# Alchemist Rose vs variant

The clearest difference is monetization model: variant at free against Alchemist Rose's paid. variant also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 68%) and device support (3 vs 1). Alchemist Rose's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Alchemist Rose holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 9 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Alchemist Rose's written reviews are positive against 100% of variant's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Alchemist Rose ships an update every 3 weeks, variant monthly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alchemist Rose | variant |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alchemist-rose-for-ipad/id409785647/reviews)** | [4.4 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantsonic/id1027149718/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **9** |
| Positive reviews | 67.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 5 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mark Buchanan](https://appshunter.io/developer/407718865) | [Interval Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/364824624) |

## What reviewers say

### Alchemist Rose

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alchemist-rose-for-ipad/id409785647)

This app creates dynamic, interactive mandalas that respond to your movements and music. It offers stunning visuals and can be mirrored to a big screen for parties or performances.

**Highlights:** Interactive animated mandalas, Responds to touch and tilt, Music visualization, AirPlay screen mirroring, Video-out support for big screens, Adjustable speed and color palettes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### variant

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantsonic/id1027149718)

Experience a unique audiovisual artwork that generates ever-changing music and imagery. Interact by tapping to trigger musical fragments and responsive visuals, or drag to steer the visuals. Build complex combinations of sound and visuals through interactive controls.

**Highlights:** Generative audiovisual artwork, Interactive music generation, Evolving visual imagery, User input for control, Screenshot functionality, Indeterminate audio engine display

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alchemist Rose free?

Alchemist Rose is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is variant free?

variant is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Alchemist Rose or variant?

Alchemist Rose is rated higher. Alchemist Rose averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while variant averages 4.4 from 9 ratings.

### Do Alchemist Rose or variant have ads?

Neither Alchemist Rose nor variant shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alchemist Rose or variant?

Alchemist Rose ships an update every 3 weeks, and variant monthly. Most recently, Alchemist Rose was updated on November 1, 2026 and variant on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*