Comparison

Relic Waves vs plugdata

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

Head to head
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
Read full description

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.

About

plugdata

This app provides a visual programming environment for audio experimentation, prototyping, and education. It allows users to create and run audio patches on their mobile devices, enabling creative sound design on the go.

Highlights
  • Visual programming environment
  • Audio experimentation
  • Prototyping
  • Educational tool
  • Standalone application
  • Audio plugins
Features
Read full description

plugdata is visual programming environment for audio experimentation, prototyping and education. With plugdata for iOS, you can bring your plugdata patches with you everywhere you go. This app ships with a standalone application and audio plugins.

Screenshots

Relic Waves1 screens
plugdata2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: plugdata at Free against Relic Waves's $1.99. plugdata also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 11 months). Relic Waves's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (100% vs 63%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

plugdata is free to download; Relic Waves costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Relic Waves holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 17 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Relic Waves's written reviews are positive against 63% of plugdata's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Relic Waves ships an update every 11 months, plugdata every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Relic Waves versus plugdata: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRelic Wavesplugdata
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (42 ratings) — better4.4 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better63.2% of reviews
Number of ratings42 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#181 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB147 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ZolotovTimothy Schoen

Customer experience

Relic Waves

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

plugdata

All ratings17 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive63.2%
Neutral15.8%
Negative21.1%

In-app purchases

None

Relic Waves

No in-app purchases

None

plugdata

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Relic Waves free?
Relic Waves costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is plugdata free?
plugdata is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Relic Waves or plugdata?
Relic Waves is rated higher. Relic Waves averages 5.0 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while plugdata averages 4.4 from 17 ratings.
Do Relic Waves or plugdata have ads?
Neither Relic Waves nor plugdata shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Relic Waves or plugdata?
Relic Waves ships an update every 11 months, and plugdata every 3 months. Most recently, Relic Waves was updated on October 2, 2026 and plugdata on September 30, 2026.

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