Comparison

Prism MIDI Sequencer vs Polyrhythm Explorer

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

Head to head
About

Prism MIDI Sequencer

This app is a powerful 16-track MIDI step sequencer designed for iOS devices. It allows users to create complex musical patterns with high resolution, elastic timing, and per-step control. It integrates with external synths and samplers, offering extensive features for melody, harmony, and drum sequencing.

Highlights
  • 16-track AUv3 MIDI step sequencer
  • High resolution and elastic timing
  • Per-step control and step FX
  • Scale modes and flow modes for tonal tracks
  • 16 mini-sequencers per drum track
  • LFOs, arpeggiator, and generative tools
  • Scene and mute profile performance modes
Read full description

Prism is a 16-track AUv3 MIDI step sequencer for iPhone and iPad that turns sparks of inspiration into living, breathing music. It’s built for touch and flow—pair it with your favorite synths, samplers, drum apps, and gear. Key Features ------------- [ Sequencing Engine ] ---------------------- - High resolution: 1/32 steps, up to 512 trigs/pattern, swing, polyphony, micro-timing per step - Elastic timing: per-sequence lengths plus smooth speed changes for real polyrhythm/polymeter - Per-step control: parameter locks and Step FX - Playback modes: Standard, Overlap, Trig Legato, Drone - Capture everything: live record with quantize, retroactive recording (always listening), and tap-in steps - Human feel & probability: Chance, Every, Hold, Range, Accent [ Tonal Tracks (Melody & Harmony) ] ------------------------------------ - Always in key: scale modes across the app (use built-in scales or create your own) - Note input modes: Poly, Chord Simple, Chord Multi, Chord Blocks - Flow modes (musical logic): Standard, Peek, Echo, Melt, Mirror - Per-Trig Step FX: Velocity, Pitch, Ratchet, Strum - Multi-Seq: 4 independent sequencers per tonal track to weave interlocking parts - Import and edit .MIDI files [ Drum Tracks (Kits & Samplers) ] ---------------------------------- - 16 mini-sequencers per drum track with independent settings, FX, and controls - Modular linking, advanced layering, and Drum↔Tone interactions for shared timing tricks - Drum profiles for fast kit routing and universal connectivity - Per-Trig Step FX (drum): Velocity, Length, Ratchet, Flam [ Modulation, Generative & Creative Tools ] ------------------------------------------- - 6 LFOs per track (track-tied and CC-tied) for tempo-synced movement and evolving patterns - Per-track/pattern 16-step Arpeggiator—from classic to experimental - Harmonizer and Hue Sequencer for chord color and phrase rotation - Tape-style MIDI Slicer & Looper (per track/pattern) for instant remixing - Smart randomizers: one-tap generation for drum patterns, sequences, and fx. [ Performance, Workflow & UI ] ------------------------------ - Scenes, mute profiles, and bar looper to play, capture, and perform. - Fast edits: copy, paste, multi-select, quick duplicate - Multi-touch keypad matrix & sequencer for hands-on control - Light & Dark themes - Host-aware saving (internal presets + AUv3 state) [ Hardware & Host Integration ] ------------------------------- - Deep, bi-directional control for Novation Launchpad (Pro, Mk3, Mini, X) and Launchkey Mini MK4 with LED feedback & mappings - External MIDI in/out/thru, per-track channel routing - AUv3 works in leading hosts (e.g., AUM, Logic Pro for iPad) [ Timing & Specs ] ------------------- - High-precision engine: 480 PPQN for tight playback at any tempo - iPhone & iPad AUv3 (MIDI-only; no built-in sounds) ---------- Find more info at sites.google.com/view/prism-midi-sequencer/home Happy creating, y’all. —A Mortal Mage

About

Polyrhythm Explorer

Learn and master complex rhythmic patterns with interactive guides and visual tools. Explore polyrhythms through written lessons, video tutorials, and customizable sound options. Ideal for musicians of all levels seeking to deepen their rhythmic understanding.

Highlights
  • Written guides and video tutorials
  • Linear and Grid Layout Modes
  • Voice Count for isolated rhythms
  • Customizable sounds (drums, keyboard)
  • Polymeter visualization
  • Sample-accurate timing
  • Full-Screen Mode
Features
Read full description

Master Polyrhythms with Ease—No Prior Knowledge Needed... Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, Polyrhythm Explorer provides you with everything you need to understand and master polyrhythms. 
Polyrhythm Explorer features: 
- Written guides and video tutorials teach you what polyrhythms are and how to understand a polyrhythm step-by-step. 
- Linear and Grid Layout Modes: Easily visualize how two rhythms interact with each other in a polyrhythm. See how the rhythms relate to help you understand them. - Voice Count: Isolate one rhythm or the other in a polyrhythm and hear it counted out loud. 
- Full-Screen Mode: Hide controls for an immersive, focused learning experience. Perfect for creating videos teaching polyrhythms. - Customizable Sounds: Experience polyrhythms on a drum kit or as melodic keyboard patterns. 

- Polymeters: With subdivisions on, you can hear a polyrhythm as a polymeter. - Sample-accurate timing. Can be used as a metronome. - Seamless Integration with PolyNome --- 
Polyrhythm Explorer is the perfect companion to PolyNome (also available on the App Store). 
Export polyrhythms to PolyNome to view them as notation or circular visuals.
PolyNome also supports 3-way polyrhythms and offers numerous features beyond polyrhythms. 
Start Your Rhythmic Journey Today! Transform your musical skills and explore the complexity of rhythms with Polyrhythm Explorer.

Screenshots

Prism MIDI Sequencer4 screens
Polyrhythm Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Polyrhythm Explorer at $4.99 against Prism MIDI Sequencer's $19.99. Polyrhythm Explorer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5). Prism MIDI Sequencer's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Prism MIDI Sequencer costs $19.99 and Polyrhythm Explorer $4.99 up front. Prism MIDI Sequencer sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Polyrhythm Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Prism MIDI Sequencer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 12 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 86% of Prism MIDI Sequencer's written reviews are positive against 88% of Polyrhythm Explorer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Prism MIDI Sequencer ships an update every 2 weeks, Polyrhythm Explorer every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Prism MIDI Sequencer versus Polyrhythm Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrism MIDI SequencerPolyrhythm Explorer
Price$19.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.8 (33 ratings) — better4.5 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings33 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTyler QuatraroPolyNome Ltd

Customer experience

Prism MIDI Sequencer

All ratings33 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative9.5%

Polyrhythm Explorer

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Prism MIDI Sequencer

One-time5
  • LFO Extension$4.99
  • Step FX$4.99
  • Multi-Sequencer [Tone Tracks]$4.99
Show 2 more
  • Launchkey Mini MK4 Control$4.99
  • Euclidean Sequencer Extension$4.99
None

Polyrhythm Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Prism MIDI Sequencer free?
Prism MIDI Sequencer costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Polyrhythm Explorer free?
Polyrhythm Explorer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Prism MIDI Sequencer or Polyrhythm Explorer?
Prism MIDI Sequencer is rated higher. Prism MIDI Sequencer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while Polyrhythm Explorer averages 4.5 from 12 ratings.
Do Prism MIDI Sequencer or Polyrhythm Explorer have ads?
Neither Prism MIDI Sequencer nor Polyrhythm Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Prism MIDI Sequencer or Polyrhythm Explorer?
Prism MIDI Sequencer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Polyrhythm Explorer every 8 days. Most recently, Prism MIDI Sequencer was updated on October 14, 2026 and Polyrhythm Explorer on October 8, 2026.

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