audient EVO 4 and ART USB PhonoPlus V.2. No proprietary audio driver is required. Connect the interface’s line inputs to the REC OUT or PREAMP OUT of your integrated amplifier or preamplifier, using cables and connectors that match your equipment. Select line input mode where applicable. Some interfaces require external power, a powered USB hub or a compatible adapter. Our approved Audient EVO 4 and ART USB PhonoPlus V.2 support direct USB connection without a separate power supply when the connected iPhone or iPad supplies sufficient power. Power and adapter requirements depend on the host device and interface. Results depend on the test record, audio signal chain and measurement conditions.

Screenshots

STAELLA4 screens
Groove Scope4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Groove Scope at none against STAELLA's shown. Groove Scope also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). STAELLA's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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 Groove Scope sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, Groove Scope every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
STAELLA versus Groove Scope: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSTAELLAGroove Scope
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (1.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.7K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size256 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DevelopermonocroDirect Sound Records Ltd

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

Groove Scope

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

Groove Scope

One-time1
  • Groove Scope Pro$59.99

Questions

Is STAELLA free?
STAELLA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Groove Scope free?
Groove Scope is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do STAELLA or Groove Scope have ads?
STAELLA shows ads; Groove Scope does not.
Which is updated more often, STAELLA or Groove Scope?
STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, and Groove Scope every 3 weeks. Most recently, STAELLA was updated on November 6, 2026 and Groove Scope on October 31, 2026.

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