Comparison

Shaderly vs GLview Pro

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

Head to head
About

Shaderly

Edit OpenGL ES 2.0 shaders in real-time for generative art and game development. Shaders created can be directly used in SpriteKit projects. Features include code highlighting, live previews, and sharing options.

Highlights
  • Real-time shader editing
  • SpriteKit SKShader compatibility
  • Code highlighting
  • Live preview (resizable, fullscreen, picture-in-picture)
  • Save and share shader videos/snapshots
  • Shader thumbnails and previews
Features
Read full description

Shaderly is real-time OpenGL ES 2.0 shader editor. It runs on SpriteKit SKShader, so all shaders you made with Shaderly can be used later in your SpriteKit projects. Great tool for prototyping effects and for making generative art. I hope this app is useful to you. The app was born as a result of the desire to continue working on my game while sitting in a bomb shelter without my computer. And now I'm creating it for you. Features: • Code highlighting • Live preview (resizable, fullscreen, picture-in-picture) • Save and share shader video or snapshot • Shader Thumbnails • Shader Previews

About

GLview Pro

Explore detailed graphics hardware information, including OpenGL and Metal capabilities. This universal app provides comprehensive device insights and a renderer database, with an option to upgrade for ad-free experience and database contribution.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive device insights
  • Detailed OpenGL capabilities
  • Metal version and capabilities
  • Extensive renderer database
  • Interface testing for OpenGL
  • Ad-free and tracking-free experience (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Explore the graphics capabilities of your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with GLview Pro, the latest evolution of OpenGL Extensions Viewer, developed since 2005. Built with SwiftUI as a universal app, GLview Pro provides detailed information about your device, graphics APIs, and display capabilities in a clear, responsive interface. Includes support for iOS 27. KEY FEATURES Device and Display Information View device and operating-system details, memory usage, display modes, refresh rates, and HDR properties such as minimum, maximum, and full-frame luminance when reported by the display. OpenGL Capabilities Inspect supported OpenGL contexts, extensions, limits, pixel formats, and implementation details. Metal Capabilities Explore Metal device information and supported features, including Metal 3 and Metal 4, GPU families, mesh shaders, sparse textures, and MetalFX scaling capabilities. Renderer Database Browse an extensive cross-platform graphics database and learn more about renderers and extensions. Rendering Tests Run interactive OpenGL ES and Metal rendering tests to examine graphics performance and implementation behavior. Metal tests include a live performance overlay, with controls for scenes, instancing, and multisampling. PRO FEATURES Ad-Free and Tracking-Free Enjoy a streamlined and private experience without advertising or tracking. Database Submission Contribute your device information to the GLview graphics database, built from decades of graphics research across multiple operating systems. Whether you are a developer, graphics enthusiast, or simply curious about your hardware, GLview Pro gives you a detailed view of your device's graphics capabilities.

Screenshots

Shaderly4 screens
GLview Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GLview Pro at 5.0 against Shaderly's 4.4. GLview Pro also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 13 months) and device support (4 vs 2). Shaderly's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Shaderly sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and GLview Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GLview Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shaderly has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shaderly ships an update every 13 months, GLview Pro every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Shaderly versus GLview Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShaderlyGLview Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDmytro DenysStephane Denis

Customer experience

Shaderly

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

GLview Pro

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Shaderly

One-time3
  • Donate Coffee$1.99
  • Donate Three Coffees$4.99
  • Donate Five Coffees$9.99
1 purchases

GLview Pro

One-time1
  • Pro version$1.99

Questions

Is Shaderly free?
Shaderly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GLview Pro free?
GLview Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shaderly or GLview Pro?
GLview Pro is rated higher. Shaderly averages 4.4 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while GLview Pro averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Shaderly or GLview Pro have ads?
Neither Shaderly nor GLview Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shaderly or GLview Pro?
Shaderly ships an update every 13 months, and GLview Pro every 3 months. Most recently, Shaderly was updated on October 27, 2026 and GLview Pro on October 17, 2026.

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