Comparison

SquareBeat vs Relic Waves

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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)
Features
Currently charting
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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

SquareBeat4 screens
Relic Waves1 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
SquareBeat versus Relic Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSquareBeatRelic Waves
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.9 (8 ratings)5.0 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings842 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#200 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size114 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJames NavarroAlexander Zolotov

Customer experience

SquareBeat

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Relic Waves

All ratings42 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SquareBeat

One-time1
  • SquareBeat Full Version$12.99
None

Relic Waves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SquareBeat free?
SquareBeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Relic Waves free?
Relic Waves costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SquareBeat or Relic Waves?
Relic Waves is rated higher. SquareBeat averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Relic Waves averages 5.0 from 42 ratings.
Do SquareBeat or Relic Waves have ads?
Neither SquareBeat nor Relic Waves shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SquareBeat or Relic Waves?
SquareBeat ships an update every 3 days, and Relic Waves every 11 months. Most recently, SquareBeat was updated on October 7, 2026 and Relic Waves on October 14, 2026.

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