# Branches vs Open

The clearest difference is price: Open at Free against Branches's $5.99. Open also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). Branches's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Open is free to download; Branches costs $5.99 up front. Open sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Branches asks for nothing beyond the download.

Branches ships an update every 6 days, Open every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Branches | Open |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[3.9 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-semi-modular-synth/id1520212093/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **12** | — |
| Positive reviews | 36.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 3 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPad, Mac | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Willow & Oak AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/314685948) | [michael Hix](https://appshunter.io/developer/6793281843) |

## What reviewers say

### Branches

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-semi-modular-synth/id1520212093)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Open

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openshape/id6793281841)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Open—Shape Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Branches free?

Branches costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Open free?

Open is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Branches or Open have ads?

Neither Branches nor Open shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Branches or Open?

Branches ships an update every 6 days, and Open every 3 weeks. Most recently, Branches was updated on October 24, 2026 and Open on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*