Comparison

Bloom. vs Flow Nodes

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

Head to head
About

Bloom.

This app generates unique computational art where each pixel has a distinct color. Users can customize algorithms to influence the patterns and apply them as textures to various 3D shapes. It includes in-house music and options to save and reload custom creations.

Highlights
  • Self-generating, pseudo-random color patterns
  • Pixel-level unique RGB color generation
  • Apply images as textures on 3D shapes
  • In-house music for generative art sessions
  • Save and reload custom Bloom Documents
  • Variety of 3D shape geometries
Read full description

Bloom is an app that generates computational art, which means images are created by algorithms rather than by hand, but users can customize parameters to influence the results. In Bloom, textures can be generated so that every pixel has a unique color. Bloom is available for macOS and iOS, in a virtually identical experience. To give every pixel in an N×N grid its own unique RGB color, we need enough color variations. With M shades per color channel (red, green, blue), we get M³ total colors. So we choose M so that M³ matches the number of pixels, N²: N² = M³ This algorithm produces endlessly varied patterns that can be applied to a variety of 3D shapes. Feature overview: • Self-generating, pseudo-random process creates unique patterns of a rainbow of colors. • 1000x1000 dimension color profusions consisting of one million different colored pixels, with option of more or less. • Apply generated images, or any other image, as textures on 3D shapes - sphere, cube, heart and more. • Listen to our own in-house music as you watch and wait. Many 3D output options, including texture filters, shape rotation, material and lighting properties. A presets menu provides you with several sets of parameter values that you can start with and then tweak further. Use the Defaults menu item to reset all parameters to the state of Bloom on first launch. Options can be saved to and reloaded from Bloom Documents, using the Share menu. Bloom Documents are created using the Share menu item Save Bloom Sphere Document, and reloaded using the Share menu item Load Bloom Document. Bloom Documents support Quick Look Thumbnails. Quick Look thumbnails are small preview images that the operating system generates for files so you can see what’s inside without opening them. For example, when you browse your files in Finder, each Bloom Document or image may have a tiny preview showing the content or a miniature version of the 3D shape and texture. This makes it easier to identify files at a glance and quickly find what you’re looking for. Available shape geometries: sphere, torus, cube, cylinder, plane, capsule, pyramid, star, trefoil knot, exclamation heart and heart. A Music Manager enables listening to an assortment of music tracks while you wait and watch the art generate.

About

Flow Nodes

Create live graphics, video effects, custom interfaces, and 3D scenes using a node-based visual programming system. Build complex projects with a wide range of tools, including AI-powered features, and real-time inputs. Supports iCloud syncing and offers tutorials for easy learning.

Highlights
  • Node-based visual programming
  • Live graphics and video effects
  • 3D scene creation
  • AI-powered tools
  • Real-time inputs (sensors, NDI, OSC)
  • Custom UI building
  • iCloud syncing
Features
Read full description

Flow Nodes is a visual programming app for building live graphics, video effects, 3D scenes, and custom interfaces — just connect nodes, no code required. Start from ready-made presets in Discover, follow built-in tutorials, or build from scratch. Combine image processing, video, animation, math, networking, and UI with realtime inputs like camera, microphone, motion sensors, body, hand and face tracking, MIDI, OSC, and NDI. Built for realtime creation. Nodes arrange themselves as you connect them. Search and add nodes quickly, edit properties in the inspector, animate with a keyframe timeline, and reuse flows inside other flows. Organize projects in folders, split the canvas into tabs and panes, and navigate with a mini-map and live previews. Import and export images (including HDR), video, and 3D assets, record any output to video, and AirPlay content over Wi-Fi or HDMI. On supported devices, Apple Intelligence helps you understand and edit flows: read node docs, review connections, and use chat to create, connect, and update nodes with natural language. Automate flows with Shortcuts. Node Features - AI nodes for image generation, Image Playground, and chat - Live video: camera, background removal, chroma key, and text detection - Body, hand, and face tracking - Video playback, frame sampling, and recording - Keyframe timeline with bezier curves - OSC, MIDI, NDI, and network requests for realtime control - 3D rendering of geometry, particle fields, and Gaussian splats - Cameras, lights, projectors, and 360° equirectangular and cube map tools - Vector and geometry tools: shapes, clones, extrude, lathe, and transforms - UI nodes: buttons, sliders, labels, text fields, grids, stacks, and overlays - JavaScript and Metal shader nodes for custom logic and effects - Sensors: motion, microphone, location, game controllers, and haptics - Data and state: typed values, lists, maps, math, time, and signals Some nodes require Pro Nodes access. Your flows sync across devices with iCloud. Privacy Policy https://flownodes.app/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use https://flownodes.app/terms-of-use.html

Screenshots

Bloom.4 screens
Flow Nodes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bloom. at 5.0 against Flow Nodes's 4.4. Bloom. also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). Flow Nodes's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Flow Nodes sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Bloom. asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bloom. holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow Nodes has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bloom. ships an update every 4 months, Flow Nodes every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Bloom. versus Flow Nodes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBloom.Flow Nodes
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.4 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews—77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size157 MB253 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLimit Point SoftwareAnton Heestand

Customer experience

Bloom.

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Flow Nodes

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral22.2%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bloom.

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Flow Nodes

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Nodes (Monthly)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Nodes (Yearly)14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time4
  • Code Node Bundle$3.99
  • Data Node Bundle$3.99
  • Visual Node Bundle$3.99
Show 1 more
  • All Nodes$49.99

Questions

Is Bloom. free?
Bloom. is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flow Nodes free?
Flow Nodes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bloom. or Flow Nodes?
Bloom. is rated higher. Bloom. averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Flow Nodes averages 4.4 from 9 ratings.
Do Bloom. or Flow Nodes have ads?
Neither Bloom. nor Flow Nodes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bloom. or Flow Nodes?
Bloom. ships an update every 4 months, and Flow Nodes every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bloom. was updated on September 16, 2026 and Flow Nodes on October 11, 2026.

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