Comparison

iPulsaret vs WoodStepper

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

Head to head
About

iPulsaret

This app offers a real-time granular synthesis playground for iPad, generating diverse audio effects. It provides extensive control over grain parameters and includes a post-effects chain. Users can shape sounds, manipulate live input, and save presets.

Highlights
  • Real-time granular synthesis
  • Live input manipulation
  • Grain control and shaping
  • Post FX chain (Echo, Reverb, Filters)
  • Snapshot presets morphing pad
  • AUv3 support
Features
Read full description

iPulsaret is rated as a Killer App by Apps4iDevices. iPulsaret is a new real-time software capable of all time-domain varieties of granular synthesis. A genuine granular playground able to generate a wide range of usual and not so usual effects: Grainlet, Trainlet, FM, time/pitch shifting, time/pitch jittering, intricate textures, grain fountain/pulverizer, Live Input manipulation and many more. Control and shape grains, anytime, anywhere with iPulsaret for iPad. - Full AUv3 support - 32 Polyphony Voices - Granulation Sources: Wave, Trainlet, Sample, Live and Harmonic - Grain Envelope Deformation - Grain Glisson Sweep - Grainlet Linkage - ADSR Note Envelope - Snapshots Presets Morphing Pad - Sharing common audio files via iTunes, Dropbox AudioCopy etc... - Post FX chain: Echo, Ring Modulation, Lowpass Ladder and High Shelf filters, Reverb FDN and Dynamic Compressor/Expander - Capture Master Audio Output - Keyboard Musical Scales, up to 35 + User Defined Scale - etc...

About

WoodStepper

This app is a versatile music production tool that combines sequencing, synthesis, and sampling. It offers multiple independent sequencers that can be linked, and each can function as a synth. It supports both standalone use and as a plugin within a DAW.

Highlights
  • 4 independent 8-step sequencers
  • Synth mode for parameter automation
  • Sequencers can be linked for longer patterns
  • Audio and MIDI output
  • Built-in VCOs with modulation
  • Sampling from live input or files
  • Step-based pitch shifting and filtering
Features
Read full description

The WoodStepper is a sequencer/synthesizer/sampler having both audio and midi out. The audio sources can be the track audio, sampled audio (live/track recorded or from file) or the built-in VCO's. The VCO notes can also be set by the Chordulator which finds chord notes in a live stream or recorded track. It consists of 4 independent 8-steps sequencers which can be linked to a 16, 24 or 32 steps sequencer. Each sequencer can independently be set to Synth mode. So WoodStepper can be used in any combinations of sequencers, synths and looper/samplers. Each step can also send 4 midi messages (note on, CC, …) to 2 midi channels. The audio part for each sequencer has a pitch (down) shifter, (Moog lowpass) filter with A(D)SR envelope, saturator, amplitude A(D)SR envelope and delay line which can all be set independently per step. The VCO notes can be set by midi input and WoodStepper has a function to limit the notes produced by VCO + pitch shifters to a specified key and interval scale. The app can be used stand-alone (device audio input and output) or as a plugin in a DAW. The manual can be downloaded from : http://www.woodmansimmaculatemaplesyrupstudio.be/woodstepper/WoodStepperHelp.pdf - IOS plugin type : AUv3 effect, AUv3 instrument and stand-alone app.
 - Has 4 independent 8-steps sequencers.
 - Each of the 4 sequencers can be set to Synth mode, the steps can then be used to automate parameters while playing. - Sequencers can be linked to form 16, 24, or 32 steps sequencer(s).
 - Each sequencer can have a different timing.
 - Steps can be disabled for non 4/4 patterns.
 - Each step can send up to 4 midi messages (+ all previous notes off) on 2 midi channels
 - Audio sources can be the track audio, sampled audio or 3 VCO's (per sequencer).
 - Sampling (audio coming live or from the DAW track) can be armed (per sequencer) with a button or a midi in CC.
 - Samples can also be loaded from file (sample files should be in the WoodStepper iCloud folder) - Each sequencer has it’s own gain, clipping led and brick-wall limiter.
 - VCO’s have the usual waveforms and can be modulated in various ways. - Full polyphonic mode sends 4 subsequent note-ons to the 4 sequencers/synths. - Para-polyphonic mode (per sequencer) sends notes 2&3 to the sequencer/synth VCO's 2&3, giving max 12 voices. - Each sequencer/synth can set the range of receiving midi notes (which allows for up to 4 split keyboard regions). - Each step has a pitch down shifter (sequencer mode only). - Pitch shifters have a glide control.
 - Pitch shifters can be set to a random value (out of a list of scales).
 - Pitch values can be harmonically locked to the Just Scale or the Equally Tempered Scale.
 - VCO + Pitch can be limited to a specified key + interval scale (e.g. C Major Pentatonic) - Each step has a 4-pole Moog Lowpass filter with resonance and ASR (sequencer) or ADSR (synth) envelope.
 - Steps have an additional high-pass filter and a saturation control.
 - All steps have an ASR (sequencer) or ADSR (synth) amplitude envelope and a step gain.
 - Each step has its own delay line with independent timing, feedback, and filtering.
 - Step audio and delay can be panned independently per step.
 - Sequencers can be started manually, started with the DAW transport, start after receiving a midi note or start audio gated. - Sequencers can be stopped manually or after a number of bars have been played. - A “Play 1 Step” button allows to finetune step settings
 - An “All Steps” button allows to set the same parameter value in all steps.
 - Has a global Dry-Wet, Input gain and Output gain control.
 - Presets can be stored in iCloud Drive (makes them available on all your devices).
 - Presets can be switched with Midi Program Changes or with the "Next Preset" button when running. - Major controls can be set with Midi CC messages. - Ableton Link can synchronise tempo, phase and start-stop with other Ableton Link enabled apps.

Screenshots

iPulsaret4 screens
WoodStepper1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: iPulsaret at 4.8 against WoodStepper's 4.3. iPulsaret also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 57%) and price ($9.99 vs $10.99). WoodStepper's advantage is iOS requirement (11.4 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

iPulsaret costs $9.99 and WoodStepper $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iPulsaret holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of iPulsaret's written reviews are positive against 57% of WoodStepper's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iPulsaret versus WoodStepper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriPulsaretWoodStepper
Price$9.99 — better$10.99
Rating4.8 (31 ratings) — better4.3 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews79.6% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings31 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.011.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperapeSoftWoodman's Immaculate Maple Syrup Studio

Customer experience

iPulsaret

All ratings31 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive79.6%
Neutral4.1%
Negative16.3%

WoodStepper

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

None

iPulsaret

No in-app purchases

None

WoodStepper

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iPulsaret free?
iPulsaret costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is WoodStepper free?
WoodStepper costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iPulsaret or WoodStepper?
iPulsaret is rated higher. iPulsaret averages 4.8 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while WoodStepper averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.
Do iPulsaret or WoodStepper have ads?
Neither iPulsaret nor WoodStepper shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iPulsaret or WoodStepper?
iPulsaret ships an update every 3 weeks, and WoodStepper every 3 weeks. Most recently, iPulsaret was updated on October 14, 2026 and WoodStepper on October 6, 2026.

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