apeMatrix vs Popsicle FX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
apeMatrix
This app acts as a powerful host for audio plugins, allowing users to connect and automate various aspects of music creation. It facilitates the integration of favorite FX, MIDI routing, and control over built-in and external plugin parameters.
- Audio Unit and Inter-App Audio support
- MIDI and audio routing
- Control Manager for parameter modulation
- Multiple Matrix grids for plugin hosting
- MIDI Patch-bay for routing
- High-quality audio processing
Read full descriptionHide full description
Holding true to the standard of apeSoft, apeMatrix continues to push the limits of possibilities in music creation. Automating almost every aspect of linked control, apeMatrix brings all your creation tools together and links them both in MIDI and audio. Letting you inject all your favorite FX both AU and IAA in a very easy and intuitive way. apeMatrix can also assign its Control Manager MIDI, Accelerometer, Scrub and LFO’s to modulate every built-in parameter and any parameter available inside the AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugins). apeMatrix offers 10 slots on each of the three Matrix grids with 2 bus slots on each grid that make it possible to interconnect all 3 Matrix. The MIDI Patch-bay also offers endless possibilities for MIDI routing and control in a similar grid design for both internal and external MIDI control. So you can send and receive MIDI and have ultimate control over where it’s routed. Each Audio Connection on the grid has its own gain control. Just tap on the node and drag will give you the full range of volume control. Or use Mixer to controls the RAU output and automate them using apeSoft’s unique Control Manager MIDI, Accelerometer, Scrub and LFO’s to modulate every built-in parameter and any parameter available inside the AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugins). Turn each slot on or off by a control switch on the Matrix or MIDI control. Control output, pan, mute and solo of each slot and Master output of each Matrix with the built in mixer control or MIDI control. Route your sounds through all a series of FX or route multiple sounds through the very some FX. The possibilities are as endless as your creativity. FEATURES High quality audio up to 32-bit 96kHz Supports Audio Unit extensions, Inter-App Audio Supports multi-channel inputs/outputs audio interfaces Supports Audio Unit Multi-bus input/output (side-chaining) 3 Matrix Audio 3 MIDI Matrix 10 Open Slots per Matrix (hosts up to 30 plugins) 2 Audio Bus Slots per Matrix 2 MIDI Bus Slots per Matrix MIDI Monitor Multi-Channel Audio Route AudioUnit Audio Send Receive Buses MIDI Scale Filtering, Transpose etc… Control Manager (MIDI, Accelerometer, LFO, Scrub) for all Built-In Parameters Control Manager (MIDI, Accelerometer, LFO, Scrub) for all AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugins) Presets Manager and Morphing Pad Save Custom AUv3 Presets Session Saving/Load Save/Load View’s Frame in Presets Transport to sends host sync to Audio Unit plugins and IAA Integrated and configurable MIDI keyboard with scales Connections output and panning controls Post Dynamic Processor Audiobus and Inter-Audio App (Sender and Fx) Audiobus state saving Ableton Link Precise MIDI Clock In/Out AudioShare Compatible AudioCopy Compatible MIDI Manager: Virtual Midi and Network, 14 bit NRPN controllers File Manager, sharing common audio files via iTunes, Dropbox and AudioCopy etc… Variable Sampling Rate (up to 96 kHz) Variable Buffering Size Variable UI Color Schemes BUILT-IN AUv3 (compatibles with other audio hosts) Configurable Sampler with scrub, playable via MIDI V-Meters Oscilloscope/Spectralscope Sender/Receiver (up to 16 buses) Send MIDI messages with LFO Gain/Pan
Popsicle FX
This app offers a dual multi-effects processor with 24 distinct audio effects. It allows for flexible routing of effects in series, parallel, or stereo channels, and features an XY pad for dynamic parameter control. An advanced mode provides a mod-matrix, LFO, and Envelope Follower for complex sound design.
- 2 independent stereo effects engines
- 24 effect algorithms
- Series, parallel, and stereo channel routing
- Recordable XY Pad for parameter control
- Advanced mod-matrix with LFO and Envelope Follower
- AUv3 and standalone support
Read full descriptionHide full description
Popsicle is a Multi Effects Processor built around 2 independent stereo effects engines each having access to a total of 24 different effect algorithms. Effect engines can be used in series or parallel configuration or split between stereo channels where one is affecting the left channel while the other one is affecting the right channel respectively. Popsicle features a powerful XY Pad capable of controlling one or more fx parameters per axis. XY motion can be recorded and played back in sync with the host tempo allowing for highly dynamic effects. In addition, a advanced mode unlocks a fully featured mod-matrix with an additional LFO and Envelope Follower allowing for even more dynamic effect combinations and performances. Included Effects: - Lowpass Filter - Highpass Filter - Bandpass Filter - Morphing Filter - Formant Filter - Comb Filter - Echo - BPM Delay - Short Delay - Reverse Delay - Stutter - Chorus - Flanger - Phaser - Tremolo - Auto Pan - Vibrato - Bitcrush - Distortion - Fuzz - Pitch Shift - Plate Verb - Hall Verb - Mod Verb Supports: - Standalone - AUv3
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Popsicle FX at weekly against apeMatrix's monthly. Popsicle FX also leads on price ($12.99 vs $14.99) and iOS requirement (11.4 vs 17.0). apeMatrix's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On review sentiment, 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
apeMatrix costs $14.99 and Popsicle FX $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
apeMatrix holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 37 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of apeMatrix's written reviews are positive against 69% of Popsicle FX's.
apeMatrix ships an update monthly, Popsicle FX weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | apeMatrix | Popsicle FX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $12.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (84 ratings) — better | 4.5 (37 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews — better | 68.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 84 — better | 37 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 11.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Kai Aras |
Customer experience
apeMatrix
Popsicle FX
In-app purchases
apeMatrix
No in-app purchases
Popsicle FX
No in-app purchases









