Comparison

Phase Monkey vs Things

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
Features
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

Things

This dynamic wavefolder plugin offers subtle to extreme saturation, inspired by classic diode-based circuits. It features an envelope follower, filters, and adjustable feedback for diverse sound design.

Highlights
  • Dynamic wavefolding
  • Envelope follower
  • Low-pass and high-pass filters
  • Adjustable feedback
  • Diode-based circuit inspiration
Features
Read full description

Things - Fold is a versatile wavefolder plugin designed for both subtle and extreme dynamic saturation. Inspired by the legendary Serge Wave Multipliers, known for their classic diode-based circuit design, Fold combines wavefolding with an envelope follower, low-pass and high-pass filters, and adjustable feedback. This combination allows for a wide range of creative sound design possibilities, from gentle harmonics to crunchy distorted sounds.

Screenshots

Phase Monkey3 screens
Things1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phase Monkey at weekly against Things's every 9 months. Phase Monkey also leads on price ($5.99 vs $6.99). Things's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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

Phase Monkey costs $5.99 and Things $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Things holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Phase Monkey's written reviews are positive against 75% of Things's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phase Monkey ships an update weekly, Things every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Phase Monkey versus Things: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhase MonkeyThings
Price$5.99 — better$6.99
Rating4.8 (19 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19 — better13
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSketch Audio, LLCAudioThing Ltd.

Customer experience

Phase Monkey

All ratings19 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Things

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Phase Monkey

No in-app purchases

None

Things

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Phase Monkey free?
Phase Monkey costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Things free?
Things costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Phase Monkey or Things?
Things is rated higher. Phase Monkey averages 4.8 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Things averages 5.0 from 13 ratings.
Do Phase Monkey or Things have ads?
Neither Phase Monkey nor Things shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Phase Monkey or Things?
Phase Monkey ships an update weekly, and Things every 9 months. Most recently, Phase Monkey was updated on October 24, 2026 and Things on October 24, 2026.

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