Comparison

IrisFold vs Meld

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

Head to head
About

IrisFold

Features
Read full description

Design the iris-folding pattern you want to make, teach, or share. IrisFold turns supported user-owned outlines into a colored, numbered sequence and print-ready PDF and SVG files. • Start with a geometric aperture or import a supported polygonal SVG. • Adjust the seed, spiral, opening, strip width and color lanes. • Follow one strip at a time with a visible completion count. Return directly to an unfinished step. • Prepare Letter or A4 files with a calibration square and clear construction order. • Share a locally rendered Iris Reveal or an editable .irisfold project through the system share sheet. Made for original pattern creators, teachers and card designers—not a catalog of ready-made craft patterns. SVG import supports closed polygonal outlines; curves and unsupported SVG features are rejected with an explanation. Projects and artwork stay on device. No account, cloud service or remote AI is required. Use artwork you own or have permission to use. Always review the guide and check print calibration at 100% before cutting. Shape your next original pattern on iPhone or iPad.

About

Meld

Create and paint 3D models directly on your iPad. Offers robust modeling and topology tools, along with texture painting capabilities. Supports various export formats and includes a free tier with optional Pro features.

Highlights
  • Polygon modeling tools (Extrude, Bevel, Loop Cut)
  • Topology editing (Split, Dissolve, Bridge)
  • Texture painting with Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity
  • PBR material channels (Roughness, Metallic)
  • Multiple light types and camera placement
  • OBJ, glTF, GLB, USDZ import/export
  • Autosave and 3D file previews
Read full description

Meld is a polygon modeler and texture painter built for iPad. Topology editing tools, rebuilt for use with touch and Apple Pencil. MODELING Extrude, Inset, Bevel, Loop Cut, Knife, Edge Slide and Subdivide. Extrude along the region, the normals or each face individually. Bevel edges or vertices with adjustable segments and profile shape. Cut loops with even spacing and slide them into place. Every tool opens a settings panel after you commit, so you can dial in an exact amount, add a segment, or change a profile without undoing and starting again. Move, rotate and scale with gizmos in global or local orientation, or transform freely with an axis constraint when you need one direction only. TOPOLOGY Split, separate, dissolve and delete across every selection mode. Fill and bridge edges. Merge vertices by distance or at their center. Flip normals, shade smooth or flat, join objects together. Full undo and redo on everything. PAINTING Paint color directly onto your model with Apple Pencil, using pen pressure. Roughness, metallic and emissive channels let a surface read as worn metal, wet plastic or a glowing sign. Unwrap UVs with smart unwrap. LIGHTING AND RENDERING Point, spot, directional and area lights. Place cameras, frame a shot at the aspect ratio you want, and capture it. Ray traced shadows and reflections on supported devices. Import reference images to model against. Fly through your scene or orbit it, in perspective or orthographic, with instant front, side and top views. FILES Import and export OBJ, glTF, GLB and USDZ. Export a single object or the whole scene. Scenes autosave as you work, and the file browser shows a real 3D preview of every one. Your files stay on your device, and export to formats every other tool already speaks. FREE AND PRO Everything in modeling, topology, selection and transforms is free. So is color painting, OBJ import and export, and up to three saved scenes. Meld PRO adds unlimited scenes, glTF, GLB and USDZ import and export, roughness and metallic painting, and the PBR renderer. Subscriptions are monthly or annual and renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel any time in Settings. Terms of Service: https://meld3d.app/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://meld3d.app/privacy.html NINE LANGUAGES English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

Screenshots

IrisFold3 screens
Meld4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Meld at every 3 days against IrisFold's every 6 weeks. 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. IrisFold sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Meld sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IrisFold ships an update every 6 weeks, Meld every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
IrisFold versus Meld: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIrisFoldMeld
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB258 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer程辉 杨Meld Systems LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

IrisFold

One-time1
  • IrisFold Lifetime$29.99
2 purchases

Meld

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Annual$39.991 Year

Questions

Is IrisFold free?
IrisFold is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Meld free?
Meld is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do IrisFold or Meld have ads?
Neither IrisFold nor Meld shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IrisFold or Meld?
IrisFold ships an update every 6 weeks, and Meld every 3 days. Most recently, IrisFold was updated on October 16, 2026 and Meld on October 20, 2026.

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