SquareBeat vs Relic Waves
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Relic Waves
Generate unique Lo-Fi sounds, pads, and effects using advanced synthesis algorithms. Explore billions of sonic possibilities with intuitive controls and real-time recording. Perfect for musicians and sound designers seeking experimental audio.
- Billions of unique Lo-Fi sounds
- Random sound generation with search
- Multiple keyboard input options
- Real-time audio recording to WAV
- Export to WAV, SunVox, and clipboard
- MIDI control and processing
- iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3)
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Relic Waves is a generator of Lo-Fi noises, pads and effects based on unique synthesis algorithms from NightRadio. More than 4 billion samples from the depths of the Mathematical Universe! Features: * search for new sounds with three buttons: next random set, edit code, previous set; each set of 12 sounds corresponds to a code of 8 characters; * three types of keyboards for live performing: on-screen buttons, PC keyboard, MIDI input; * several processing parameters + control via MIDI; * real-time audio recording to WAV (32-bit); * export to: WAV (one file or a set), SunVox (samples + effects in one file), text clipboard; * the LCK button freezes individual samples - they will not change during the search for new sets; * iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Double clicking on a parameter opens a window for setting the exact value. If you enable the Hold option, the notes will play endlessly, without reacting to key release (noteOff) events; turning the note on again works like turning it off; there are two ways to enable this option: 1) using the Hold parameter in the "MIDI Mapping" window; 2) by pressing the HOLD button, which appears in place of LCK while playing the musical keyboard: press HOLD, release the desired notes - then the released notes will continue to play.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SquareBeat at Free against Relic Waves's $1.99. SquareBeat also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 11 months). Relic Waves's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On rating, ads and device support 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
SquareBeat is free to download; Relic Waves costs $1.99 up front. SquareBeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Relic Waves asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for SquareBeat against 5.0 for Relic Waves. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Relic Waves has 42 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of SquareBeat's written reviews are positive against 100% of Relic Waves's.
SquareBeat ships an update every 3 days, Relic Waves every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SquareBeat | Relic Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (42 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 42 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 11 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #200 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 114 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | James Navarro | Alexander Zolotov |
Customer experience
SquareBeat
Relic Waves
In-app purchases
SquareBeat
- SquareBeat Full Version$12.99
Relic Waves
No in-app purchases








