Comparison

dot Melody vs cykle

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

Head to head
About

dot Melody

Create intricate melodies, bass lines, and drum beats by manipulating dots on a multidimensional grid. This app offers a powerful sequencer, chord and pattern manipulation, and built-in effects for dynamic music creation.

Highlights
  • Graphic arpeggiator and sequencer
  • Create melodies, bass lines, and drum beats
  • On-the-fly chord and pattern switching
  • Delay and reverb effects
  • MIDI Out and Audiobus support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI Clock Sync
Features
Read full description

dot Melody is a multidimensional graphic arpeggiator, sequencer, and drum machine from the creator of the critically acclaimed music apps Patterning & Chordion. Move dots around to create intertwining melodies, bass lines, and drum beats. Switch chords and patterns on the fly. Process your instruments through delay and reverb effects. Featured on the App Store “Best New Apps” list. Best with headphones or over AirPlay. • iOS 8 and Above • •• Sequencer •• Tap or drag anywhere to create new dots. Move dots horizontally to change pitch within the current chord. Move dots vertically to change duration/rhythm. Tap a dot to make it a rest. Double tap to delete it. •• Chords •• Switch chords/scales on the fly to change the notes in your pattern. Unlimited number of chords Choose from suggested chords or create your own. •• Patterns •• Unlimited number of patterns, each with 3 instrument layers. Copy, reverse, clear, randomize, and generate functions. Easily re-order patterns. •• Instruments •• 3 instrument at a time : lead, bass, and drums. 23 mod-wheel enabled sounds to choose from. Independent volume controls with the mixer. Independent delay effect sends. •• Effects •• Tempo-synced delay with feedback and low pass filter. Reverb with mix and decay controls. •• Tempo & Time Signature •• Tap Tempo function Choose from a range of time signatures for pattern syncing. Use x/x time signature to enter “free mode” and let your instruments create phase patterns. •• MIDI Out •• Each instrument layer can use independent MIDI ports and channels. Mod Wheel support included. Advanced MIDI timing implementation using MIDI timestamps. •• File Management •• Create new files from templates in any key Easily duplicate or re-name files •• Audiobus •• Use dot Melody as an Audiobus source! See http://audiob.us for more information. •• Sync •• Ableton Link, MIDI Clock Sync, and Inter-App Audio Sync.

About

cykle

This app is a powerful melodic step sequencer that generates complex musical patterns through the interaction of simple elements. It requires connection to a separate MIDI synthesizer app or hardware to produce sound. Offers extensive customization for musical parameters and sequence transformations.

Highlights
  • Semi-generative melodic step sequencer
  • Decoupled sequencer lanes for musical parameters
  • AUv3 MIDI plugin and standalone modes
  • Sample-accurate sequencing engine
  • Pattern snapshots and song mode
  • Extensive sequence transformation actions
  • MIDI clock output and Ableton Link support
Features
Read full description

cykle is an inventive, semi-generative melodic step sequencer for iOS, iPadOS and Mac (Catalyst). cykle abstracts every musical parameter into its own sequence using decoupled sequencer lanes, producing complex and musically engaging patterns from the interactions between simple elements. nb: cykle does not make sound by itself, you will need to connect it to a MIDI-compatible synthesizer app on your device, load it in an AUv3-compatible host (such as Logic Pro, Audiobus or AUM), or connect it to an external synthesizer, computer or any other MIDI-compatible sound generating device. features: - universal app (works on both iPhone and iPad) - works in both portrait and landscape mode - works as an Audio Unit (AUv3) MIDI plugin or as a standalone (CoreMIDI) app - sample-accurate sequencing engine - slick and responsive native UI - pattern snapshots selectable via MIDI input - song mode / pattern chaining - pitch playable by MIDI note input (arp and chord modes) - configurable tempo, scale and key - every channel can be routed to a separate MIDI destination and channel - every channel sends MIDI note- and pitch-bend data as well as an arbitrary number of MIDI continuous control (CC) messages - full AUv3 state- and preset-saving - randomization features - save and load patterns - decoupled sequencer lanes for the following parameters: - pulse - pitch - rest - step length - chance - velocity - accent - gate length - chance - ratchet (note repeat) - accidental (flatten/sharpen) - transpose - chord inversion - octave - harmonize - pitch bend - mappable MIDI CC values (e.g., filter cutoff, resonance, envelope, etc.) sequences can be instantly transformed by the following actions: - shift left/right/up/down - rotate - randomize - mutate - mirror - reverse - double - bisect - configurable clock division rate per sequencer lane - configurable playback mode per sequencer lane (forward, backward, random, jump) - MIDI clock output - Ableton Link support - works without internet connection - no push notifications - no ads or in-app purchases - no third-party behavioural tracking tools - ongoing development and support

Screenshots

dot Melody4 screens
cykle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: dot Melody at $3.99 against cykle's $12.99. dot Melody also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). cykle's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume 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

dot Melody costs $3.99 and cykle $12.99 up front. cykle sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. dot Melody asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for dot Melody against 4.7 for cykle. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 43 and 34 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of dot Melody's written reviews are positive against 80% of cykle's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dot Melody ships an update every 4 months, cykle monthly. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
dot Melody versus cykle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterdot Melodycykle
Price$3.99 — better$12.99
Rating4.7 (43 ratings) — better4.7 (34 ratings)
Positive reviews84.7% of reviews — better80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings43 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOlympia Noise Co.Corne Driesprong

Customer experience

dot Melody

All ratings43 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.3%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive84.7%
Neutral5.1%
Negative10.2%

cykle

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative15.0%

Bugs and requests

dot Melody

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes experienced in older iOS versions
  • Audiobus recording is garbage
  • Does NOT support iPad screen size

Requested features

9 requests
  • AUv3 support
  • Quick export of MIDI and WAV
  • Update layout for larger screens (iPad)
  • External MIDI control for chord/sequence changes
  • Ability to transpose octaves via MIDI
Show 4 more
  • Chord changes synced to bar changes
  • Trigger chord and track changes via MIDI
  • More diverse and interesting sounds
  • Audioshare export

cykle

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

dot Melody

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

cykle

One-time2
  • Small tip$1.99
  • Big tip$5.99

Questions

Is dot Melody free?
dot Melody costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is cykle free?
cykle costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, dot Melody or cykle?
dot Melody is rated higher. dot Melody averages 4.7 out of 5 from 43 ratings, while cykle averages 4.7 from 34 ratings.
Do dot Melody or cykle have ads?
Neither dot Melody nor cykle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, dot Melody or cykle?
dot Melody ships an update every 4 months, and cykle monthly. Most recently, dot Melody was updated on October 23, 2026 and cykle on October 23, 2026.

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