Comparison

GlassVFX vs SHADR

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

Head to head
About

GlassVFX

Create real-time visual effects, shaders, and interactive experiences using a node graph editor. This tool leverages Apple technologies for a seamless workflow on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, offering over 170 nodes and GPU-powered rendering without requiring any coding.

Highlights
  • Node graph editor
  • Real-time preview
  • 170+ nodes
  • GPU-powered rendering
  • Live camera input
  • Video export up to 4K
Features
Read full description

One ecosystem. One canvas. Connect everything. GlassVFX is a real-time visual effects tool for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, built entirely on Apple technologies. Create visual effects, shaders, and interactive experiences through a node graph editor with a beautiful Liquid Glass interface. Connect nodes, see results instantly. No code required. NODE-BASED WORKFLOW - 170+ nodes: math, effects, rendering, particles, geometry, camera, transforms, and more - Real-time preview — see every change as you make it TAP INTO YOUR DEVICE - Live camera feed as a texture input (front or back) - Audio input with frequency band analysis for reactive visuals - MIDI controller support with note, CC, and pitch bend - CoreML model inference GPU-POWERED - Metal rendering with real-time shader compilation - GPU particle system with gravity, drag, turbulence, and emission shapes - Video export in H.264, HEVC, ProRes 422, and ProRes 4444 up to 4K CREATE AND SHARE - 50+ sample projects to learn from and remix - Subgraphs for organizing complex graphs into reusable components - Export presets for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube aspect ratios - Portable .subjective project format PLATFORMS - Mac: macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later. Apple Silicon recommended. - iPad: iPadOS 18 or later. - iPhone: iOS 18 or later. iPhone 12 or newer. One-time purchase. No subscription. No ads.

About

SHADR

Transform photos and blank canvases into unique visual art with a variety of creative styles. Refine your creations with expressive controls and discover new directions through generative randomization. Export still images or live photos and videos.

Highlights
  • Diverse and evolving collection of creative visual styles
  • Generative randomization for discovering new directions
  • Focused controls for refining composition, color, texture, and movement
  • Still image export at native resolution
  • Live Photo and video output
  • Local projects and reusable presets
Read full description

SHADR is a creative design toolkit for transforming photographs and blank canvases into distinctive visual artwork. Explore a growing collection of styles including ASCII art, dithering, CMYK halftone, pixel stretch, fluted glass, kaleidoscope, flow fields, kinetic typography, shader art, pixel scatter, surveillance graphics, and more. Each style is a focused creative tool inside one consistent editor. Import a photo or begin from a blank canvas where supported, generate new directions, shape the result with expressive controls, and move fluidly between different visual treatments. Features: - A diverse and evolving collection of creative visual styles - Generative randomization for quickly discovering new directions - Focused controls for refining composition, color, texture, and movement - Still image export at native resolution - Live Photo and video output in supported tools - Local projects and reusable presets - Subject-aware treatments in selected tools Five complete tools are available for free. SHADR Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks every current and future tool. Tool parameters, projects, presets, and exports are not restricted.

Screenshots

GlassVFX3 screens
SHADR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SHADR at 5.0 against GlassVFX's 2.0. SHADR also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 months). GlassVFX's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. GlassVFX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SHADR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SHADR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlassVFX ships an update every 3 months, SHADR every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GlassVFX versus SHADR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlassVFXSHADR
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.2 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSXP Studio伟滔 黄

Customer experience

GlassVFX

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

SHADR

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassVFX

One-time1
  • Subjective Pro$9.99
1 purchases

SHADR

One-time1
  • SHADR Pro$9.99

Questions

Is GlassVFX free?
GlassVFX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SHADR free?
SHADR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GlassVFX or SHADR?
SHADR is rated higher. GlassVFX averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SHADR averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do GlassVFX or SHADR have ads?
Neither GlassVFX nor SHADR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GlassVFX or SHADR?
GlassVFX ships an update every 3 months, and SHADR every 2 days. Most recently, GlassVFX was updated on October 2, 2026 and SHADR on October 9, 2026.

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