Comparison

Needlepoint vs GRFX

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

Head to head
About

Needlepoint

This app simulates the warm, fuzzy sound of vinyl records using advanced physical modeling. It generates realistic turntable noises and artifacts, offering creative control over warped sounds and tempo-synced playback. Additional effects like a compressor and glitchy looper enhance the audio.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling for realistic vinyl sounds
  • Synthesized record detritus and distress
  • Tempo-syncable turntable speed
  • Single-knob compressor with multiple algorithms
  • Broken record looper mode
  • Vinyl spindown and start effect
  • Granular pitch shifter
Features
Read full description

Unfiltered Audio's Needlepoint is now available on iOS as a Standalone app or AUv3 plugin! Unfiltered Audio raises the bar (and lowers the tonearm) with Needlepoint: a revolution in vinyl simulation. Continuing the retro themes of their smashed-up hit lo-fi-af, Needlepoint presents a full platter of advanced physical modeling to dive deep into the warm, fuzzy sound of turntable noises and artifacts beloved by many. Of course, since this is an Unfiltered Audio plugin, you can push the needle far past realism and dive into some seriously warped sounds. While many vinyl plugins are content to use looping samples of noise, Needlepoint uses physical modeling to achieve its incredible sound. Needlepoint synthesizes all sorts and sizes of detritus and distress on a record: hair, dust mites, scratches, warping, etc. These are not randomly modeled, but rather accurately distributed onto a rotating, algorithmic platter. Changing the speed of the record can greatly change the nature of Needlepoint's impact on your sound. While you may be used to vinyl RPMs like 33 1/3, 45, and 78, have you ever wondered what it would sound like to tempo sync a turntable to your DAW? Now you can! Beyond noise, ambience, and tone, Needlepoint includes other effects to fully etch out your vibe. A single knob compressor (inspired by lo-fi-af's PRESS knob with six additional algorithms) can be added before or after the signal chain. This compressor can emulate algorithms from famous hardware samplers associated with vinyl, or even mimic the sound of analog distortion introduced by the vinyl pressing process. A BROKEN mode emulates a broken record a broken record a broken record a broken... Where were we? Oh right, a BROKEN mode acts as an unpredictable looper by jumping the grooves on your recent audio. You can automate the mode's toggle to create all sorts of cut-up and glitchy phrases. No vinyl plugin would be complete without a SPINDOWN button that creates that classic vinyl stop (and start!) sound. Here you can control the rate of the spindown to better fit the effect into your mixes. Finally, at the end of the processing chain, Needlepoint features a granular pitch shifter to help you achieve that chopped up vibe without needing to manually change the speed of your tracks. Despite all of these features, Needlepoint is incredibly easy to use. With a beautiful interface and an extensive set of presets, Needlepoint will help you itch that nostalgic scratch that your tracks need. As an AUv3 plugin, Needlepoint has been tested to work perfectly with Garageband, Drambo, AUM, Cubasis, Beatmaker, Nanostudio, apeMatrix, Loopy Pro, and more! Additionally, with its clear layout and smart resizing, Needlepoint can be used on tablets and phones with ease. (Note for Drambo users: Drambo does not yet have automatic Plugin Delay Compensation for managing plugins with latency. As a result, tracks with Needlepoint will not line up properly with other tracks. An upcoming patch for Drambo will add this feature in.)

About

GRFX

Transform ordinary audio into unique sonic textures, evolving soundscapes, and rhythmic glitches. This app offers precise control over sound manipulation with a unique pitch controller, multiple LFOs, and a flexible multi-effect chain. Create complex and immersive audio transformations in real-time.

Highlights
  • Granular engine for textures and rhythms
  • Harmonic Triangle pitch controller
  • Multi-effect chain with probabilistic routing
  • Four self-modulating LFOs
  • Real-time audio sculpting
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone app
Features
Read full description

GRFX is a powerful and creative granular effects processor that turns ordinary audio into extraordinary sonic landscapes. Slice your sound into grains and reshape them into evolving textures, shimmering chords, rhythmic glitches, haunting drones, and more. At the heart of GRFX is the Harmonic Triangle – an intuitive 3-way pitch controller that lets you morph simple tones into lush pads, arpeggiated patterns, or abstract gestures. Whether you’re aiming for organic soundscapes or synchronized stutters, GRFX gives you precise control over the flow of grains and modulation. Build complexity with four self-modulating LFOs, a multi-effect chain with probabilistic routing, and an elegant drag-and-drop modulation system. Shape your sound, modulate nearly every parameter, and sculpt immersive audio transformations in real time. Key Features: - Granular engine for creating textures, rhythms, chords, glitches, drones, ambiences, and more - Harmonic Triangle for 3-way pitch control, detuning, and microtonality - Built-in Chord Selector with 32 triads for instant harmonic richness - Grain envelope shaping for plucky, smooth, or abrupt grains - Buffer size, division, sync, and freeze controls - Rhythmic synchronization for tempo-synced effects and patterns - 4 LFOs with self-modulation and drag-and-drop assignment - Modulation panel & view mode for streamlined modulation management - 2 Multi-Effect slots (Filter, Distortion, Delay, Peak EQ, Chorus, Phaser, Bitcrusher, Reverb) with probability-based routing - Dedicated Send FX with Delay and Reverb in series or parallel mode - Flexible mixer section for sculpting wet/dry balance and routing AUv3 Audio Unit plugin – requires an AUv3-compatible host app such as Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, or Cubasis. Standalone version included.

Screenshots

Needlepoint4 screens
GRFX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GRFX at 78% against Needlepoint's 50%. GRFX also leads on price ($6.99 vs $9.99). Needlepoint's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Needlepoint costs $9.99 and GRFX $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Needlepoint holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 11 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Needlepoint's written reviews are positive against 78% of GRFX's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Needlepoint ships an update fortnightly, GRFX monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Needlepoint versus GRFX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNeedlepointGRFX
Price$9.99$6.99 — better
Rating4.8 (14 ratings) — better4.6 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better11
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnfiltered AudioImaginando Lda

Customer experience

Needlepoint

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

GRFX

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%

In-app purchases

None

Needlepoint

No in-app purchases

None

GRFX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Needlepoint free?
Needlepoint costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is GRFX free?
GRFX costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Needlepoint or GRFX?
Needlepoint is rated higher. Needlepoint averages 4.8 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while GRFX averages 4.6 from 11 ratings.
Do Needlepoint or GRFX have ads?
Neither Needlepoint nor GRFX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Needlepoint or GRFX?
Needlepoint ships an update fortnightly, and GRFX monthly. Most recently, Needlepoint was updated on October 6, 2026 and GRFX on October 12, 2026.

Other comparisons