Comparison

Branches vs TB Flowtones

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

Head to head
About

Branches

This semi-modular synthesizer offers a "west coast" style of sound design, inspired by classic synthesizers. It functions as a standalone app with MIDI input or as an AUv3 plugin within a DAW, allowing for complex sound creation and experimentation.

Highlights
  • Semi-modular synthesis engine
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin support
  • West coast style sound processing
  • Duophonic synthesis with dual MIDI channels
  • Generative melody capabilities
  • Waveform fading and wave folding
Read full description

Branches is a semi-modular synthesizer inspired by classics of the past. It runs both as a standalone instrument with support for external MIDI input or as a plugin (AUv3) in your favorite DAW app. Audio from the oscillators are permanently hardwired into the lowpass gates and the default patch is setup to receive MIDI and trigger the lowpass gate for the complex oscillator. This way you can get up and running fast and are then free to experiment with your own patching. Branches is utilizing what is sometimes referred to as a "west coast" style of processing which in this case means timbre is adjusted by adding harmonics to a basic sine wave. One of the oscillators does this by fading between multiple waveforms freely, the other does it by employing a wave folder and blending it with another user selectable waveform. The first one can also modulate either frequency or amplitude of the second. Branches support MIDI input on two channels. This allows you to control each oscillator and low pass gate individually if you please, acting as a duophonic synthesizer. Utilizing the rest of the modules opens up a world of different possibilities - generative random melodies, timbre changing over time, modulation from your host app etc.

About

TB Flowtones

This virtual analog synthesizer app offers a true VA synthesis engine with analog-modeled filters and extensive modulation options. Create warm, analog-sounding music with a powerful architecture, diverse waveforms, and pro-grade effects. It also includes an integrated step sequencer and hundreds of presets.

Highlights
  • True virtual analog synthesis engine
  • Analog-modelled non-linear filters
  • Extensive modulation options
  • Pro-grade studio effects
  • Integrated step sequencer
  • Hundreds of presets and intelligent randomizer
Read full description

TB Flowtones Virtual Analog Synthesizer app and AUv3 plug-in Thanks to it's true VA synthesis engine, the use of analog-modelled non-linear filters and extensive modulation options, Flowtones sounds warmer and more analog than digital romplers and wavetable-based synths. TB Flowtones comes as stand-alone app as well as AUv3 plugin. True virtual analog synthesis features: - 4 VCO architecture (two voice layers with two VCOs each) - 4 synthesis engine types, in part modelled after famous analog synthesisers - 36 analog VCO waveforms featuring all classic waveforms and more - All VCO waveforms support pulse width modulation - Full stereo and mono unison modes for each VCO independently - Noise and subharmonic oscillators for each VCO - Unique ring and self-modulation matrix - High-quality, warm, non-linear filters (VCF) with over 30 filter types, including unique multi-resonance filters Modulation features: - Four LFOs with 30 waveforms each - LFOs can modulate other LFOs, including themselves! - Three additional envelope generators, with key velocity modulation - Quick access to modulation strengths through context menus - Hundreds of modulation signal paths available - LFOs can produce noise as waveform to randomly modulate other parameters; for example to simulate slight variations in analog filter parameters as they happen in analog circuits. Pro-grade effects - Studio-quality reverb, delay, and chorus effects - Unique formant filter to add vocal character - Analog and digital distortion / bit crushing effects - Master equaliser and peak limiter for final touch - Non-linear power supply simulation for authentic interaction between notes Step sequencer - Fully integrated, intuitive step sequencer - Can trigger chords and note series / phrases - Can run asynchronously or synchronously to the host - Smart copy/paste of note series to improve workflow - Smart zoom: edit fine details while keeping an overview over the full sequence Presets and intelligent randomizer - Flowtones comes with hundreds of presets to spark your creativity - Intelligent randomizer to explore endless sound synthesis possibilities What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

Screenshots

TB Flowtones4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TB Flowtones at 4.7 against Branches's 3.9. TB Flowtones also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 44%) and ratings volume (39 vs 12). Branches's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months) and price ($5.99 vs $9.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

Branches costs $5.99 and TB Flowtones $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TB Flowtones holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 39 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Branches's written reviews are positive against 83% of TB Flowtones's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Branches ships an update every 6 days, TB Flowtones every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 7, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Branches versus TB Flowtones: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBranchesTB Flowtones
Price$5.99 — better$9.99
Rating3.9 (12 ratings)4.7 (39 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews82.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1239 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWillow & Oak ABToneBoosters

Customer experience

Branches

All ratings12 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral41.7%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral44.4%
Negative11.1%

TB Flowtones

All ratings39 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral7.7%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive82.9%
Neutral11.4%
Negative5.7%

In-app purchases

None

Branches

No in-app purchases

None

TB Flowtones

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Branches free?
Branches costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TB Flowtones free?
TB Flowtones costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Branches or TB Flowtones?
TB Flowtones is rated higher. Branches averages 3.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while TB Flowtones averages 4.7 from 39 ratings.
Do Branches or TB Flowtones have ads?
Neither Branches nor TB Flowtones shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Branches or TB Flowtones?
Branches ships an update every 6 days, and TB Flowtones every 3 months. Most recently, Branches was updated on June 7, 2026 and TB Flowtones on September 22, 2026.

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