# GrainHeads vs Helinaut

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Helinaut at none against GrainHeads's 10. GrainHeads's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GrainHeads sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Helinaut asks for nothing beyond the download.

GrainHeads ships an update every 5 days, Helinaut fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | GrainHeads | Helinaut |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grainheads/id6760582834/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **14** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Andrei Nevar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885164055) | [Peutnon OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/6785997335) |

## What reviewers say

### GrainHeads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grainheads/id6760582834)

Transform any sound into unique textures and evolving sonic landscapes. This granular synthesizer offers deep control over individual sound grains, complex modulation, and a powerful step sequencer for experimental music creation.

**Highlights:** Multi-source granular engine, Shape individual grains with envelopes, Summing modulation matrix, Step sequencer with parameter lanes, Macros for expressive control, Re-routable effects chain

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Event Horizon | $3.99 | one-time |
| Arrakis | $3.99 | one-time |
| Solaris | $3.99 | one-time |
| Protomolecule | $3.99 | one-time |
| Heptapod | $3.99 | one-time |
| Tannhäuser | $3.99 | one-time |
| Rama | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ansible | $3.99 | one-time |
| Unlock GrainHeads Pro | $11.99 | one-time |
| The Archive | $24.99 | one-time |


### Helinaut

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helinaut/id6785997333)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GrainHeads free?

GrainHeads is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Helinaut free?

Helinaut is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do GrainHeads or Helinaut have ads?

Neither GrainHeads nor Helinaut shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GrainHeads or Helinaut?

GrainHeads ships an update every 5 days, and Helinaut fortnightly. Most recently, GrainHeads was updated on October 31, 2026 and Helinaut on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*