Comparison

shapesynth vs Replicant 3

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
Read full description

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

Replicant 3

This real-time audio effect processor captures, loops, and mangles audio on the fly. It offers advanced sequencing with per-step probability and direction, alongside four distinct slice effects for creative sound design. Control dynamics with envelope crossfading and trigger slices manually or via MIDI.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio slicing and mangling
  • Advanced step sequencer (3-16 steps)
  • Four distinct slice effects (Stutter, Delay, Redukt, Ring Mod)
  • Envelope crossfading for dynamic control
  • Manual and MIDI triggering
  • Intuitive visual step sequencer interface
  • AUv3 compatible
Read full description

Replicant 3 is a real-time audio slicing and mangling effect, the third generation of the plugin that started the genre in 2007. Feed it any audio and Replicant's sequencer captures, loops, reverses, and re-slices it on the fly, layering in delay, filtering, panning, ring modulation, and bit-crushing to turn predictable tracks into something unpredictable. Version 3 is a ground-up rebuild with an all-new sequencer engine, expanded effects, and a redesigned interface that makes programming complex slice patterns fast and intuitive. SEQUENCER ENGINE Program 3 to 16 steps per measure with multiple step-size modes, from dotted notes through nontuplets. Build rhythmic patterns that go well beyond straight time. Per-step probability, direction (forward or reverse), and effect routing let you create patterns that evolve and surprise. FOUR SLICE EFFECTS The original Stutter capture-and-repeat is joined by three new modes. Delay adds rhythmic echoes to sliced audio. Redukt applies bit-crushing and sample-rate reduction for lo-fi destruction. Ring Mod adds metallic, inharmonic tonal coloring to any slice event. ENVELOPE CROSSFADING Smooth transitions or hard-gated rhythmic chops on every slice event. Control the attack and release shape of each captured buffer for precise dynamic control. MANUAL AND MIDI TRIGGER Bypass the sequencer entirely and fire slices on demand. Manual trigger mode works with touchscreens for live performance. MIDI trigger lets you drive Replicant from a controller, keyboard, or DAW automation. REDESIGNED INTERFACE A visual step sequencer puts your entire pattern on screen at once. Edit steps, assign effects, set probabilities, and adjust parameters without menu-diving. CROSS-PLATFORM PRESETS XML-based preset manager with presets compatible across all Audio Damage plugin formats and operating systems. SOUND DESIGN IDEAS Sequence stuttering vocal chops with per-step filter sweeps. Build glitched-out drum fills by randomizing slice direction and bit-crushing depth. Layer ring modulation on sustained pads for metallic, evolving textures. Use MIDI trigger mode to fire slices manually in a live set. Program polyrhythmic slice patterns with odd step counts against 4/4 time. Run full mixes through Replicant on a bus for controlled chaos breakdowns. AUv3 compatible. Runs standalone or hosted in AUM, ApeMatrix, Audiobus, Cubasis, GarageBand, and other AUv3 hosts on iOS 11 or newer. From Audio Damage, making creative software for discerning musicians since 2002.

Screenshots

shapesynth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: shapesynth at every 2 months against Replicant 3's every 18 months. shapesynth also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). On price, review sentiment, 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 Replicant 3 $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, Replicant 3 every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
shapesynth versus Replicant 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametershapesynthReplicant 3
Price$4.99$4.99
Rating4.9 (24 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 18 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

shapesynth

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

Replicant 3

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

shapesynth

No in-app purchases

None

Replicant 3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is shapesynth free?
shapesynth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Replicant 3 free?
Replicant 3 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do shapesynth or Replicant 3 have ads?
Neither shapesynth nor Replicant 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, shapesynth or Replicant 3?
shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, and Replicant 3 every 18 months. Most recently, shapesynth was updated on September 25, 2026 and Replicant 3 on September 9, 2026.

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