sqrt vs Lines
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
sqrt
This app allows users to trigger and manipulate sounds on a multitouch surface. The pro version enables loading custom audio files and creating personalized sound grids. It offers a unique playback control system where sound parameters are interpolated across the screen.
- Multitouch sound triggering
- Drag-to-manipulate sound parameters
- Load custom sounds (Pro version)
- Create custom sound grids (Pro version)
- Interpolate between parameter presets
- Includes curated glitch sounds
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SQRT is a multitouch sound board sample player. Tap on the items to trigger different sounds. Drag a triggered sound around the surface to change its parameters. Use the two buttons on the side to change the way how you can play / trigger the sounds. With the pro version you can load in your own sounds (using iTunes or AudioShare) and create your own grids! SQRT comes with a specially designed set of (glitch) sounds by composer/sound designer Ctrl-t (aka Jan T.) and are an incarnation of one of his recent (live) pieces. If you want to use your own sounds, get the pro version! What is special about SQRT? The sounds can be triggered from one point on the screen but the playback behavior can be manipulated over the entire screen. For each 'trigger point' there are snapshots of parameter settings spread across the playing area. The playback behavior is changed by interpolating between these presets. Currently the presets define pitch, loop start and loop length.
Lines
This audio effect plugin transforms any signal into a wide spectrum of sounds, from lo-fi to distortion and feedback. It can also function as an experimental synthesizer, creating rhythms and soundscapes even without input.
- Creative signal mangling
- Experimental synthesizer
- Feedback-based sound design
- Wide range of audio effects
- Rhythm and soundscape generation
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Lines is an effect plugin that crosses borders: it can be used as a creative mangler of all kinds of signals, ranging from lo-fi telephone sounds, lush phasing, warm distortions, crushing feedback, ring modulation and unique frequency shifting. But even without any input, it can be an experimental synthesizer based on feedback, allowing for a wide range of inspiring rhythms, pulses, and organic soundscapes. If you combine input and internal engines an unheard spectrum of sounds appears.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: sqrt at Free against Lines's $19.99. sqrt also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 13 months) and iOS requirement (8.4 vs 12.0). Lines's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.3) and review sentiment (100% vs 58%). On ratings volume, 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
sqrt is free to download; Lines costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Lines holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of sqrt's written reviews are positive against 100% of Lines's.
sqrt ships an update every 5 weeks, Lines every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | sqrt | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 3.3 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 11 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 13 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.4 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TeaTracks | AudioThing Ltd. |
Customer experience
sqrt
Lines
In-app purchases
sqrt
No in-app purchases
Lines
No in-app purchases









