Comparison

Bloom vs Skoog

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
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

Skoog

This app connects to a unique musical instrument device, allowing users of all skill levels to create and explore music. It offers a range of instruments, scales, and adjustable sensitivity for expressive play.

Highlights
  • Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth
  • Select from various instruments
  • Explore musical scales
  • Adjustable sensitivity settings
  • Expressive music creation
  • Accessible for all abilities
Features
Read full description

Skoog is a free app that works with your Skoog 2.0 device. The app easily connects wirelessly via Bluetooth® Low Energy to your Skoog. You can select from a range of different instruments and explore scales, as well as adjust the sensitivity settings to your preferred set-up. Skoog 2.0 is an accessible musical instrument that allows everyone to experience the fun of making music. From the moment you lay eyes on Skoog you’ll want to play it. Whether you tap it, press it or squeeze it, the Skoog senses your touch and cleverly interprets your every move to make beautiful sound. Adjustable sensitivity means that you can play Skoog with any part of your body: hands, elbows, knees or head. This unique musical instrument can change the way you and your family can enjoy, create, and learn music - no matter what your skills, abilities, and musical talents. The universal design encourages expressive music making for children, parents, teachers, and musicians. For any questions or support issues, please get in touch with us at info@playable.tech.

Screenshots

Bloom4 screens
Skoog3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bloom at 84% against Skoog's 25%. Bloom also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Skoog's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 11 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Skoog is free to download; Bloom costs $3.99 up front. Skoog sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Bloom asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bloom holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bloom has 99 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Bloom's written reviews are positive against 25% of Skoog's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bloom ships an update every 11 months, Skoog every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and August 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Bloom versus Skoog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBloomSkoog
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (99 ratings) — better3.3 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews84.5% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings99 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal LimitedPlayable Tech ltd.

Customer experience

Bloom

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

Skoog

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

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.)

Skoog

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Bloom

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Skoog

Subscriptions2
  • Standard - Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Standard - Annual$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Bloom free?
Bloom costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Skoog free?
Skoog is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bloom or Skoog?
Bloom is rated higher. Bloom averages 4.8 out of 5 from 99 ratings, while Skoog averages 3.3 from 8 ratings.
Do Bloom or Skoog have ads?
Neither Bloom nor Skoog shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bloom or Skoog?
Bloom ships an update every 11 months, and Skoog every 6 weeks. Most recently, Bloom was updated on September 27, 2026 and Skoog on August 6, 2026.

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