Comparison

Caustic vs Mela

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

Head to head
About

Caustic

Create music with a virtual synthesizer and sampler rig. Build your sound by adding up to 14 machines, including synths and drum machines. Features a mixer, effects, and a song sequencer for real-time audio production.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer
  • Multi-sample wave synthesizer
  • Sampling drum machine
  • Effects rack with 20 effect types
  • Mixer desk with EQ and effects
  • Song sequencer
  • AudioBus and AudioCopy/Paste support
Features
Read full description

Caustic 3 is a music creation tool inspired by rack-mount synthesizer/sampler rigs. Everything is real-time and optimized for mobile devices. Create your rack by adding up to 14 machines from a choice of: * Subsynth - Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer * PCMSynth - Multi-sample wave synthesizer * BassLine - 303-like monosynth * BeatBox - 8-channel sampling drum machine * PadSynth - Harmonic table pad synthesizer * 8BitSynth - 8bit equation solver synthesizer * Modular - Fully configurable and routable synthesizer * Organ - Tonewheel organ with rotary speaker * Vocoder - 8-band harmonic vocoder * FMSynth - DX-style 3-operator fm synthesizer * KSSynth - Karplus-Strong string modeling synthesizer * SawSynth - Supersaw-type synthesizer The app also includes: * Effects rack supporting 2 effects per machine (20 effect types). * Mixer desk with EQ, panning and global Delay/Reverb effects. * Master section with effect slots, parametric EQ and limiter. * Song sequencer AudioBus support for Input and Output slots. AudioCopy Paste + AudioShare support for import and export. Supports automation recording on most controls and includes powerful editors for modifying automation curves. Users can record their own WAV files for use in the PCMSynth, BeatBox, and Vocoder or import files through iTunes file sharing, ACP, AudioShare, or the built-in FTP server. Supports all uncompressed WAV files (8-16-24-32bit, any sampling rate). The PCMSynth can also load SoundFont files (.sf2), SFZ and FL/Xewton instruments (.instr, .ZIP) "Open In.." import support for all preset types, .WAV, .SF2 and .MID. (MIDI (.mid) files can be imported as raw sequencer note data.) Supports CoreMIDI and virtual MIDI for note, velocity and CC data. (be sure to set "Enable background audio" in advanced options to use virtual MIDI) See the in-app help section for dozens of informative tutorial videos and full online manual. There is also a FREE (full version) PC/Mac version available for download on the product website. Come visit www.singlecellsoftware.com to download more presets, request features, share your tracks and hear what others are creating with Caustic 3. Works on iPhone/iPod but iPad is recommended.

About

Mela

Create complex synthesizers, audio effects, and MIDI processors with a modular music-making tool. Design instruments from simple patches to intricate custom setups, with a vast library of modules and extensive modulation capabilities.

Highlights
  • Modular instrument design
  • Polyphonic synthesis
  • Audio effect creation
  • MIDI processing
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Extensive module library
  • Sample-accurate modulation
Features
Read full description

DREAM UP AN INSTRUMENT, THEN BUILD IT Mela is a modular music-making tool that grows with you, from your first patch to deep custom designs. Create polyphonic synthesisers, unique audio effects, and complex MIDI processors. Mela runs standalone on iOS and macOS, or as an AUv3 plug-in inside your favourite DAW, including Ableton Live, AUM, Cubasis, Drambo, and Logic Pro. EVERYTHING IS A MODULE In Mela, there are no virtual cables to untangle. Instead, a patch is a tree of nested modules, where modules process their submodules in series or parallel. The layout of your patch is its signal flow. Everything moves with a drag, and a patch can stay tiny or grow into a deeply nested design. MEET THE MODULES Each module is focused yet powerful, and built-in help lets you quickly learn how it works. Here is a quick tour. • MIDI processors: arpeggiator, chord, Euclidean sequencer, groove, note echo, note modifiers, quantiser, scale, strummer, MIDI capture. • Synth building blocks: virtual-analog oscillator, FM operator, phaseshaping, noise, glide, unison, VA filter, amp envelope. • Modulators: envelope generator, envelope follower, LFO, mod sequencer, XY pad, macro control, random. • Audio effects: reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, phaser, distortion, ring mod, dynamics, EQ, pitch and frequency shifters, stereo tools. • Visualisers: level and correlation metering, oscilloscopes, MIDI logger, notepad. The full module list is at the very end. MODULATE ANY PARAMETER Every module parameter in Mela can be targeted by modulator modules with sample-accurate, polyphonic modulation. The full parameter tree is also exposed to the DAW for automation. YOUR FIRST PATCH Load Mela as an Instrument, an Audio Effect, or a MIDI Processor, then take your pick: over 250 included patches to play, pull apart, and learn from, or a blank patch and total freedom. PAY ONCE, OWN FOREVER Mela ships with 116 modules and counting, organised into collections. Collection 0 is free and has everything you need to learn how Mela works. The rest are single purchases. A patch that uses modules you do not own still plays in full. Locked modules process signals as normal, and a purchase simply unlocks their controls. SAY HELLO Wondering if Mela can do something specific? Just ask. Questions often become short demo videos, and feature requests help guide what gets added next. Say hello, ask anything, and help shape where Mela goes next. Learn more about Mela at nikolozi.com/mela. COLLECTION 0 Amp Envelope, Arpeggiator, Audio In, Audio Out, Lane, LFO, Meter, MIDI In, MIDI Lane, MIDI Meter, MIDI Out, MIDI-to-Poly, Notepad, Overlap Remover, Poly-to-Mono, Relative Pitch, Stack, Stereo Delay, Transposer, VA Filter, VA Oscillator, Volume. COLLECTION 1 Balance, Chord, Chorus, Compressor, Control Change, Distortion, DS Oscillator, Envelope Follower, Envelope Generator, Flanger, Glide, Level, MIDI Logger, MIDI Source, Noise, Note Echo, Note Length, Note Range, Note Stack, Phaser, Pitch Bend, Random, Scale, Strummer, Velocity. COLLECTION 2 Clipper, Comb Filter, DC Blocker, Degrader, EQ Band, Fixed Pitch, FM Operator, Macro, MIDI Capture, MIDI Channel, Oscilloscope, Pitch Oscilloscope, Pitch Ratio, Rectifier, Vibrato, Voice Activity, VPS Oscillator. COLLECTION 3 All Pass, Audio-to-Mod, Band Pass, Correlation, Digital Delay, Dual Pan, Euclid, Macro Button, Mid-Side, Multiply-Add, Noise Gate, Note Chance, Note Event, Pitch Follower, Reverb, Ring Mod, Simple LFO, Stereo Pan, Stereo Tool. COLLECTION 4 Crossover, Delay, Effect, Feedback, Gain, Gain Computer, Groove, MIDI Delay, Note Hold, Note Pulse, Note-to-Pitch, One Pole, Phase Distortion, Pitch Ramp, Quantiser, Splitter, Vel-to-Amp. COLLECTION 5 CC Modulator, Frequency Offset, Frequency Shifter, Limiter, Macro-8, Matrix, MIDI Echo, Mod Oscilloscope, Mod Steps, Pitch Reader, Pitch Shifter, Pitch-to-Amp, Slew, Time Scrub, Unison, XY.

Screenshots

Caustic4 screens
Mela4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mela at Free against Caustic's $9.99. Mela also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Caustic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 18.0). On ratings volume, ads 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

Mela is free to download; Caustic costs $9.99 up front. Mela sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Caustic asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mela holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 178 and 80 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Caustic's written reviews are positive against 85% of Mela's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Caustic ships an update every 4 months, Mela every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Caustic versus Mela: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCausticMela
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (178 ratings)4.8 (80 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.8% of reviews85.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings178 — better80
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS7.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRejean PoirierNikolozi Meladze

Customer experience

Caustic

All ratings176 ratings
Positive60.2%
Neutral8.5%
Negative31.3%
Written reviews218 reviews
Positive57.8%
Neutral7.8%
Negative34.4%

Mela

All ratings80 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive85.4%
Neutral6.3%
Negative8.3%

Bugs and requests

Caustic

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes on newer iPhones
  • Interface scaling problems on larger screens
  • Unresponsive controls in certain scenarios

Requested features

4 requests
  • Bluetooth audio support
  • Improved file management and export options
  • More synth/instrument options
  • Expanded effects and mixing capabilities

Mela

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Caustic

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Mela

One-time5
  • Collection 1$24.99
  • Collection 2$24.99
  • Collection 3$24.99
Show 2 more
  • Collection 4$24.99
  • Collection 5$24.99

Questions

Is Caustic free?
Caustic costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mela free?
Mela is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Caustic or Mela?
Mela is rated higher. Caustic averages 3.6 out of 5 from 178 ratings, while Mela averages 4.8 from 80 ratings.
Do Caustic or Mela have ads?
Neither Caustic nor Mela shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Caustic or Mela?
Caustic ships an update every 4 months, and Mela every 2 weeks. Most recently, Caustic was updated on October 29, 2026 and Mela on October 30, 2026.

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