Comparison

nanoloop 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

nanoloop

Create electronic music from scratch with this all-in-one tool. It features a sequencer, synthesizer, and sampler with extensive parameter automation. Easily share and export your creations.

Highlights
  • Sequencer for rhythm and melody
  • Parameter automation
  • 8-channel synth or sampler
  • Microphone sampling
  • MIDI sync and Ableton Link
  • Project sharing via email
  • WAV export
Features
Read full description

Nanoloop combines sequencer, synthesizer and sampler in one package. It provides all functions for creating electronic music from scratch. - Easy to use sequencer, suitable for rhythm and melody - Automatisation of all parameters - 8 channels, each can be synth or sampler - 8 patterns per channel - Sample via microphone - Re-sample - Polyphonic FM-, PWM- and noise synth - Song editor with loop function - Send and receive projects via e-mail - WAV export - Sharing projects and audio in file sharing apps like Dropbox is possible when these apps are installed. - MIDI sync with other devices - Ableton Link The Synth Nanoloop's FM synth offers a maximum of flexibility within a small set of parameters. It comes with a stereo modulator detune effect and covers the typical clean bells and Rhodes-like sounds, spheric pads, thick beats and basses. The Sequencer The stepsequencer visualises the rhythmic structure in a compact 4x4 square matrix, making it very easy to lay out patterns. The Sampler Besides A/D envelope, loop function, start offset, tune and fine tune, the puristic sampler comes without effects. You can record up to 6 seconds via microphone or copy samples via iTunes. Share With nanoloop for iPhone, you can send your saved projects to other nanoloop users and your own PC via e-mail. If nanoloop is installed on the recipient's iPhone / iPod, she/he can simply tap on the file name in the received e-mail to start nanoloop and import the attached file so that it is available for editing. This makes collaboration very easy, multiple users around the world can work on the same project by simply e-mailing the file. Export Songs can be exported to a WAV file that is accessible via iTunes (simply drag & drop files in finder). The exported file is also copied to the clipboard so that it can be pasted in other apps that support pasting audio. If a file sharing app like Dropbox is installed, you can upload the file there. More information can be found at the nanoloop website: www.nanoloop.com

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

nanoloop4 screens
Relic Waves1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Relic Waves at 5.0 against nanoloop's 4.4. Relic Waves also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 81%) and chart position (#200 vs unranked). nanoloop's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). On ratings volume, 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

nanoloop costs $3.99 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 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 69 and 42 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of nanoloop's written reviews are positive against 100% of Relic Waves's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

nanoloop ships an update every 2 months, Relic Waves every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
nanoloop versus Relic Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternanoloopRelic Waves
Price$3.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.4 (69 ratings)5.0 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings69 — better42
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#200 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver WittchowAlexander Zolotov

Customer experience

nanoloop

All ratings69 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral7.2%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews205 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative11.7%

Relic Waves

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

Bugs and requests

nanoloop

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Saving and file management issues on certain iOS versions
  • Microphone/sampling functionality not working reliably
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expanded waveform options for the default oscillator
  • Improved pattern/sequence editing tools
  • Addition of more built-in effects and sound processing
  • Seamless integration with other music apps and MIDI devices

Relic Waves

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

nanoloop

No in-app purchases

None

Relic Waves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nanoloop free?
nanoloop costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Relic Waves free?
Relic Waves costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, nanoloop or Relic Waves?
Relic Waves is rated higher. nanoloop averages 4.4 out of 5 from 69 ratings, while Relic Waves averages 5.0 from 42 ratings.
Do nanoloop or Relic Waves have ads?
Neither nanoloop nor Relic Waves shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nanoloop or Relic Waves?
nanoloop ships an update every 2 months, and Relic Waves every 11 months. Most recently, nanoloop was updated on October 15, 2026 and Relic Waves on October 14, 2026.

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