Ions vs Flasia
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ions
Explore a virtual sandbox with up to 20,000 particles of light. Create dazzling patterns in real-time by painting with ions, placing emitters, and using fields to attract or repel them. Features accelerometer support and five distinct visual styles.
- Control up to 20,000 particles
- Real-time pattern creation
- Interactive painting with ions
- Emitter placement for ion control
- Attract/repel fields
- Accelerometer support
- Five visual styles
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Ions was selected by Apple as a New and Noteworthy app in February and was the #1 Entertainment app for nearly a week! Ions was then selected as a Staff Favorite in March! Control up to 20,000 particles of light! Ions is an addictive virtual sandbox where you can create dazzling patterns in realtime. Ions runs at 60 fps and really shows off the power of the iPad. There are infinite creative possibilities with Ions - you won't be able to put it down! Use your fingers to either paint with ions or interact with them. Place emitters to control where new ions are created and their initial speeds and directions. Then use fields to either attract or repel ions, altering their velocities. Accelerometer support allows the ions to respond to gravity. You also have five different looks to choose from; each one completely changes the appearance of the ions. Additionally, you can save and load your favorite layouts at any time.
Flasia
This app offers a visually stunning and interactive experience with dynamic, artistic displays. It's designed to inspire creativity, provide a change of pace, or serve as unique entertainment and decor.
- 5-Finger Multi-touch Display
- Customizable particle effects
- Gesture Control and Multi-Touch Drawing modes
- Fluid effects with high FPS
- Optional music integration
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::: What is Flasia? ::: • Flasia is a highly complex, kinetic, and interactive visualizer yet it is also an amazingly beautiful work of art. • Flasia is designed to help people who want to think more creatively or who need a change of pace. • Flasia is an excellent game/toy/party entertainment/interior design element for anyone who loves fireworks, whirlwinds, firefly lights, aurora, rainbow, wave, fluid, Jackson Pollock painting ::: Features ::: • 5-Finger Multi-touch Display! • 5 Music choices by Aden Ray (On/Off available)! • Customize Particle Length, Number, & Size! • 2 Play Modes (Gesture Control and Multi-Touch Drawing)! • Awesome fluid effect with high FPS ::: Support ::: If you have any problems, questions, concerns, or ideas related to this app, please feel free to contact me. I would really like to hear what you think. sunglab@gmail.com www.facebook.com/sunglabcom www.twitter.com/sunglabcom www.sunglab.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Flasia at 4.6 against Ions's 3.8. Flasia also leads on ratings volume (142 vs 13) and device support (3 vs 1). Ions's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Flasia holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flasia has 142 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of Ions's written reviews are positive against 76% of Flasia's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ions | Flasia |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) | 4.6 (142 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.6% of reviews — better | 76.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 142 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 89 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Douglas Applewhite | SungLab Inc |
Customer experience
Ions
Flasia
Bugs and requests
Ions
Reported bugs
7 issues- Rainbow color not working
- Multi-color part not working on iPad Air
- One of the layouts is broken
- App crashes when trying to save a layout
- Requires newest iPhone OS but user is on iPad
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- Mysteriously refuses to install
- In horizontal mode, screen is upside-down
Requested features
27 requests- Add a grid for accurate placement
- Option to hide sidebar/markers
- Add wall/boundaries for ions to bounce off
- Allow choosing number and size of ions
- More control over emitters and fields
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- Ability to create a system with charges
- 3D TV AirPlay support
- Particle collision option
- Duplicate fields and emitters
- Choose particle fading distance
- Link or group fields and emitters
- Modify, snap to, and toggle a grid
- Toggle fields and emitters' visibility
- Choose a background image
- Automate emitter/field position
- More 'looks' to choose from
- Friend connection for sharing layouts online
- Repelled and attractor plates
- Screens
- Input Solidworks models
- 3D capabilities
- Sound options (e.g., white noise)
- Arrow controls for fine-tuning field strength
- Increase ion cap
- Prevent sleep mode
- Choose color independent of speed
- Add different looks/themes
Flasia
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Ions
No in-app purchases
Flasia
No in-app purchases
