Comparison

Filterstep vs Black Distortion

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

Head to head
About

Filterstep

This app offers a creative motion filter plugin for real-time rhythmic movement. Explore intricate patterns and sonic possibilities with various filter effect settings and randomization. Shape any sound into a unique groove.

Highlights
  • Real-time rhythmic movement
  • Intricate filter effect settings
  • Filter randomization
  • Three filter types
  • Sequencer movement control
  • Infinity mode
Read full description

Filterstep is a creative motion filter plugin which provides all kinds of intricate rhythmic movement to any input in real-time. It can give you incredibly complex and nuanced results based on various filter effect settings, and almost infinite possibilities for sonic exploration through filter randomization. You can choose between three filter types, range, frequency, quantization, sequencer movement and more. Craft interesting patterns, or let it run endlessly using the infinity mode. Add filter motion and shape any sound into a groove.

About

Black Distortion

This audio plugin emulates a classic distortion pedal, offering versatile gain levels from mild overdrive to fuzzy tones. It features a unique filter control to shape high-end frequencies and a volume control for perfect integration with your existing sound. Use it as a primary distortion, a dirty channel for amplifiers, or a boost for solos.

Highlights
  • RAT2 distortion pedal emulation
  • Adjustable gain from overdrive to fuzz
  • Legendary filter control for treble shaping
  • Volume control for clean tone matching
  • Standalone, AudioUnit v3, and Inter-App Audio support
Features
Read full description

The Black Distortion plugin modeled on RAT2* distortion pedal will be your go-to distortion plugin for every recording, whether it’s rock, blues, punk, or jazz. The beauty of the Black Distortion plugin lies in its versatility. Used as a primary distortion, it excels at arena rock rhythm tones and soaring leads. Do you have an amplifier plugin with too much headroom? Let the Black Distortion plugin be your dirty channel. Maybe you already love your amplifier plugin distortion. Use the Black Distortion plugin as a boost for solos and get the extra kick you need. The Black Distortion plugin features the legendary filter control. Turn it to the right to roll off brittle high-end frequencies. Having trouble cutting through the mix? Turn it to the left and allow the natural brightness of your instrument to shine through. Black Distortion plugin dials in the perfect amount of gain, from mild overdrive to full out fuzzy assault, and the volume control lets you dial it in just perfectly against your bypassed clean tone. Legal Disclaimer: *All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Nembrini Audio SRL. These product names, descriptions and images are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Nembrini Audio’s sound design process. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect

Screenshots

Filterstep2 screens
Black Distortion1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Filterstep at every 6 months against Black Distortion's every 61 months. Filterstep also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15). Black Distortion's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Black Distortion holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Filterstep's written reviews are positive against 67% of Black Distortion's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Filterstep ships an update every 6 months, Black Distortion every 61 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Filterstep versus Black Distortion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFilterstepBlack Distortion
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (42 ratings)5.0 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings42 — better24
Update frequencyEvery 6 months — betterEvery 61 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAUDIOMODERNNembrini Audio

Customer experience

Filterstep

All ratings42 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative13.3%

Black Distortion

All ratings24 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Filterstep

No in-app purchases

None

Black Distortion

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Filterstep free?
Filterstep is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Black Distortion free?
Black Distortion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Filterstep or Black Distortion?
Black Distortion is rated higher. Filterstep averages 4.7 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Black Distortion averages 5.0 from 24 ratings.
Do Filterstep or Black Distortion have ads?
Neither Filterstep nor Black Distortion shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Filterstep or Black Distortion?
Filterstep ships an update every 6 months, and Black Distortion every 61 months. Most recently, Filterstep was updated on October 17, 2026 and Black Distortion on October 18, 2026.

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