Comparison

PolyCyclo vs Epicycle

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

Head to head
About

PolyCyclo

Features
Read full description

Use PolyCyclo as a visual metronome. Set any whole-number tempo from 40 to 240 BPM, find a tempo with Tap, and turn on an independent reference pulse. Watch rhythm take shape as moving points, glowing traces, and polygons. Swipe between rhythms and sound sets, edit the pattern, save favorites with the star, and share a loop as MP4. Without an account or purchase, BPM, Tap Tempo, and the reference pulse are unlimited. Playback, the existing editing controls, star saves, and short watermarked MP4 export (15 seconds at 720p) are also included. Choose from the included selection of rhythms and sound sets. PolyCyclo Studio is an optional, one-time, non-consumable purchase. It unlocks all 312 rhythm presets, all 16 sound sets, watermark-free MP4 export up to 60 seconds at 1080p, and background playback. Restore the purchase any time from Settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Epicycle

Create complex rhythms and polymeters using Euclidean rings on your iPhone or iPad. Explore generative patterns with a built-in sound engine. Unlock advanced features like MIDI output and export for external hardware synchronization.

Highlights
  • Euclidean ring rhythms
  • Up to eight simultaneous tracks
  • Polymeter generation
  • Built-in sound engine
  • Scene saving and launching
  • MIDI out and clock sync
  • .mid file export
Features
Read full description

Epicycle is a MIDI sequencer for iPhone and iPad. Every rhythm is a Euclidean ring, and each track's parameters generate its pattern. Layer rings of different lengths for polymeter, and hear them on the built-in sound engine with no external gear. EUCLIDEAN RINGS Each track is a ring, and you can run up to eight at once. A track's pattern follows from its parameters, so you see the rhythm as a shape. POLYMETER Give tracks different lengths and they play together. Loop-lock protects one track's pattern while you change the others. SCENES Save pattern states as scenes and launch them with quantize. FREE TO PLAY Epicycle is free to download. The full sound engine and every creative feature are free, up to eight tracks, with no time limit. MIDI OUT, CLOCK AND EXPORT A one-time lifetime unlock adds live MIDI out, MIDI clock in and out, and .mid export, so you can drive and sync external hardware and apps. Requires iOS 18 or later. VoiceOver is supported.

Screenshots

PolyCyclo4 screens
Epicycle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Epicycle at every 2 days against PolyCyclo's every 4 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. PolyCyclo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Epicycle sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PolyCyclo ships an update every 4 days, Epicycle every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
PolyCyclo versus Epicycle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPolyCycloEpicycle
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTaichi UmekiOuthaul

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PolyCyclo

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Access14 Days trial$24.991 Year
1 purchases

Epicycle

One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$24.99

Questions

Is PolyCyclo free?
PolyCyclo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Epicycle free?
Epicycle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PolyCyclo or Epicycle have ads?
Neither PolyCyclo nor Epicycle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PolyCyclo or Epicycle?
PolyCyclo ships an update every 4 days, and Epicycle every 2 days. Most recently, PolyCyclo was updated on November 10, 2026 and Epicycle on October 31, 2026.

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