KodeLife vs Relic Waves
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
KodeLife
This app provides real-time GPU shader editing and graphics prototyping. It allows for live-coding of visual effects and supports various input devices for driving visuals. Projects can be easily exchanged across different platforms.
- Real-time GPU shader editing
- Live-coding for visual effects
- Graphics prototyping sketchpad
- Supports audio input and MIDI
- Cross-platform project exchange
- OpenGL GLSL and Metal Shading Language support
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Kodelife is a real-time GPU shader editor, live-code performance tool and graphics prototyping sketchpad. Lightweight App, Heavyweight Power KodeLife gives you 100% native real-time control over your GPU's power with one lightweight app. Real-time Live-Coding Code is checked, evaluated and updated in the background as you type! Quick prototyping of visual effects without having to wait for compilation. Plug and Play Use your device's audio input and all available MIDI connections or connect a gamepad to drive your visuals. Support for external keyboards, mice and trackpads. Multilingual KodeLife supports all supported flavors of OpenGL GLSL, as well as the Metal Shading Language. Cross-platform Support Take your ideas with you! Exchange your projects with KodeLife running on other platforms. Also available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Relic Waves
Generate unique Lo-Fi sounds, pads, and effects using advanced synthesis algorithms. Explore billions of sonic possibilities with intuitive controls and real-time recording. Perfect for musicians and sound designers seeking experimental audio.
- Billions of unique Lo-Fi sounds
- Random sound generation with search
- Multiple keyboard input options
- Real-time audio recording to WAV
- Export to WAV, SunVox, and clipboard
- MIDI control and processing
- iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3)
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Relic Waves is a generator of Lo-Fi noises, pads and effects based on unique synthesis algorithms from NightRadio. More than 4 billion samples from the depths of the Mathematical Universe! Features: * search for new sounds with three buttons: next random set, edit code, previous set; each set of 12 sounds corresponds to a code of 8 characters; * three types of keyboards for live performing: on-screen buttons, PC keyboard, MIDI input; * several processing parameters + control via MIDI; * real-time audio recording to WAV (32-bit); * export to: WAV (one file or a set), SunVox (samples + effects in one file), text clipboard; * the LCK button freezes individual samples - they will not change during the search for new sets; * iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Double clicking on a parameter opens a window for setting the exact value. If you enable the Hold option, the notes will play endlessly, without reacting to key release (noteOff) events; turning the note on again works like turning it off; there are two ways to enable this option: 1) using the Hold parameter in the "MIDI Mapping" window; 2) by pressing the HOLD button, which appears in place of LCK while playing the musical keyboard: press HOLD, release the desired notes - then the released notes will continue to play.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Relic Waves at $1.99 against KodeLife's $9.99. Relic Waves also leads on chart position (#188 vs unranked) and ratings volume (43 vs 11). KodeLife's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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
KodeLife costs $9.99 and Relic Waves $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Relic Waves holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 43 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
KodeLife ships an update every 2 months, Relic Waves every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | KodeLife | Relic Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (11 ratings) | 5.0 (43 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 43 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 11 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #188 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hexler LLC | Alexander Zolotov |
Customer experience
KodeLife
Relic Waves
In-app purchases
KodeLife
No in-app purchases
Relic Waves
No in-app purchases









