Comparison

Phase Monkey vs Salome

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

Head to head
About

Phase Monkey

Explore a versatile digital synthesizer inspired by 1980s phase distortion technology. Create a wide range of sounds from warm pads to aggressive basses with its unique engine and eight-stage envelopes. Optimized for touch interaction, it also supports MIDI controllers and runs across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Phase distortion synth engine
  • Eight-stage envelopes
  • Touch-first interface
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Universal Apple purchase
  • MIDI controller support
  • iCloud preset syncing
Read full description

Phase Monkey is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the classic phase distortion synthesizers of the mid-1980s. However, instead of being a direct copy, Phase Monkey presents a fresh take on the classic sound engine, including the rare eight-stage envelopes. The result is a surprisingly versatile digital instrument that can produce anything from warm pads to shimmering leads to snarling basses. Whatever you do, don’t have fun with it! Features: - Focused, fun, and characterful synth engine - Touch-first design, almost the entire screen is part of a control - Runs standalone or as AUv3 plug-in (in compatible host) - Universal purchase on Apple platforms: runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Presets synced across your devices via iCloud - Hook up a MIDI controller to play with a keyboard (optional) Details: - Eight classic phase distortion waveforms - Dedicated modulation oscillator for ring or noise modulation - Three rare eight-stage envelopes - Complex modulation of pitch and timbre possible via envelopes - LFO with five waveforms for classic modulation sounds - Master controls: portamento, random voice pan, onboard chorus, gain - Key behavior modes: poly, monophonic retrig, monophonic legato - Additional MIDI modulation sources: mod wheel, pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch (channel), key follow - Includes 40 highly usable factory presets to get you started making music Check out our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sketchaudio Read the manuals: https://sketchaudio.com/manuals/

About

Salome

This app lets you record or import sounds, transform them into seamless loops, and play them polyphonically using MPE or MIDI controllers. It offers a fast workflow with onscreen keypads and MPE/MIDI input/output for creative sound manipulation.

Highlights
  • Record or import sounds
  • Create seamless loops
  • Polyphonic MPE/MIDI playback
  • Onscreen MPE keypads
  • Latch mode for fader control
  • AUv3 plugin for iOS and macOS
Read full description

Salome is a tool for recording (or importing) sounds, turning them into seamless loops, and then polyphonically play them using MPE or MIDI. CONTROL: The onscreen keypads can be latched, turning them into 2-dimensional faders for controlling various modulations. Additionally, software and hardware MPE controllers can be used (or normal MIDI, in a pinch). WORKFLOW: The entire process from sampling to playing was designed to be a fast and fluid as possible. Speed > features. UNIVERSAL: AUv3 plugins for iOS (iPhone, iPad) and MacOS (ARM, Intel) are included*. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (note that not all hosts support all AU features) - Built-in MPE keypads for multidimensional onscreen control - MPE/MIDI input and output from the Audio Unit, so you can record your performance or even control other MPE synths - 12 mode filter, based on the Oberheim Xpander design - Latch-mode lets you play the instrument using faders - Basic standalone mode included (for connectivity use the AU plugin) - Record or import sounds (WAV, AIF, MP3) and instantly play them as a polyphonic instrument - Effortless seamless loops using the non-destructive X-Fade feature Find the user manual on ruismaker.com * not all MacOS DAWs fully support Audio Unit plugins. This is not a VST plugin.

Screenshots

Phase Monkey3 screens
Salome3 screens

Verdict

The call

Phase Monkey and Salome both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of Salome's written reviews are positive against 71% of Phase Monkey's. Salome also leads on iOS requirement (13 vs 15.0). Phase Monkey's advantage is price ($5.99 vs $7.99). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Phase Monkey costs $5.99 and Salome $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Phase Monkey against 4.7 for Salome. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 30 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of Phase Monkey's written reviews are positive against 82% of Salome's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phase Monkey ships an update weekly, Salome every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on July 16, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Phase Monkey versus Salome: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhase MonkeySalome
Price$5.99 — better$7.99
Rating4.8 (17 ratings) — better4.7 (30 ratings)
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews82.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1730 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS15.013 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSketch Audio, LLCBram Bos

Customer experience

Phase Monkey

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Salome

All ratings30 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral11.8%
Negative5.9%

In-app purchases

None

Phase Monkey

No in-app purchases

None

Salome

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Phase Monkey free?
Phase Monkey costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Salome free?
Salome costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Phase Monkey or Salome?
Phase Monkey is rated higher. Phase Monkey averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Salome averages 4.7 from 30 ratings.
Do Phase Monkey or Salome have ads?
Neither Phase Monkey nor Salome shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Phase Monkey or Salome?
Phase Monkey ships an update weekly, and Salome every 9 days. Most recently, Phase Monkey was updated on July 16, 2026 and Salome on September 18, 2026.

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