Phase Monkey vs Things
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Phase distortion synth engine
- Eight-stage envelopes
- Touch-first interface
- AUv3 plugin support
- Universal Apple purchase
- MIDI controller support
- iCloud preset syncing
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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/
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.
- Dynamic wavefolding
- Envelope follower
- Low-pass and high-pass filters
- Adjustable feedback
- Diode-based circuit inspiration
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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
Verdict
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
Phase Monkey costs $5.99 and Things $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
Phase Monkey ships an update weekly, Things every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Phase Monkey | Things |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (19 ratings) | 5.0 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sketch Audio, LLC | AudioThing Ltd. |
Customer experience
Phase Monkey
Things
In-app purchases
Phase Monkey
No in-app purchases
Things
No in-app purchases








