Ions vs Gravity Zen
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.
Gravity Zen
Observe small circles interacting with a central gravity field. Add numerous boxes to explore how they naturally settle into a stable arrangement. It's a simple yet captivating simulation.
- Gravity field simulation
- Add multiple objects
- Observe stable configurations
- Interactive physics
- Minimalist design
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Watch small circles move around a central gravity field. Add as many boxes as you like. Explore how they find a "stable" configuration by themselves.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Ions at Free against Gravity Zen's $0.99. Ions also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.0). Gravity Zen's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). On ads 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
Ions is free to download; Gravity Zen costs $0.99 up front. Gravity Zen sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Ions asks for nothing beyond the download.
Gravity Zen holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gravity Zen has 68 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Ions's written reviews are positive against 93% of Gravity Zen's.
Ions ships an update every 3 months, Gravity Zen every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ions | Gravity Zen |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) | 4.8 (68 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.6% of reviews | 93.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 68 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Douglas Applewhite | Dominik Hauser |
Customer experience
Ions
Gravity Zen
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
Gravity Zen
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Ions
No in-app purchases
Gravity Zen
- Small Tip$0.99
- Large tip$2.99
