EchoSketch vs Porthole Audio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Porthole Audio
This app captures system audio from your device and routes it into audio plug-ins. It allows you to host AUv3 plug-ins and use the app itself as an instrument within other music applications.
- Capture system audio
- Route audio to plug-ins
- Host AUv3 plug-ins
- Use as an AUv3 instrument
- Cross-app audio capture
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Porthole is a simple way to get sounds from other apps into your music. Capture audio straight into an AUv3 sampler, without saving a video or moving files around. - Open an AUv3 sampler right inside Porthole and capture into it. - Prefer your existing setup? Load Porthole as an AUv3 instrument in your favorite host. - Keep capturing while you switch between apps. - On iOS and iPadOS 27.2 and later, hear the plug-in while you capture. Hear a sound you like? Get it into your sampler in a few taps.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: EchoSketch at every 2 days against Porthole Audio's every 10 days. EchoSketch also leads on iOS requirement (17 vs 27.0). Porthole Audio's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $7.99) and chart position (#88 vs unranked). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
EchoSketch costs $7.99 and Porthole Audio $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for EchoSketch against 5.0 for Porthole Audio. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively.
EchoSketch ships an update every 2 days, Porthole Audio every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EchoSketch | Porthole Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #88 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17 — better | 27.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Avi Bortnick | Feras Alnatsheh |
Customer experience
EchoSketch
Porthole Audio
In-app purchases
EchoSketch
No in-app purchases
Porthole Audio
No in-app purchases









