Comparison

Bloom vs Gradient Synth

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

Head to head
About

Bloom

Create unique melodies and elaborate patterns by simply tapping the screen. This generative music player offers an infinite selection of compositions and accompanying visualizations, even when left idle. It's a musical instrument, composition, and artwork all in one.

Highlights
  • Create melodies by tapping
  • Generative music player
  • Visualizations
  • 12 mood settings
  • Adjustable delay
  • Shake to clear
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Developed by ambient pioneer Brian Eno and musician / software designer Peter Chilvers, Bloom explores uncharted territory in the realm of applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. Part instrument, part composition and part artwork, Bloom's innovative controls allow anyone to create elaborate patterns and unique melodies by simply tapping the screen. A generative music player takes over when Bloom is left idle, creating an infinite selection of compositions and their accompanying visualisations. "Bloom is an endless music machine, a music box for the 21st century. You can play it, and you can watch it play itself." - Brian Eno Features - 12 different mood settings - Random mood shuffle - Adjustable delay - Shake to clear - Evolve when idle - Sleep Timer Recommended for headphones or external speakers. “Bloom Raises the Bar for Musical iPhone Apps… if you're a fan of ambient music or music in general, you'll be wanting to get it right now” - Gizmodo “A relaxing alternative to just about anything else you can do with an iPhone” Wired “Hypnotic and ludicrously addictive” - Guardian

About

Gradient Synth

Transform colors into unique sounds with this intuitive music creation app. Designed for beginners and children, it offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features to explore and customize a wide range of audio experiences.

Highlights
  • Preset Generator
  • Color-based sound customization
  • User-friendly interface
  • MIDI keyboard integration
  • Dynamic audio effects
  • Polyphony
Features
Read full description

** TRANSFORM COLORS INTO SOUNDS ** Designed with beginners in mind, our app makes exploring music fun and intuitive for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or introducing your child to music, Gradient Synth offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features to help you create and perform unique sounds effortlessly. Now free to download, Gradient Synth invites everyone to explore sound and create at their own pace. ** CREATE YOUR IDEAL SOUND WITH THE NEW PRESET GENERATOR ** Type what you want to hear, and Gradient Synth’s Preset Generator transforms your description into customizable instrument settings. This innovative tool simplifies sound design, allowing you to focus on your creativity without a steep learning curve. Experience the magic of turning your ideas into music with just a few taps. ** EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY ** Explore a wide range of sounds, from calm and soothing to bold and experimental. Customize your tones by changing colors, enhancing both your auditory and visual creative processes. Let your imagination flow seamlessly with Gradient Synth, your gateway to endless musical possibilities. ** HERE IS WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY ** "I believe in Gradient Synth!" - TONY G. "I feel like Mozart." - HANNAH R. "I like to change the colors." - SHEPHERD O., Age 5 ** FEATURES ** Preset Generator & Control • Type your desired sound and let the app create unique instrument settings. • Customize and refine presets to match your style. • Over 50 starter presets to inspire your first creations. • Color picker for personalized sound experiences. • Deep customization editor for perfecting your sounds. User-Friendly Interface • Tap or press the gradient to start making music instantly. • Interactive text display provides real-time feedback and learning. • Simple mode ideal for kids and beginners. Advanced Control • Play up to 4 notes simultaneously with polyphony. • Seamlessly integrate with MIDI keyboards and your favorite DAWs. • Connect wirelessly to Bluetooth MIDI devices. Dynamic Effects • Choose from reverb, delay, saturation, bitcrush, chorus, and low pass filter. • Easily adjust effect settings with XY pad and fader controls. • Add movement and depth with the Tone Animator. ** WHY GRADIENT SYNTH? ** • Innovative Preset Generator: Create and customize sounds effortlessly by describing what you want to hear. • Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for those new to music creation, fostering creativity and confidence. • Vibrant Visuals: Enhance your music experience with color-based sound customization. • Comprehensive Features: From basic controls to advanced MIDI compatibility and effects, everything you need to start your musical journey. ** JOIN OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY ** Share your creations with friends and explore endless creative possibilities together. Download Gradient Synth now and begin your musical journey today! If you love our app, please rate us on the App Store—your feedback helps us grow and improve! ** ADDITIONAL FEATURES ** • Customizable display for a personalized setup. • Favorite preset mode for quick access to your top sounds. • Engaging visualizer for an immersive experience. • Overtone fader and ADSR envelope control for precise sound shaping. • Note Editor to adjust the scale of the gradient. • Drag to re-pitch with an easy toggle option. • Note guide overlay for effortless navigation. • Save and name your custom presets. • Left-hand edit mode for enhanced usability. • MIDI CC Control for expanded functionality. • Synesthesia exploration blending visual and auditory creativity. ** GET STARTED TODAY ** Transform your sound design experience with Gradient Synth. Download now and use our Preset Generator to create and perform music like never before! Previous purchases are honored with Lifetime Ownership. Support: http://manual.gradientsynth.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Bloom4 screens
Gradient Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Gradient Synth at Free against Bloom's $3.99. Gradient Synth also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 11 months). Bloom's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On ratings volume, ads and device support 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

Gradient Synth is free to download; Bloom costs $3.99 up front. Gradient Synth sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Bloom asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bloom holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 99 and 63 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Bloom's written reviews are positive against 62% of Gradient Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bloom ships an update every 11 months, Gradient Synth monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Bloom versus Gradient Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBloomGradient Synth
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (99 ratings) — better4.4 (63 ratings)
Positive reviews84.5% of reviews — better61.5% of reviews
Number of ratings99 — better63
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#63 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal LimitedApps Are Fun LLC

Customer experience

Bloom

All ratings99 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews618 reviews
Positive84.5%
Neutral5.0%
Negative10.5%

Gradient Synth

All ratings63 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative12.7%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative34.6%

Bugs and requests

Bloom

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 8/11 updates
  • Stops working in background
  • High notes cause issues for some users

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add more sound options/instruments
  • Implement recording and export capabilities
  • Add sleep timer and background playback
  • Improve low-end sound quality
  • Introduce MIDI support
Show 2 more
  • Expand sound manipulation options (pitch bending, sustain, etc.)
  • Add visual customization (blurred edges, etc.)

Gradient Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Bloom

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Gradient Synth

Subscriptions2
  • Gradient Synth Supporter (Yearly)1 Year trial$9.991 Year
  • Unlimited Presets$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • 10 Presets$0.99
  • 75 Presets$4.99
  • Lifetime Unlock$12.99

Questions

Is Bloom free?
Bloom costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gradient Synth free?
Gradient Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bloom or Gradient Synth?
Bloom is rated higher. Bloom averages 4.8 out of 5 from 99 ratings, while Gradient Synth averages 4.4 from 63 ratings.
Do Bloom or Gradient Synth have ads?
Neither Bloom nor Gradient Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bloom or Gradient Synth?
Bloom ships an update every 11 months, and Gradient Synth monthly. Most recently, Bloom was updated on October 31, 2026 and Gradient Synth on November 4, 2026.

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