Comparison

Solderbox vs Circa Looper

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

Head to head
About

Solderbox

This app is a compact, semi-modular synthesizer designed for generative music creation. It offers a comprehensive set of modular functions, aiming for analog-like sound and behavior with unique digital effects and an 'Instability Engine' for organic fluctuations.

Highlights
  • Generative synthesis tools
  • Analog-like sound emulation
  • Instability Engine for organic fluctuations
  • Audio Unit (AUv3) compatibility
  • Built-in Pulsequencer melody generator
  • Multiple filter modes
  • Stackable patch cables
Features
Read full description

Solderbox is a compact semimodular synthesizer, made in collaboration with Jakob Haq. It is heavily based on Jakob's own modular rack design (which features a lot of modules made by hand). The app is designed to offer a set of modular functions that is both comprehensive and eclectic, including several tools for generative synthesis, random signals and the surgical mangling of audio waves and modulation signals. A lot of effort went into making everything sound and behave as analog as digitally possible (with the exception of the unashamedly digital Entropy lo-fi effect processor). Additionally, the built-in Instability Engine injects the subtle fluctuations simulating the effects of crosstalk, leaky signals and expired electrical components. This is a living instrument with a soul of its own. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect) - Universal design (iPhone, iPad, MacOS AUv3) - Built-in Pulsequencer (LFO-based generative melody generator with custom scales) - 4 mode Low-pass filter (6, 12, 18, 24 dB) - 3 voice polyphony - Drone mode - Stackable patch cables - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com

About

Circa Looper

A powerful multi-channel looping instrument for iPad, designed for musicians and producers. It offers six independent stereo loop layers, deep modulation, precision syncing, and built-in effects for creating complex patterns and evolving soundscapes. Its touch-friendly interface allows for hands-on creative control and seamless DAW integration.

Highlights
  • Six independent stereo loop layers
  • Deep modulation control
  • Precision syncing
  • Built-in reverb and delay
  • Touch-friendly interface
  • Full MIDI mapping
  • Drag-and-drop audio export
Read full description

IMPORTANT: Circa is an AUv3 plugin. It requires an AUv3 host such as AUM (recommended), Garageband, Logic, or Cubase. It will not run on its own. Circa is a six-layer stereo looping instrument for iPad, built for players and producers who want a looper that does more than loop. Each layer is independent, fully modulatable, and deeply controllable, with a touch-first interface designed for live performance and studio exploration alike.Inspired by modern loopers like the BOSS RC-505 and MLRE on the Monome Norns, Circa pairs the playability of a hardware looper with the routing and modulation of a serious production tool. Capture a spontaneous take, carve it up with slices, pitch it, scrub it, route it through built-in effects, and let gesture recorders play your UI back like a second instrument. SIX LAYERS Six independent stereo loop layers, each with its own transport, sync mode, trigger mode, filter, and effect sends. Layers can sync to the host, sync to a master loop, or run free. Triggers can fire on sync, on audio input, or freely. Record from the stereo input or self-record through an internal buss for feedback loops and generative behavior. TOUCH-FIRST PERFORMANCE Dedicated pages for Speeds and Positions let you perform loops with your hands. The position strip can be divided into slices for chopped playback. Speed, position, filter, and sends are all continuous and playable. Damper, scrub, and slice controls are built for tactile manipulation, not mouse input. GESTURE RECORDERS Six UI loopers that record and play back your actual control movements. Almost every parameter in Circa can be captured as a gesture, then looped or played as a one-shot. Trim silence from the front, toggle loop mode, or fire gestures from MIDI. Build evolving performances without touching the interface twice. MODULATION Deep modulation across the plugin. Continuous targets include layer delay and reverb sends, output levels, A/B selectors, play position, and more. Momentary targets cover mute, solo, and toggle states. Assign multiple modulators to any target and build performances that develop on their own. FULL MIDI CONTROL A complete MIDI controller system with continuous, momentary, and hold assignments. Use any controller to drive most of Circa's functions. MIDI modulation assignments light up briefly when triggered, so you can see your rig working at a glance. BUILT-IN EFFECTS Studio-grade reverb, delay, parametric EQ, and compressor drawn from Audio Damage's effect library. Send any layer to reverb and delay independently, then route through the stereo bus EQ and compressor on the way out. SEVEN OUTPUTS Six assignable stereo outputs plus a dedicated cue output. Send any layer to any output. Solo, record, and edit through the cue bus without the audience hearing. CROSS-PLATFORM PRESETS Circa's user presets are XML-based and cross-platform. A preset made on iOS opens on macOS, Windows, or Linux, and vice versa. Sessions built in GarageBand or Logic on iOS open on desktop if you have a license to the desktop version. WHAT'S INCLUDED Six independent stereo loop layers Slice-based position playback Gesture recorders for UI automation Continuous and momentary modulation system Full MIDI controller mapping Built-in reverb, delay, EQ, and compressor Six assignable stereo outputs plus cue Cross-platform XML preset format AUv3 plugin for iPad Also available as a desktop plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP formats at audiodamage.com.

Screenshots

Solderbox3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Solderbox at 90% against Circa Looper's 33%. Solderbox also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and device support (4 vs 1). Circa Looper's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $12.99) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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

Solderbox costs $12.99 and Circa Looper $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Solderbox holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Solderbox's written reviews are positive against 33% of Circa Looper's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solderbox ships an update every 6 weeks, Circa Looper every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Solderbox versus Circa Looper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolderboxCirca Looper
Price$12.99$7.99 — better
Rating5.0 (27 ratings) — better4.6 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings27 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPad
Requires iOS1312.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

Solderbox

All ratings27 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Circa Looper

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

Solderbox

No in-app purchases

None

Circa Looper

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Solderbox free?
Solderbox costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Circa Looper free?
Circa Looper costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Solderbox or Circa Looper?
Solderbox is rated higher. Solderbox averages 5.0 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Circa Looper averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.
Do Solderbox or Circa Looper have ads?
Neither Solderbox nor Circa Looper shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Solderbox or Circa Looper?
Solderbox ships an update every 6 weeks, and Circa Looper every 3 weeks. Most recently, Solderbox was updated on September 23, 2026 and Circa Looper on June 11, 2026.

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