Comparison

Elastic Melody vs SquareBeat

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

Head to head
About

Elastic Melody

Create melodies with a fast and intuitive analog-style step sequencer. Features 3 synth channels, 4 master effects, and extensive automation capabilities for dynamic sound design. Supports AUv3 and Ableton Link.

Highlights
  • 3-channel analog synth sequencer
  • Parameter automation
  • 4 master effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb)
  • Song mode for arranging patterns
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Ableton Link integration
Read full description

Elastic Melody is a standalone iOS application and AUv3 plugin with 3 channels of synthetic sounds, an analog style step sequencer and 4 master effects. Almost all parameters can be automated and thus changed in an „elastic way“. The focus of Elastic Melody is on a fast and intuitive creation of melodies with a basic analog sound. Elastic Melody comes with a bunch of presets from well-known sound designers of the iOS scene, like "Sound of Izrael", "Red Sky Lullaby", "Nu-Trix", "JaKob Haq", "Another Machines" and others. Features: SYNTHESIZER / SEQUENCER – 3 channels, each with an analog synthesizer that is connected to an associated sequencer – Each sequencer channel has its own start/end and timing parameters for notes and automation – 14 parameters per synth engine (waveform, lowpass, highpass, env, etc.) – For each parameter, value changes can be drawn in an automation window – Solo or mute function for the 3 synth channels – Song Mode: Create easily longer sequences with setting pattern repeat and duplicating and altering a pattern MASTER FX – 4 master effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb) – Automation for most parameters of the effects – Each FX effect has its own start/end and timing parameters for automation SONG MODE - Arrange several Pattern to a longer sequence ... a Song - Repeat count for Song Elements/Pattern - Duplicate/Rename/Delete function for Pattern and Song Elements FUNCTIONS – Undo/Redo – Various randomise functions – option to share and import presets – AUv3 support – Ableton Link support

About

SquareBeat

Create music by building patterns with samples and AUv3 plugins. Arrange these patterns into songs, import your own sounds, and mix tracks. Features a text-based tracker GUI for rapid development, with all core functionality free except for WAV file export.

Highlights
  • Sequence and manipulate audio samples
  • Mix tracks
  • Use AUv3 audio unit instruments
  • Use AUv3 effects on effect busses
  • Connect with other apps via Audiobus
  • Export and share songs
Read full description

SquareBeat is a music sequencer. Build patterns out of samples and AUv3 plugins, and build songs out of patterns. Import your own samples to make new sounds. Develop songs rapidly with the text based tracker GUI. All functionality is free except wav file export. • Sequence and manipulate audio samples. • Mix tracks. • Use AUv3 audio unit instruments. • Use AUv3 effects on effect busses. • Connect with other apps with Audiobus. • Export and share your song.

Screenshots

Elastic Melody4 screens
SquareBeat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SquareBeat at Free against Elastic Melody's $8.99. SquareBeat also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 days) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). 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

SquareBeat is free to download; Elastic Melody costs $8.99 up front. Elastic Melody sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SquareBeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SquareBeat holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Elastic Melody's written reviews are positive against 80% of SquareBeat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elastic Melody ships an update every 8 days, SquareBeat every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Elastic Melody versus SquareBeat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElastic MelodySquareBeat
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (10 ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB114 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver Greschke (DE)James Navarro

Customer experience

Elastic Melody

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral23.1%
Negative0.0%

SquareBeat

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Elastic Melody

One-time1
  • Elastic Melody - Extra Modes IAP$4.99
1 purchases

SquareBeat

One-time1
  • SquareBeat Full Version$12.99

Questions

Is Elastic Melody free?
Elastic Melody costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is SquareBeat free?
SquareBeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Elastic Melody or SquareBeat?
SquareBeat is rated higher. Elastic Melody averages 4.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while SquareBeat averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do Elastic Melody or SquareBeat have ads?
Neither Elastic Melody nor SquareBeat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elastic Melody or SquareBeat?
Elastic Melody ships an update every 8 days, and SquareBeat every 3 days. Most recently, Elastic Melody was updated on September 18, 2026 and SquareBeat on September 5, 2026.

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