Comparison

Neo vs Clockworks

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

Head to head
About

Neo

Explore chromatic harmony and chord connections using Neo-Riemannian theory. This app visualizes chord relationships through smooth voice leading and offers a built-in theory reference.

Highlights
  • Explore 24 major/minor triads
  • Apply six Neo-Riemannian operations
  • Hear continuous voice leading
  • Five sound presets
  • Built-in theory reference
Features
Read full description

Explore the hidden geometry of chromatic harmony through Neo-Riemannian Theory — an elegant mathematical framework for understanding how major and minor chords connect through smooth voice leading. TAP ANY CHORD Touch any of the 24 major and minor triads arranged in the Cube Dance. Watch the chord light up and hear it ring out as a sustained pad. APPLY TRANSFORMATIONS Six Neo-Riemannian operations (L, P, R, N, H, S) connect chords by moving one or two voices by a semitone. Each button shows you the target chord before you tap it. CONTINUOUS VOICE LEADING The audio engine keeps common tones sustained and moves only the voices that change. Choose from five sound presets: Rhodes, Strings, Choir, Organ, or Synth Pad. THEORY REFERENCE The built-in Theory tab explains every operation with voice-movement diagrams, hexatonic cycles, Weitzmann regions, and academic references from Riemann (1893) to Douthett & Steinbach (1998). Perfect for music theory students, composers, and anyone fascinated by the mathematics of harmony.

About

Clockworks

Create complex polyrhythms visually by layering geometric shapes on a clockface. Explore diverse instruments, scales, and effects to generate intricate musical patterns without needing music theory knowledge. Export your creations as MIDI, audio, or sheet music.

Highlights
  • Visual polyrhythm creation
  • Layered shape system
  • 10 sampled instruments
  • Built-in drum kits
  • Dozens of scales
  • Scene-based arrangement
  • Export to MIDI, WAV, PDF
Features
Read full description

Clockworks turns rhythm into geometry. Build polyrhythms by layering rotating shapes on a clockface — each shape's sides become evenly-spaced beats, so a triangle and a pentagon played together weave intricate cross-rhythms with zero math. • Layer multiple shapes, each its own voice • 10 instruments — sampled piano, e-piano, guitars, plus synth keys, organ, marimba, vibes and more • Built-in drum kits with a step sequencer • Dozens of scales across many categories for instant melodic results • Scene-based arrangement to evolve your loop over time • Pro FX: 3-band EQ and BPM-synced echo • Export to MIDI, audio (WAV), or sheet music PDF No theory required — just add shapes and listen.

Screenshots

Neo4 screens
Clockworks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Clockworks at Free against Neo's $2.99. Clockworks also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On ratings volume, 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

Clockworks is free to download; Neo costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Clockworks holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Neo versus Clockworks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNeoClockworks
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin AdlerDylan Cantor

Customer experience

Neo

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Clockworks

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Neo

No in-app purchases

None

Clockworks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Neo free?
Neo costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Clockworks free?
Clockworks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Neo or Clockworks?
Clockworks is rated higher. Neo averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Clockworks averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Neo or Clockworks have ads?
Neither Neo nor Clockworks shows ads.

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