Comparison

JULY vs ExoSphere

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

Head to head
About

JULY

This app faithfully emulates a classic 1980s polyphonic analog synthesizer. It meticulously models the original's circuits, offering its warm sound and signature chorus effect in a software format. It functions as both an AUv3 plugin and a standalone application.

Highlights
  • Faithful emulation of iconic 1980s polyphonic analog synth
  • Detailed circuit modeling
  • Warm DCO sound
  • Silky filter
  • Unmistakable chorus effect
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone operation
Features
Read full description

JULY is a faithful emulation of one of the most iconic polyphonic analog synthesizers from the early 1980s. We spent months living with the original, studying every quirk and charm, from the warm, steady DCO to the silky filter and that unmistakable chorus, then modeled its circuits in detail to bring its soul into software. Available as AUv3 and Standalone

About

ExoSphere

Create immersive ambient and meditative soundscapes with five independent sound layers. Load your own samples or use the built-in library to craft unique, evolving atmospheres for relaxation or music production.

Highlights
  • Five independent sound layers
  • Customizable sample loading
  • Built-in sample library
  • Preset management
  • Advanced randomizer
  • Standalone and AUv3 support
Features
Read full description

ExoSphere is a creative tool for shaping continuous ambient and meditative compositions, based on five independent sound layers that merge into a seamless atmosphere. It provides an effortless way to create a foundation for ambient tracks or even a complete background piece with minimal adjustments. Designed with slow rhythmic structures in mind, it is especially suited for meditative music and calm soundscapes. At the heart of ExoSphere are five complementary sound elements, each contributing a distinct dimension to the evolving sonic environment: Core - Deep, evolving drones that anchor the listener with resonant low frequencies, creating a grounding presence in the body. Flow - A layer reminiscent of an instrument, voice, or choir that forms the harmonic foundation of the composition. Gentle shifts its color and pitch, creating a subtle drifting detune that feels fluid and alive. Grain - Layers of stretched environmental fragments - whispers of wind, water, and space - that envelop the listener in a textured, atmospheric sense of place. Shard – Fleeting melodic fragments that surface and dissolve unpredictably, like echoes of imagined songs, sparking shifting associations and evoking transient images. Glow - High, sparkling tones that flicker like light on water, bringing brightness, clarity, and a gentle radiance to the soundscape. Together, these layers interweave into a living, breathing composition that never feels static. The result is a continuously shifting atmosphere - equally suitable as a meditative backdrop, a creative foundation for ambient production, or a complete standalone piece. Each layer in ExoSphere is sample-based, giving the user complete freedom to define the sonic palette. You can load your own samples into any of the five layers, tailoring the sound to your personal style and creating highly individual, versatile compositions. For a quick start, ExoSphere also includes a built‑in library of curated samples, offering ready‑to‑use material that can instantly generate immersive atmospheres. ExoSphere offers an easy start with a minimal interface: choose a factory preset and quickly refresh it by replacing samples, adjusting presence and tone. You can create new variations with the advanced randomizer, while detailed panels provide full control for those who want deeper customization. ExoSphere is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). ExoSphere works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, and supports Audiobus and Ableton Link. On MacOS, ExoSphere can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. ExoSphere has a built-in detailed description of all parameters also available as PDF file on the application site. Quick start demo: https://youtu.be/1e2Ds24vXQQ You can find more information on ExoSphere and other creative audio apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com

Screenshots

JULY3 screens
ExoSphere4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ExoSphere at $14.99 against JULY's $19.99. ExoSphere also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 73%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

JULY costs $19.99 and ExoSphere $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for JULY against 4.7 for ExoSphere. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 22 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of JULY's written reviews are positive against 93% of ExoSphere's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JULY ships an update every 6 weeks, ExoSphere every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
JULY versus ExoSphere: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJULYExoSphere
Price$19.99$14.99 — better
Rating4.7 (15 ratings)4.7 (22 ratings)
Positive reviews72.7% of reviews92.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1522 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB257 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAudioThing Ltd.Igor Vasiliev

Customer experience

JULY

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%

ExoSphere

All ratings22 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%

In-app purchases

None

JULY

No in-app purchases

None

ExoSphere

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is JULY free?
JULY costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ExoSphere free?
ExoSphere costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, JULY or ExoSphere?
JULY and ExoSphere are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 15 and 22 ratings respectively.
Do JULY or ExoSphere have ads?
Neither JULY nor ExoSphere shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JULY or ExoSphere?
JULY ships an update every 6 weeks, and ExoSphere every 2 weeks. Most recently, JULY was updated on October 15, 2026 and ExoSphere on October 17, 2026.

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