Comparison

RasterFX vs Forma

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

Head to head
About

RasterFX

This app is a playable modular multi-effects processor for music creation. It allows users to build complex audio effect chains, modulate any control with various sources, and perform patches live. Visualizers provide real-time feedback on sound changes.

Highlights
  • Modular multi-effects processor
  • Build custom effect chains
  • Modulate any control
  • Live performance features
  • Real-time visualizers
  • Record and share audio
Features
Read full description

Make any sound move. RasterFX is a playable modular multi-effects processor for iPhone and iPad. Use it standalone with a microphone, an imported audio file or built-in signals — or load it as an AUv3 audio effect in AUM, GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, Loopy Pro, Cubasis and other Audio Unit hosts. BUILD YOUR EFFECT CHAIN Choose from Filter, Delay, Drive, Reverb, Grain, Repeat, Motion and Dynamics. Arrange up to six plates in series or split them into parallel A/B paths. Reorder the chain and the sound changes with it. MODULATE ANY CONTROL Patch LFOs, envelope followers, random and chaos sources, step sequencers, MIDI, macros, the XY pad or device tilt to any control. Create up to 16 modulation lines, with live arcs showing exactly how the sound is moving. PERFORM THE PATCH Morph between four snapshots on the XY pad. Turn eight macros. Hold four momentary throws for stutter, sweep, reverse and freeze. RasterFX is built to be played with one hand, not programmed and left alone. GENERATE, LOCK, EVOLVE Nudge a patch, reshape it or roll a new one. Lock the parts you want to keep, undo any result and save the seeds worth returning to. Evolve lets the patch drift over time while staying anchored to the sound you chose. SEE WHAT YOU HEAR Every effect has its own live visualizer. The CRT and halftone interface makes filters, delay taps, grains, dynamics and modulation visible without turning the screen into a wall of meters. RECORD THE RESULT Record the processed output to WAV, rename takes and share them from the app. FREE TO START. PRO ONCE. Free includes all eight effects, all modulation sources, every factory preset, three plates, four modulation lines and 60-second recordings. No ads, account, watermark or reduced audio quality. RasterFX Pro is a one-time purchase — not a subscription. It unlocks six plates, 16 modulation lines, split routing, XY snapshot morphing, Evolve, A/B compare, unlimited recording length and your own saved presets. Your saved sound always plays back exactly as created, even if it uses Pro features; Free limits editing, never playback. Made for headphones, late at night.

About

Forma

Features
Read full description

Build a track in seconds with Forma. Forma is a mobile-first music lab for creating original tracks fast. Pick a style, set the mood, build a track, then swipe through stems to try new versions instantly. Whether you're making content for social, video, podcasts, brand work, or just sketching musical ideas, Forma gives you a fast, intuitive way to shape music without opening a full DAW. HOW IT WORKS - Pick a genre direction - Set the tempo and feel - Build a track from curated stems - Swipe to swap drums, bass, lead, or synth - Explore new versions of the same idea in seconds WHY CREATORS USE FORMA - Fast track creation - Cleared for commercial use in your own projects - Effortless stem swapping - Clean, mobile-first experience - Great for content creators, artists, producers, and beginners CREATE WITH CONTROL Forma gives you a structured way to shape your sound while keeping the process fast and inspiring. Start with a direction, then refine the feel by changing individual elements of the track. PERFECT FOR - Social content - Video creators - Podcast intros and backgrounds - Sketching musical ideas on the go - Content that needs cleared music No complex setup. No steep learning curve. Just pick a direction and start building. LICENSING Tracks you export are licensed for use in your own commercial projects. SUBSCRIPTION Forma offers auto-renewing subscriptions to unlock unlimited stem swaps, regenerations, and exports: - Unlimited Creator (Monthly) - Unlimited Creator (Annual) Pricing is shown in the app before purchase and varies by region. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically at the same price and duration unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your Apple Account settings. Credits (e.g. 100 Credits) are a separate one-time purchase and are not part of the subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://brancolabsltd.com/forma/privacy.html

Screenshots

RasterFX4 screens
Forma4 screens

Verdict

The call

RasterFX and Forma are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. RasterFX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Forma sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
RasterFX versus Forma: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRasterFXForma
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChih Han LinBranco Labs

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RasterFX

One-time1
  • RasterFX Pro$3.99
3 purchases

Forma

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited Creator (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Creator (Annual)$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • 100 Credits$5.99

Questions

Is RasterFX free?
RasterFX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Forma free?
Forma is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RasterFX or Forma have ads?
Neither RasterFX nor Forma shows ads.

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