Comparison

Branches vs LoopMangler

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

LoopMangler

This app is a powerful tool for creating unique glitchy and noisy textures by manipulating rhythmic samples or external audio. It offers advanced sound design capabilities with multi-effect sequencing, random pattern generation, and real-time processing.

Highlights
  • Multi-effect sequencing
  • Random pattern generation
  • Envelope modulation
  • Live pads for performance
  • Real-time audio processing
  • Flexible integration with other apps
Features
Read full description

LoopMangler is an innovative multi-effect glitch sequencer designed to manipulate rhythmic samples, external input, or output from other applications. This powerful tool operates based on the effect sequence patterns, allowing you to transform ordinary loops into unusual glitchy and noisy textures. Key Features: Advanced Sound Design: With its well-designed user interface and creative features, LoopMangler provides an exciting playground for sonic exploration and sound design. Random Pattern Generation: Make patterns and individual bars randomly or according to specific rules, offering a quick start or a source of inspiration for your projects. Multi-Effect Sequencing: Assign up to six distortion and filter effects to each step of the sequencer, providing endless possibilities for sound manipulation. Envelope Modulation: Each effect is modulated with its own envelope generator, ensuring that every step is unique and dynamic. Intuitive Editor: The user-friendly editor allows you to easily copy, move, and delete individual cells and bars within the sequencer, making pattern creation a breeze. Live Pads: Assign presets and loops to on-screen pads and use special pads to dynamically alter sound patterns during live performances or studio sessions. Real-Time Processing: Process audio in real-time, allowing you to hear the effects of your adjustments immediately. Flexible Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other audio applications, making it a versatile addition to your music production toolkit. Whether you’re looking to add subtle textures or completely transform your audio, LoopMangler provides the tools you need to achieve your sonic vision. LoopMangler is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). LoopMangler works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, and supports Audiobus and Ableton Link. On MacOS, LoopMangler can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. LoopMangler has a built-in detailed description of all parameters also available as PDF file on the application site. Quick start demo: https://youtu.be/EFGw4wDtbzo https://youtu.be/ki3WsK1_4gg You can find more information on LoopMangler and other creative audio apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com

Screenshots

LoopMangler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LoopMangler at 5.0 against Branches's 3.9. LoopMangler also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 36%) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 18.6). Branches's advantage is price ($5.99 vs $14.99) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On ratings volume, 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

Branches costs $5.99 and LoopMangler $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LoopMangler holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Branches's written reviews are positive against 50% of LoopMangler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Branches ships an update every 6 days, LoopMangler every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Branches versus LoopMangler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBranchesLoopMangler
Price$5.99 — better$14.99
Rating3.9 (12 ratings)5.0 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.4% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.613.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWillow & Oak ABIgor Vasiliev

Customer experience

Branches

All ratings12 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral41.7%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral45.5%
Negative18.2%

LoopMangler

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Branches

No in-app purchases

None

LoopMangler

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Branches free?
Branches costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is LoopMangler free?
LoopMangler costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Branches or LoopMangler?
LoopMangler is rated higher. Branches averages 3.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while LoopMangler averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.
Do Branches or LoopMangler have ads?
Neither Branches nor LoopMangler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Branches or LoopMangler?
Branches ships an update every 6 days, and LoopMangler every 3 weeks. Most recently, Branches was updated on October 2, 2026 and LoopMangler on October 9, 2026.

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