Comparison

RasterFX vs Deck Lite

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

Head to head
About

RasterFX

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

Deck Lite

This app provides a streamlined interface for loading and playing AUv3 audio plugins on iOS devices. It features a card-based browser for easy plugin selection and adaptable controls for different screen sizes and orientations.

Highlights
  • AUv3 plugin hosting
  • Card browser for plugins
  • Adaptable interface for screen size
  • Keyboard and controller support
  • MIDI controller integration
  • Live audio processing
Features
Read full description

Your plugins. A place to play. Deck Lite opens one audio plugin at a time, with a card browser that makes your collection easy to explore. Pick a card and the plugin opens, ready for you to play. ROOM FOR YOUR PLUGIN Keep the plugin interface and its parameters together on a wide screen, or switch between them on iPhone. Enlarge the editor when you want more room. The controls adapt as you rotate your device. PLAY YOUR WAY Turn parameters on screen, navigate with a keyboard or compatible game controller, or use a MIDI controller. A connected Novation Launch Control 3 provides automatic parameter mapping and card selection in DAW Control mode. Other MIDI controllers can use Deck Lite's fixed command map. MADE FOR PLAYING Connect your instrument through a compatible audio interface, choose your plugin and enable LIVE. On iPhone and iPad, Deck Lite starts muted so you can get your audio route ready first. Effects process your incoming sound; instrument plugins receive MIDI notes. Deck Lite is free, with no subscriptions or in-app purchases. Use Deck Lite on iPhone and iPad with AUv3 plugins installed through compatible music apps. Plugin interfaces and features depend on their developer. Plugins pictured in store images are separate Untamed Audio products. Use headphones or a suitable monitored audio route when playing through a microphone or instrument input.

Screenshots

RasterFX4 screens
Deck Lite1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Deck Lite at none against RasterFX's 1. Deck Lite also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price and ads 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. RasterFX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Deck Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
RasterFX versus Deck Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRasterFXDeck Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChih Han LinJoshua Rideout

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RasterFX

One-time1
  • RasterFX Pro$3.99
None

Deck Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RasterFX free?
RasterFX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Deck Lite free?
Deck Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do RasterFX or Deck Lite have ads?
Neither RasterFX nor Deck Lite shows ads.

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