Comparison

Fishtail vs EchoSketch

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

Head to head
About

Fishtail

This app generates complete musical forms using algorithmic composition based on music theory. Users can shape, perform, and rearrange these compositions, routing seven musical channels to their chosen instruments via MIDI. It offers extensive control over keys, modes, and expressive elements.

Highlights
  • Algorithmic music generation
  • Multi-section compositions
  • Seven-channel MIDI output
  • Retain, reorder, and perform Takes
  • Multiple intonation systems
  • AUv3 MIDI plug-in support
  • Ableton Link integration
Features
Read full description

Fishtail is a generative MIDI instrument for iPhone and iPad. It composes complete musical forms, then lets you shape, perform, retain and rearrange them! Explore six composers, including Lumière’s evolving modal colour and Ritual Engine’s rhythmic energy. Roll D7 for a shaped recipe, then Generate and edit it. Fishtail does not use AI to generate music. Its musical output is created through algorhythmic generation grounded in musical theory. Build pieces from sections with independent keys, modes, meters, cadences and expressive treatments. Generate distinct Takes, compare them, reorder them and hand the next Take over at a natural whole-piece boundary. Fishtail produces MIDI rather than sound. Use it standalone or as an AUv3 MIDI plug-in, and route its seven musical channels to the instruments you choose. Ableton Link supports shared tempo and transport. Features: • Complete multi-section generative compositions • Seven-channel MIDI output • Retain, reorder and perform Takes • Seven intonation systems • Normal MIDI, pitch-bend and MPE output • MTS output • Ableton Link • .fishtail project save and recall • Standard MIDI and per-channel export • Experimental analogue CV file packages • Accessible light and dark interfaces No account, advertising, analytics or tracking. Tested in AUM

About

EchoSketch

Shape delay and reverb effects in real-time with a playable X/Y performance surface. Explore four distinct delay types and multiple reverb options, with extensive parameter control for unique sound morphing. Works as a standalone app or an Audio Unit plugin.

Highlights
  • X/Y performance surface for real-time sound shaping
  • Four distinct delay types: digital, analog, reverse, ping-pong
  • Spring, plate, and hall convolution reverb
  • Modulation and tone control for echoes
  • HOLD, LIFT, FREEZE, and MOTION performance gestures
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin compatibility
Features
Read full description

EchoSketch turns delay and reverb into a live, playable instrument. Shape your sound in real time using a responsive X/Y performance surface designed for intuitive touch expression. At its core are four great-sounding delays: digital, analog, ping-pong, and reverse. The range for each parameter and the XY axes direction can be set independently, allowing you to easily morph between sounds. It works as an Audio Unit plugin or standalone — iOS or Mac. Comprehensive Delays • Digital (patterned after a legendary '80s rack delay), Analog (warm, with tape-style pitch glide), Reverse, and Left/Right Ping-Pong • Delay times can sync to tempo or be set in milliseconds • Feedback features delay-dependent tone shaping — bright for short delays and darker for long ones Convolution Reverb • Stereo or mono Spring, Plate, and Hall • Reverb path is separate from the delay (same as vintage tape echo units), so repeats don’t get washed out Modulation and Filter • Analog-style modulation for chorused, warbly pitch echoes • Tone control — darken or brighten delays, with a center detent for flat Designed for Hands-On Performance • HOLD / LIFT — leave the XY cursor in place, or touch the pad for momentary delay sounds • FREEZE — set the current feedback into an infinite loop and play over it • MOTION — record a gesture on the XY pad and loop it Presets and More • Presets are transferable between hosts • Two looks — light "Trail" and dark "Glow" • Works standalone with live audio or as an AUv3 plugin • Universal — iPad/iPhone also gets you the Mac version — one purchase • Mac: after installing, open EchoSketch once to use it as a plugin in your DAW • Works in AUM, AudioBus, GarageBand, Logic, and other AUv3 hosts

Screenshots

Fishtail3 screens
EchoSketch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: EchoSketch at 5.0 against Fishtail's 4.3. EchoSketch also leads on price ($7.99 vs $14.99). Fishtail's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 2). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Fishtail costs $14.99 and EchoSketch $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EchoSketch holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fishtail ships an update every 3 days, EchoSketch every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Fishtail versus EchoSketch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFishtailEchoSketch
Price$14.99$7.99 — better
Rating4.3 (6 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAMY NICOLA MCBRIDEAvi Bortnick

Customer experience

Fishtail

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

EchoSketch

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Fishtail

No in-app purchases

None

EchoSketch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fishtail free?
Fishtail costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is EchoSketch free?
EchoSketch costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fishtail or EchoSketch?
EchoSketch is rated higher. Fishtail averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while EchoSketch averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Fishtail or EchoSketch have ads?
Neither Fishtail nor EchoSketch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fishtail or EchoSketch?
Fishtail ships an update every 3 days, and EchoSketch every 2 days. Most recently, Fishtail was updated on October 24, 2026 and EchoSketch on October 24, 2026.

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