shapesynth vs Circlo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Circlo
This app offers a unique ambient audiovisual experience with a pulsating circle display and a dynamic soundtrack that changes intensity throughout the day. Users can customize color schemes and control the music through a simple double-tap interface.
- Ambient audiovisual clock
- Dynamic soundtrack
- Pulsating circle display
- Customizable color schemes
- Music on/off toggle
- Intuitive double-tap controls
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Circlo is an ambient audiovisual clock. The ambient soundtrack by Hannu Kuosmanen changes depending on what time of day it is while the circles on the screen pulsate gently. The music is at its calmest around 1 am/pm, and gets more intense until the clock strikes 1 again. Double-tap anywhere to access the settings screen where you can change the color scheme and turn the music on or off. Design and programming by Johan Halin. Music by Hannu Kuosmanen. --- Johan Halin has also created Kontrol, an experimental techno composition that was shown in 2011 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York as part of the "Talk to Me" exhibition, and Revolve, an ambient reaction game.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Circlo at Free against shapesynth's $4.99. Circlo also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 65%). shapesynth's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 33 months) and ratings volume (24 vs 5). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Circlo is free to download; shapesynth costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for shapesynth against 5.0 for Circlo. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 5 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of shapesynth's written reviews are positive against 100% of Circlo's.
shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, Circlo every 33 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.
| Parameter | shapesynth | Circlo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (24 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 33 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Erik Sigth | Johan Halin |
Customer experience
shapesynth
Circlo
In-app purchases
shapesynth
No in-app purchases
Circlo
No in-app purchases









