Comparison

Etherpad vs PatchMap

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

Head to head
About

Etherpad

Create evolving soundscapes and ambient textures with an intuitive touch-based music synthesizer. Explore generative music without needing music theory, perfect for relaxation or creative expression.

Highlights
  • Multi-touch synthesis
  • Multiple sound presets
  • Visual particle effects
  • Effect overlays
  • Scale selection
  • Landscape & portrait modes
  • Low-latency audio
Features
Read full description

Etherpad is an expressive touch-based music synthesis instrument for iPhone, iPad and your Mac. Sweep your fingers across the screen to create evolving soundscapes, ambient drones, and generative textures. (AUv3 Beta support) Powered by the legendary Csound audio engine, Etherpad turns your device into a portable synthesizer that responds to every touch with rich, organic sound. No music theory required — just touch, listen, and explore. KEY FEATURES • Multi-touch synthesis — Each finger controls pitch and timbre independently • Distinct Soundscapes — Switch between evolving pad sounds and textures • Reactive Visuals — ripples, trails, rings, and column glow respond to every touch • 14 evolving sounds — from lush pads to Glass Choir, PWM Pad, and Morphwave • Advanced Scales & Tuning — Break out of standard keys and explore the Bohlen-Pierce scale, overtone series, pentatonics, and more • Jam Sessions — Load your own audio tracks directly into the app and play along with your creative flow • MIDI 2.0 — per-note expression and full MIDI support for connected controllers (Beta) • AUv3 plug-in — play Etherpad inside Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other hosts (Beta) • Ultra Low-latency audio — Built on Csound, the industry-standard audio engine PERFECT FOR • Ambient and drone musicians • Meditation and relaxation • Beginners exploring sound synthesis • Live performers and improvisers • Sound designers and experimental composers • Anyone curious about generative music Website: https://etherpad.app Touch the surface. Hear the universe.

About

PatchMap

Features
Read full description

PatchMap is the fast, structured way for Eurorack players to document, search, and recreate their patches. Stop relying on blurry phone photos and scattered notes — capture every connection in seconds and find any patch later. Fast Patch Recording Pick a module, mark an output and an input, and save the connection. Logging a full patch takes seconds, not minutes, so you can document a great sound before it slips away. Your Module Library Build a library of your rack's modules once and reuse it for every patch. Add modules with their HP, type, and I/O so your records stay accurate and consistent. Powerful Search Search your entire patch history by module name, tag, or date. The good patch you made last month is always one tap away. Signal Flow Visualization See each patch as a clean connection diagram — modules laid out with color-coded cables — so you can understand the routing at a glance and recreate it exactly. Tags & Notes Organize patches with tags like ambient, percussion, or drone, and add text notes to capture settings, knob positions, and ideas. Shareable Patch Cards Generate a clean patch card image and share it to Instagram, Reddit, or with friends in one tap. Privacy First PatchMap works completely offline. No account, no cloud, no data collection. Everything stays on your device. Built for modular synth players with mid-to-large systems who patch often and want to remember every great sound.

Screenshots

Etherpad4 screens
PatchMap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Etherpad at 3 against PatchMap's 1. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Etherpad versus PatchMap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEtherpadPatchMap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (21 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDinesh Yadav晓 郭

In-app purchases

None

Etherpad

No in-app purchases

None

PatchMap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Etherpad free?
Etherpad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PatchMap free?
PatchMap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Etherpad or PatchMap have ads?
Neither Etherpad nor PatchMap shows ads.

Other comparisons