Comparison

shapesynth vs BLEASS Shimmer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

shapesynth

Create unique retro-inspired sounds by drawing oscillator waveforms. This polyphonic synthesizer offers extensive modulation options, built-in effects, and recording capabilities. Seamlessly integrate with other music apps and hardware for a versatile creative experience.

Highlights
  • Draw custom oscillator waveforms
  • 16-voice polyphony
  • Arpeggiator and stereo delay
  • Resonant filter
  • Parameter modulation via keyboard, MPE, accelerometer
  • Tape recorder with infinite overdubs
  • Inter-app audio and AUv3 support
Features
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Shape is a polyphonic synthesiser allowing the user to draw the shape of the oscillator waveform. The first half of the oscillator is represented by 32 blocks and the second half is its mirror, generating all sorts of possible raw retroish sounds. 16 pages per oscillator allows to interpolate between different shapes. Add effects like arpeggio, stereo delay and a resonant filter and record your sounds on a classic tape. Modulate any parameter with keyboard, MIDI MPE or the device accelerometer. Connect to other apps with AudioBus, IAA, AUv3 and midi. +++ 16 voice polyphony +++ 2 oscillators, draw your own shape +++ 3 oscillator mixing functions (add, subtract or multiply) +++ Lfo modulation with ADSR: envelope, pitch, duty cycle, square, page or filter +++ Record on tape with infinite overdubs (save, load, import, export) +++ Arpeggiator +++ Stereo delay +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Modulate any parameter using keyboard, MIDI MPE or accelerometer (Built in or Sphero) +++ Mini linear sequencer with euclidean rhythm +++ On screen 25 key stylophone style keyboard +++ AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3 +++ Ableton link or AUv3 host sync +++ CoreMIDI, IAA MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, limited MPE and MIDI out +++ Audio Paste, files app drag’n drop or open with

About

BLEASS Shimmer

This app offers a unique pitch-shifting reverb effect to enhance musical performances. It allows for creative sound design by emphasizing harmonics and revealing new tonal colors through its versatile processing stages. The intuitive interface and included presets make it easy to explore a wide range of spatial and ambient effects for various instruments and vocals.

Highlights
  • Unique pitch shifting reverb
  • Harmonic emphasis and tonal color
  • Multi-mode input filter
  • Dual pitch shift modules
  • Clean and rich reverb
  • Integrated ducker for rhythmic effects
  • Intuitive user interface
Currently charting
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The unique pitch-shifting reverb in BLEASS Shimmer makes performances dance and sing in ways you never imagined possible. Harmonics are emphasised and new tonal colours emerge as luscious washes of reverb thicken and harmonise with your performance, opening up a whole new creative dimension of spatial and ambient effects. The flexible processing architecture makes BLEASS Shimmer a highly versatile plugin overflowing with creative musical possibilities. Shape the incoming sound with the multi-mode input filter, place the two pitch-shift modules at different points in the signal chain for wildly different results, and combine them with a clean, rich reverb. An integrated ducker helps the direct signal stand out from the reverb and is perfect for rhythmic and blooming effects. This vast sonic potential is easy to tame, both live and in the studio, thanks to a clear and tactile interface designed for hands-on exploration. More than 30 included presets reveal the depth of possibilities on offer while providing great starting points for your own sound designs. From guitars and synth pads to leads, vocals and drums, BLEASS Shimmer brings exciting new dimensions to your musicianship. More information and technical specifications available on https://www.bleass.com/shimmer/ BLEASS Shimmer can be launched as an AUv3 plugin or as a standalone app. BLEASS Shimmer is also available for Windows, and macOS.

Screenshots

shapesynth4 screens
BLEASS Shimmer3 screens

Verdict

The call

shapesynth and BLEASS Shimmer both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of BLEASS Shimmer's written reviews are positive against 65% of shapesynth's. BLEASS Shimmer also leads on chart position (#186 vs unranked). shapesynth's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months) and price ($4.99 vs $6.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

shapesynth costs $4.99 and BLEASS Shimmer $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for shapesynth against 4.9 for BLEASS Shimmer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 36 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of shapesynth's written reviews are positive against 100% of BLEASS Shimmer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, BLEASS Shimmer every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
shapesynth versus BLEASS Shimmer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametershapesynthBLEASS Shimmer
Price$4.99 — better$6.99
Rating4.9 (24 ratings)4.9 (36 ratings)
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2436 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#186 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthBLEASS

Customer experience

shapesynth

All ratings24 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative25.0%

BLEASS Shimmer

All ratings36 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

shapesynth

No in-app purchases

None

BLEASS Shimmer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is shapesynth free?
shapesynth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BLEASS Shimmer free?
BLEASS Shimmer costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, shapesynth or BLEASS Shimmer?
shapesynth and BLEASS Shimmer are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 24 and 36 ratings respectively.
Do shapesynth or BLEASS Shimmer have ads?
Neither shapesynth nor BLEASS Shimmer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, shapesynth or BLEASS Shimmer?
shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, and BLEASS Shimmer every 10 months. Most recently, shapesynth was updated on September 25, 2026 and BLEASS Shimmer on September 20, 2026.

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