Comparison

KodeLife vs Relic Waves

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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)
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

KodeLife4 screens
Relic Waves1 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

KodeLife costs $9.99 and Relic Waves $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
KodeLife versus Relic Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodeLifeRelic Waves
Price$9.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.8 (11 ratings)5.0 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1143 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#188 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHexler LLCAlexander Zolotov

Customer experience

KodeLife

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Relic Waves

All ratings42 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

KodeLife

No in-app purchases

None

Relic Waves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KodeLife free?
KodeLife costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Relic Waves free?
Relic Waves costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, KodeLife or Relic Waves?
Relic Waves is rated higher. KodeLife averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Relic Waves averages 5.0 from 43 ratings.
Do KodeLife or Relic Waves have ads?
Neither KodeLife nor Relic Waves shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KodeLife or Relic Waves?
KodeLife ships an update every 2 months, and Relic Waves every 11 months. Most recently, KodeLife was updated on November 3, 2026 and Relic Waves on October 30, 2026.

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