Comparison

Hypertron vs Polywave

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

Head to head
About

Hypertron

Create music on the go with this powerful groovebox. It offers a simple interface for flexible music production, allowing you to trigger pads, tweak effects, arrange samples, and even generate new sounds with AI. Unlock advanced features for a complete production experience.

Highlights
  • AUv3 support
  • Live pad triggering
  • Sample editing and arrangement
  • AI sample generation
  • Built-in synthesizer
  • Multi-track export
  • Ableton Link sync
Features
Read full description

Hypertron is a groovebox for iPhone and iPad that combines simple design with powerful tools for flexible music production on the go. SEQUENCER - Create patterns and store them in sequences, takes and groups - Each pad can have an individual bar length of up to 64 bars - Last Step function for each pad, enabling polyrhythms ( with Performance Mode setting ) - Duplicate takes and groups with drag & drop - Switch between 16th and 32nd notes using Split-Step swipe gesture - Play and record melodies with the virtual keyboard and arpeggiator - Get creative with an innovative note repeat slider - Set custom group lengths, measured in bars or steps - Adjust global swing and set the swing amount for each pad - Customize pads, takes and groups with colors and rearrange them using drag & drop - Auto-toggle loops at bar end - Trigger pads in LIVE mode SAMPLER - Record samples using your microphone or USB interface - Generate samples with AI using multiple models to choose from (requires account registration) - Adjust start/end positions and add fade-in and fade-out to your samples - PRO: Slice samples with multi-slice sampling and autoslicing - PRO: Edit samples in the Sample Editor with multiple tools (duplicate, trim, remove, silence, reverse, normalize, pitch, timestretch, volume) - PRO: Import samples (WAV, MP3, MP4, M4A) - PRO: Export samples (WAV) EFFECTS - Add multiple effects to each pad: lowpass, highpass, reverb - PRO effects: bitcrusher, compressor, delay, distortion, phaser, tape, repeater, tremolo, pitch, timestretch, randomizer - PRO: Access additional effect settings - Automate effects with swipe gestures or fine-tune them in the editor - Select and adjust effects on pads using swipe gestures in EFFECTS mode MIXER - Adjust levels and effects in the mixer - PRO: Route outputs to busses and add effects to these busses - Select channel outputs in the Mixer with support for multichannel USB interfaces - Send MIDI OUT separately for each channel - Save your FX selection as default in the Mixer SYNTHESIZER - A simple, yet effective monophonic synthesizer: two oscillators and one LFO, controlling frequency and filter separately - Sync the synthesizer oscillators from 32 bars down to 1/32 notes - PRO: Adjust the synthesizer’s suboscillator, delay, glide parameter and bandpass filter CONNECTIVITY - Sync to other devices with Ableton Link - Connect external MIDI keyboards via USB or Bluetooth - AUv3 with resizable interface and multichannel support (via In-App Purchase) REALTIME EXPORT - Export your project (WAV, M4A) - PRO: Export every individual track of your project (WAV) - PRO: Export individual files as ZIP - PRO: Export masterbus as M4A AVAILABLE RESOURCES - All devices: 16 takes and 16 groups - Standalone on iPhone: 6 tracks - Standalone on iPhone X and newer: 12 tracks - Standalone on iPad: 16 tracks - AUv3: 12 tracks Requires iPhone 8 or higher.
Requires iPad 5th Gen or higher. HYPERTRON is free to use with unlimited playtime and the ability to record as many samples as you want. For more amazing features, go PRO and unlock the full potential of HYPERTRON across all devices with a one-time purchase inside the app.

About

Polywave

Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Wavetable sequencer
  • Custom waveform drawing
  • Expansive waveform library
  • 100+ factory presets
  • MIDI and Audio Unit support
  • Live recording module
  • 8-voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

Screenshots

Hypertron4 screens
Polywave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Polywave at 80% against Hypertron's 53%. Polywave also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Hypertron's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (159 vs 34). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Hypertron sells 14 one-off in-app purchases and Polywave 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

Polywave holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 159 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Hypertron's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hypertron ships an update monthly, Polywave every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 6, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hypertron versus Polywave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHypertronPolywave
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (159 ratings)4.7 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings159 — better34
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHypertron AudioFingerlab

Customer experience

Hypertron

All ratings159 ratings
Positive83.6%
Neutral3.1%
Negative13.2%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative35.6%

Polywave

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Hypertron

One-time14
  • Bassdrums$0.99
  • E-Piano$0.99
  • Eight Zero Eight$2.99
Show 11 more
  • LOFI$2.99
  • English$2.99
  • AUV3$2.99
  • Hollow Earth$4.99
  • E-Drums$4.99
  • Andres Kit$4.99
  • Ultimate Drums$4.99
  • Old School$4.99
  • PRO$4.99
  • Premium Pack 1$4.99
  • COMPLETE BUNDLE$9.99
1 purchases

Polywave

One-time1
  • Full Version$7.99

Questions

Is Hypertron free?
Hypertron is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Polywave free?
Polywave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hypertron or Polywave?
Polywave is rated higher. Hypertron averages 4.4 out of 5 from 159 ratings, while Polywave averages 4.7 from 34 ratings.
Do Hypertron or Polywave have ads?
Neither Hypertron nor Polywave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hypertron or Polywave?
Hypertron ships an update monthly, and Polywave every 3 months. Most recently, Hypertron was updated on October 6, 2026 and Polywave on October 6, 2026.

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