Comparison

SpringSound vs RingsFX

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

Head to head
About

SpringSound

This app is a physical-modeling audio synthesizer that simulates sound through the interaction of springs, masses, and activators. It offers detailed control over various physical parameters and comes with a large library of presets. It can be used as a sound generator or effect, and supports MIDI and expressive controllers.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling sound synthesis
  • Detailed control of physical parameters
  • Large set of sound presets
  • Audio-In effect capability
  • MIDI and MPE support
  • iOS Continuum Remote integration
Features
Read full description

SpringSound is a physical-modeling audio synthesizer that produces sounds by simulating interactions and vibrations of a set of activators and masses connected to springs. The model offers detailed control of an array of features including: gravity, bouncing, fluid and static friction, mechanical limits, non-linear functions, and more. SpringSound is provided with a very large set of sound presets that you can tweak and save. Small video introductions are available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1GF7HkSV9c and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdYuZ07nmRo And an audio demo of some presets: https://soundcloud.com/christophe-duquesne/demopresetspringsound It can be used as a sound generator or as an effect using its Audio-In feature, opening a new world of physical modeled effects. It is fully Audiobus® 2 and inter-app audio compatible, and manage state saving. SpringSound can be controlled by a standard MIDI keyboard and directly from the iOS device screen. It is complete with the new MIDI MPE (expressive MIDI) and therefore can be controlled by most expressive controllers like the Haken Continuum, ROLI Seaboard, Linnstrument, Madrona Labs Soundplane, etc. SpringSound app is designed for optimum use with the Haken Continuum (www.hakenaudio.com) and integrate an IOS Continuum Remote (iPad only) allowing a very comprehensive and accurate remote control of the Continuum from your iPad (access to all parameters except programming the Eagan Matrix). SpringSound has be designed to explore sounds domains you won’t be able to access with other synthesis technics. It expands your sonic palette with a new world of physical sounds. It is a rich musical instrument, a sophisticated sound-design tool and an entertaining sonic playground. SpringSound is the big brother of my former Ackorage-Spring app.

About

RingsFX

This music app emulates a renowned physical modeling synthesizer, offering diverse synthesis techniques and polyphonic capabilities. It allows for real-time parameter manipulation and can process external audio, creating unique sonic textures and rhythms.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling synthesis emulation
  • Multiple polyphony modes (Mono, Duo, Quad, True Polyphonic)
  • Supports MIDI MPE and velocity sensitivity
  • External audio excitation
  • Mod Matrix for real-time parameter control
  • 7 unique synthesis modes
  • 6 mod-able and 6 global effects
Features
Read full description

RingsFX is an AUv3 plugin based on the famous Mutable Instruments Rings, one of the most dedicated and fully-featured Physical Modeling Eurorack modules ever created. At its core is a resonator that needs to be 'excited' or 'strummed' by MIDI input, noise, or external audio excitation. RingsFX emulates vibrations of structures simulated by 3 different synthesis techniques that can be plucked or process external signals: Modal Synthesis, Sympathetic Strings, and Inharmonic Strings. Traditionally, Rings was only monophonic but used a unique approach to polyphony that allowed the previous note to 'ring' out and decay while a new note was played. Rings FX provides these same modes (Mono, Duo, and Quad), but expands it with a true Polyphonic mode. RingsFX also expands the capabilities of the original engine by adding support for velocity sensitivity and MIDI MPE mode. The new polyphonic mode allows RingsFX to play up to 12 notes of true polyphony, depending on the settings. Doing so requires RingsFX to use multiple Rings resonators, but the more true polyphony you use, the more processing power it requires. Running in the traditional Monophonic, Duophonic, or Quadrophonic modes may be preferred in order to keep CPU usage under control. RingsFX has 7 modes in total, by combining the 3 basic modes with additional properties such as chords or specially tuned reverbs. The original hardware also had a secret 'Easter Egg' mode, which in RingsFX is simply calling 'Synthesizer' mode, rumoured to be based on one of the early Korg synthesis methods. This mode supported a number of mutable effects which now work on in all resonator modes. RingsFX also has a Mod-Matrix which allows you to combine the built-in LFOs and FEGs to great effect by manipulating parameters and mutable effects in realtime. Finally, RingsFX can be loaded as an AUv3 effect plugin. Set the Exciter Source to 'INPUT', and you can pass any audio through RingsFX and use this audio as an external exciter. For example, it can be used to great affect on a drum beat to create some crazy rhythms. Use the Output Mix to combine the original audio with the synthesised resonator output to create some stunning effects. Features ○ 7 unique synthesis modes. ○ Supports Mono, Duo, Quad and true polyphony. ○ Supports 2 fluid LFO's per note. ○ Up to 4 FEG's per note. ○ External Exciter modes. ○ White noise Pulse Sequencer. ○ Supports 6 mod-able effects and 6 global effects. ○ Mod Matrix ○ Input and white noise filters. ○ Program Manager with drag and drop. ○ Preset Search and Favourites. ○ Easy export and import of banks and presets. ○ Extensive help manual. ○ Web Transfer for backing up to PC/Mac. ○ MPE Support.

Screenshots

SpringSound1 screens
RingsFX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SpringSound at $2.99 against RingsFX's $14.99. RingsFX's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

SpringSound costs $2.99 and RingsFX $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RingsFX holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of SpringSound's written reviews are positive against 100% of RingsFX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SpringSound ships an update every 9 months, RingsFX fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SpringSound versus RingsFX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpringSoundRingsFX
Price$2.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.2 (19 ratings)4.9 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1927 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristophe Duquesne4Pockets.com

Customer experience

SpringSound

All ratings19 ratings
Positive73.7%
Neutral15.8%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive73.7%
Neutral21.1%
Negative5.3%

RingsFX

All ratings26 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SpringSound

No in-app purchases

None

RingsFX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SpringSound free?
SpringSound costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RingsFX free?
RingsFX costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SpringSound or RingsFX?
RingsFX is rated higher. SpringSound averages 4.2 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while RingsFX averages 4.9 from 27 ratings.
Do SpringSound or RingsFX have ads?
Neither SpringSound nor RingsFX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SpringSound or RingsFX?
SpringSound ships an update every 9 months, and RingsFX fortnightly. Most recently, SpringSound was updated on October 24, 2026 and RingsFX on October 20, 2026.

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