Comparison

PatchLens vs Epicycle

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

Head to head
About

PatchLens

Features
Read full description

Save synth and pedal settings from a photo, then add editable hotspots and recall notes. The demo and 3 patch records stay free; Pro Lifetime is a one-time unlock. PatchLens helps musicians capture hardware synth, pedal, and semi-modular settings as private local patch records. Take or import a photo, mark the knobs and jacks that matter, add values and notes, then search your local patch library later. Optional on-device text recognition can suggest visible panel labels, but you stay in control of every saved value. PatchLens does not require an account, does not upload your photos, and does not promise automatic universal knob or cable detection. Pro Lifetime is a one-time in-app purchase that unlocks the full local patch library, on-device OCR label assist, and recall-sheet sharing. The bundled demo and 3 patch records stay free. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://bonega.ai/patchlens/privacy

About

Epicycle

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

PatchLens4 screens
Epicycle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Epicycle at every 2 days against PatchLens's weekly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PatchLens ships an update weekly, Epicycle every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
PatchLens versus Epicycle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatchLensEpicycle
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 โ€” better18.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size7 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClashware Sร rlOuthaul

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PatchLens

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$4.99
1 purchases

Epicycle

One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$24.99

Questions

Is PatchLens free?
PatchLens is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Epicycle free?
Epicycle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PatchLens or Epicycle have ads?
Neither PatchLens nor Epicycle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PatchLens or Epicycle?
PatchLens ships an update weekly, and Epicycle every 2 days. Most recently, PatchLens was updated on October 24, 2026 and Epicycle on October 14, 2026.

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