Comparison

Gradient Synth vs Relic Flow

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

Head to head
About

Gradient Synth

Transform colors into unique sounds with this intuitive music creation app. Designed for beginners and children, it offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features to explore and customize a wide range of audio experiences.

Highlights
  • Preset Generator
  • Color-based sound customization
  • User-friendly interface
  • MIDI keyboard integration
  • Dynamic audio effects
  • Polyphony
Features
Read full description

** TRANSFORM COLORS INTO SOUNDS ** Designed with beginners in mind, our app makes exploring music fun and intuitive for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or introducing your child to music, Gradient Synth offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features to help you create and perform unique sounds effortlessly. Now free to download, Gradient Synth invites everyone to explore sound and create at their own pace. ** CREATE YOUR IDEAL SOUND WITH THE NEW PRESET GENERATOR ** Type what you want to hear, and Gradient Synth’s Preset Generator transforms your description into customizable instrument settings. This innovative tool simplifies sound design, allowing you to focus on your creativity without a steep learning curve. Experience the magic of turning your ideas into music with just a few taps. ** EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY ** Explore a wide range of sounds, from calm and soothing to bold and experimental. Customize your tones by changing colors, enhancing both your auditory and visual creative processes. Let your imagination flow seamlessly with Gradient Synth, your gateway to endless musical possibilities. ** HERE IS WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY ** "I believe in Gradient Synth!" - TONY G. "I feel like Mozart." - HANNAH R. "I like to change the colors." - SHEPHERD O., Age 5 ** FEATURES ** Preset Generator & Control • Type your desired sound and let the app create unique instrument settings. • Customize and refine presets to match your style. • Over 50 starter presets to inspire your first creations. • Color picker for personalized sound experiences. • Deep customization editor for perfecting your sounds. User-Friendly Interface • Tap or press the gradient to start making music instantly. • Interactive text display provides real-time feedback and learning. • Simple mode ideal for kids and beginners. Advanced Control • Play up to 4 notes simultaneously with polyphony. • Seamlessly integrate with MIDI keyboards and your favorite DAWs. • Connect wirelessly to Bluetooth MIDI devices. Dynamic Effects • Choose from reverb, delay, saturation, bitcrush, chorus, and low pass filter. • Easily adjust effect settings with XY pad and fader controls. • Add movement and depth with the Tone Animator. ** WHY GRADIENT SYNTH? ** • Innovative Preset Generator: Create and customize sounds effortlessly by describing what you want to hear. • Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for those new to music creation, fostering creativity and confidence. • Vibrant Visuals: Enhance your music experience with color-based sound customization. • Comprehensive Features: From basic controls to advanced MIDI compatibility and effects, everything you need to start your musical journey. ** JOIN OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY ** Share your creations with friends and explore endless creative possibilities together. Download Gradient Synth now and begin your musical journey today! If you love our app, please rate us on the App Store—your feedback helps us grow and improve! ** ADDITIONAL FEATURES ** • Customizable display for a personalized setup. • Favorite preset mode for quick access to your top sounds. • Engaging visualizer for an immersive experience. • Overtone fader and ADSR envelope control for precise sound shaping. • Note Editor to adjust the scale of the gradient. • Drag to re-pitch with an easy toggle option. • Note guide overlay for effortless navigation. • Save and name your custom presets. • Left-hand edit mode for enhanced usability. • MIDI CC Control for expanded functionality. • Synesthesia exploration blending visual and auditory creativity. ** GET STARTED TODAY ** Transform your sound design experience with Gradient Synth. Download now and use our Preset Generator to create and perform music like never before! Previous purchases are honored with Lifetime Ownership. Support: http://manual.gradientsynth.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Relic Flow

Generate unique Lo-Fi rhythms, noise patterns, and drum loops using advanced synthesis algorithms. Explore billions of sound samples with intuitive controls and real-time audio recording. Perfect for musicians and sound designers seeking endless creative possibilities.

Highlights
  • Lo-Fi rhythm and drum loop generation
  • Billions of unique sound samples
  • Real-time audio recording to WAV
  • Multiple input methods (on-screen, PC keyboard, MIDI)
  • Export to WAV, SunVox, and text clipboard
  • iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
Features
Read full description

Relic Flow is a generator of Lo-Fi rhythms, noise patterns and drum loops 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

Gradient Synth4 screens
Relic Flow2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Gradient Synth at Free against Relic Flow's $1.99. Gradient Synth also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 17 months). Relic Flow's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (93% vs 63%). On ratings volume, 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

Gradient Synth is free to download; Relic Flow costs $1.99 up front. Gradient Synth sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Relic Flow asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Relic Flow holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 54 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Gradient Synth's written reviews are positive against 93% of Relic Flow's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gradient Synth ships an update monthly, Relic Flow every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Gradient Synth versus Relic Flow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGradient SynthRelic Flow
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.4 (54 ratings)4.8 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews93.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings54 — better26
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperApps Are Fun LLCAlexander Zolotov

Customer experience

Gradient Synth

All ratings54 ratings
Positive85.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative33.3%

Relic Flow

All ratings26 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Gradient Synth

Subscriptions2
  • Gradient Synth Supporter (Yearly)1 Year trial$9.991 Year
  • Unlimited Presets$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • 10 Presets$0.99
  • 75 Presets$4.99
  • Lifetime Unlock$12.99
None

Relic Flow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Gradient Synth free?
Gradient Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Relic Flow free?
Relic Flow costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Gradient Synth or Relic Flow?
Relic Flow is rated higher. Gradient Synth averages 4.4 out of 5 from 54 ratings, while Relic Flow averages 4.8 from 26 ratings.
Do Gradient Synth or Relic Flow have ads?
Neither Gradient Synth nor Relic Flow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gradient Synth or Relic Flow?
Gradient Synth ships an update monthly, and Relic Flow every 17 months. Most recently, Gradient Synth was updated on September 18, 2026 and Relic Flow on September 17, 2026.

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