GlassVFX vs SHADR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Node graph editor
- Real-time preview
- 170+ nodes
- GPU-powered rendering
- Live camera input
- Video export up to 4K
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- 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 descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | GlassVFX | SHADR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SXP Studio | 伟滔 黄 |
Customer experience
GlassVFX
SHADR
In-app purchases
GlassVFX
- Subjective Pro$9.99
SHADR
- SHADR Pro$9.99









