Comparison

Shapical X vs DU

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

Head to head
About

Shapical X

This advanced photo editor allows you to add stunning graphics and artistic effects to your images. Transform your ideas into brilliant masterpieces with intuitive tools and a vast library of free photos.

Highlights
  • Layer-based editing
  • Six artistic object fill types
  • Split color distortion and pixelization effects
  • Classic color adjustments including Curves
  • Integrated Unsplash photo library
  • Drag & Drop editing support
Read full description

Shapical X is an advanced yet easy to use photo editor that lets you add stunning graphics to photos and create brilliant and engaging artistic masterpieces. Shapical X allows you to turn the ideas in your head into amazing artworks right from your iPhone, without the price tag of complicated software and having to spend time mastering to use it. Unleash your creativity and start creating extraordinary images. Layers • Keep track of every object they add to the project. • Quickly access and change settings of object effects. • Edit layer masks or remove objects completely. • Support Drag & Drop editing. Object Fills • Try all of the six types of carefully curated artistic effects: Color, Neon, Noise, Mirror, Gradient, Gradient X. • Gradient X is the state-of-the-art tool with complex dynamic gradients. Effects & Adjustments • Enhance your artworks with split color distortion, pixelization, and many other amazing effects, • Apply classic color adjustment tools, including Curves. Unsplash Photo Library • Shapical X comes with unlimited access to the rich collection of free beautiful high-resolution photos.

About

DU

Transform videos into extreme digital art with 37 unique filters. This experimental app allows you to digitally mangle and twist footage, creating unique visual effects. Save any frame as a still image or export the entire glitched-out video.

Highlights
  • 37 exclusive video filters
  • Apply filters in infinite combinations
  • Arrange video effects stack manually
  • Blend glitched video with original
  • Randomize filters for unique chaos
  • Save affected video frames as stills
Features
Read full description

:: DESTROY MOTION GRAPHICS ::: Transform any video into extreme digital art. Play on the intoxicating fringes of glitch video with 37 exclusive video filters. Be creative. Push the boundaries. Legendary music label Detroit Underground presents a totally new tool by the creator of DECIM8, designed to digitally mangle and twist your videos. DU-VFX is an experimental app for experimental people. The line-crossers, the button-pushers, the ones who don’t fit into basic boxes. Load up any video from your camera roll. Tap the randomize effects button. Find a VFX filter combination that makes your content POP - or explode into digital fragments of its former self. Scan through the frames of your video and export any affected frame as a still image. Activate and arrange the effects stack manually or rely completely on the nature of chaos - the choice is yours. • Load any video from your camera roll as source material • Apply 37 insane video filters in infinite combinations • Arrange and activate a video effects stack manually • Blend the glitched-out version with the original in 22 blend modes • Randomize filters for unique chaos • Optionally, parameters can drift and change over time • Save any effected video frame as a still image WARNING! THIS APP IS CAPABLE OF COMPLETELY DESTROYING A VIDEO. (You keep the original, of course!) If this doesn't appeal to you, there are LOTS of apps out there to provide all the "safe" effects you could ever want. If you're looking for something more, something new and unpredictable.. capable of making art that's challenging yet beautiful, then you are in the right place. Note : Currently video rendering must happen while the app is in the foreground. iOS may kill the app if backgrounded during render. We're looking into the best way around this.

Screenshots

Shapical X4 screens
DU4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DU at 4.5 against Shapical X's 3.3. DU also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 52%). Shapical X's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.6). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Shapical X sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and DU sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DU holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 33 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Shapical X's written reviews are positive against 71% of DU's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shapical X ships an update fortnightly, DU every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Shapical X versus DU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShapical XDU
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (12 ratings)4.5 (33 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.0% of reviews70.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1233 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB17 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperVasiliy KaliteevskiyKris Collins

Customer experience

Shapical X

All ratings12 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral24.0%
Negative24.0%

DU

All ratings32 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral9.4%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive70.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative23.5%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Shapical X

One-time10
  • Color brushFree
  • Custom graphics$0.99
  • Extra slots$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Save in Full HD$0.99
  • Unlock everything GREK$0.99
  • Unlock everything KOMISSAR$0.99
  • Unlock everything RAIN$0.99
  • Smudge modes$1.99
  • Gradient X$2.99
  • Unlock everything$5.99
1 purchases

DU

One-time1
  • Still Image Export$0.99

Questions

Is Shapical X free?
Shapical X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DU free?
DU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shapical X or DU?
DU is rated higher. Shapical X averages 3.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while DU averages 4.5 from 33 ratings.
Do Shapical X or DU have ads?
Neither Shapical X nor DU shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shapical X or DU?
Shapical X ships an update fortnightly, and DU every 4 months. Most recently, Shapical X was updated on November 2, 2026 and DU on November 3, 2026.

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