Comparison

SECTOR vs Sparkle

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

Head to head
About

SECTOR

This app allows musicians to slice and sequence audio loops using a probability-based matrix and a classic step sequencer. It offers time-bending effects for unique sound manipulation and real-time performance tweaking, bridging the gap between controlled patterns and random sonic exploration.

Highlights
  • Probability-matrix sample slice sequencer
  • Classic pattern step-sequencer
  • Time-warping transfer functions
  • Real-time performance tweaking
  • Import custom loops
  • Inter-App Audio and Audiobus support
  • MIDI Clock sync
Read full description

Proud winner of a 2015 Electronic Musician Editors’ Choice Award! Slice and sequence your loops with a matrix of markov-chain connections. Introduce order with the probability based coin-flipping pattern sequencer. Bend time with warp functions for glitches and modulations. Tweak and trigger in real time performance. Get anything between rigid control and random chaos. • Unique probability-matrix sample slice sequencer • Classic pattern step-sequencer for absolute control • Time-warping transfer functions for various effects • Includes high-quality loops by Richard Devine, Sonic Mayhem, Arovane, Alex Matheu and Sunsine Audio • Import custom loops from other apps, AudioShare, Pasteboard or using iTunes FileSharing • Stream audio to other apps via Inter-App Audio or Audiobus • Synchronize to Inter-App Audio hosts such as AUM, Auria or Garageband • MIDI Clock slave/master to sync with other apps or hardware • MIDI control for triggers, volume, start/stop, and loading projects • Supports Audiobus Remote triggers • Record and export the results as perfectly synchronized loops • Audiobus state saving "One of the most innovative and entertaining audio apps you’ll ever encounter" - David Biedny at MacLife.com "Engrossing, beautiful, wild and a fine addition to the iPad studio" - Computer Music Magazine "This is already, I think, a must-buy. Going to have fun playing with it. Enjoy!" - Peter Kirn at CreateDigitalMusic.com "It is utterly brilliant" - John Walden at MusicAppBlog.com

About

Sparkle

Transform audio by transferring the temporal structure of one sound to another while preserving spectral properties. Create unique sound transformations with advanced spectral hybridization algorithms. Ideal for musicians and sound designers seeking innovative audio manipulation.

Highlights
  • Spectral hybridization
  • Envelope preservation
  • Phase-sync processing
  • High-quality sound transformations
  • Temporal structure transfer
  • Spectral property preservation
Features
Read full description

Sparkle is a tool for advanced spectral hybridizations made of several algorithms that operate on frequency domain. By means of envelope preservation and phase-sync processing it can creates high-quality sound transformations. The basic idea is to transfer the temporal structure of a sound (source) onto another sound (target) of which the spectral properties are preserved. Simply put, you can take a voice and make it sing a Beethoven’s symphony!

Screenshots

Sparkle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sparkle at 5.0 against SECTOR's 4.7. Sparkle also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). SECTOR's advantage is price ($8.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On review sentiment, 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

SECTOR costs $8.99 and Sparkle $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sparkle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 48 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of SECTOR's written reviews are positive against 96% of Sparkle's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SECTOR ships an update every 3 months, Sparkle every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SECTOR versus Sparkle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSECTORSparkle
Price$8.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (87 ratings)5.0 (48 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.3% of reviews95.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings87 — better48
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKymatica ABapeSoft

Customer experience

SECTOR

All ratings82 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive90.3%
Neutral2.7%
Negative7.1%

Sparkle

All ratings48 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive95.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.2%

Bugs and requests

SECTOR

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Warp effects occasionally get stuck and repeat longer than intended
  • Audio clicks and clipping between slices
  • Does not appear as usable Audio Unit in AUM
  • Incompatibility with newer iPad display sizes and gestures
  • Occasional audio quality degradation with multiple jumps
Show 1 more
  • App may not be updated for current iOS versions

Requested features

15 requests
  • AUv3 plugin support for use in DAWs and AUM
  • macOS and desktop application version
  • MIDI slave/sync capability and MIDI control mapping
  • iPhone compatibility
  • Multiple instance support for layering
Show 10 more
  • Live audio input processing capability
  • Longer sample duration support (beyond 3 minutes)
  • Stereo panning controls for individual sectors
  • Mute/silence individual sectors
  • Ableton Link sync support
  • In-app level control distinct from volume
  • Smoother slice transitions without clicks
  • More diverse preset variety
  • Built-in effects processor per slice
  • Home gesture support for newer iPads

Sparkle

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SECTOR

No in-app purchases

None

Sparkle

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SECTOR free?
SECTOR costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sparkle free?
Sparkle costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SECTOR or Sparkle?
Sparkle is rated higher. SECTOR averages 4.7 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while Sparkle averages 5.0 from 48 ratings.
Do SECTOR or Sparkle have ads?
Neither SECTOR nor Sparkle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SECTOR or Sparkle?
SECTOR ships an update every 3 months, and Sparkle every 6 weeks. Most recently, SECTOR was updated on October 23, 2026 and Sparkle on October 21, 2026.

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