apeFilter vs 5ths Machine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
apeFilter
This app offers advanced audio equalization with up to 36 peak filters and spectral grid compilers for precise sound sculpting. It supports various audio input methods and includes effects like reverb and delay.
- 36 Peak Filters
- Spectral Grid Compilers
- AudioUnit V3 & Inter-App Audio Support
- Built-in Stereo Sampler
- ClassicVerb and Delay FX
- MIDI Control
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apeFilter is a sophisticated Equaliser, the DSP is based on the Biquad/Cascade filters, very fast! The graphical interaction provides a great tool to design an extremely precise and smooth frequency response by directly manipulating up to 36 Peaks Filters. The Spectral Grid compilers increase the complexity and coherence between the filters bandwidth space. You can create your pitch space by the way of four different criteria of construction by determining a pitches grid: Fibonacci, Harmonic, Geometric and Scalar. Use apeFilter for sculpt your sound through the embedded sampler or LIve from Audiobus or Inter-Audio-App Input. Among the FX chain, an amazing ClassicVerb is available. + AudioUnit V3 (FX) + Inter-App Audio (FX) + Audiobus (Full) + Ableton Link + Audio Interface support + Microphone input + 72 Peak Filters for Spectral Grid Compilers + 4 Spectral Grid Compilers: Fibonacci, Harmonic, Geometric and Scalar + 6 Common Filters: Lowpass, Hipass, Bandpass, Notch, Lowshelf, Hishelf + MIDI Note On/Off messages, for playing Filters Frequency and Filters Peaks Gain + Audiobus and Inter-App Audio support (sender and FX) + Built In Stereo Sampler with varispeed + Control Manager LFO for Parameters + Midibus, Virtual Midi and Network: 14 bit NRPN controllers + File Manager, sharing common audio files via iTunes, Dropbox and AudioCopy + Snapshot Presets Morphing Pad + Post Fx Chain: Stereo Delay, Amazing ClassicVerb and Dynamic compressor/expander
5ths Machine
Explore the theoretical intricacies of key signatures with an interactive quiz. Learn about the 12-position equal temperament system and discover how to identify keys with an unusual number of sharps. Understand music theory through a unique perspective.
- Key signature quiz
- Equal temperament system explanation
- Theoretical key signature exploration
- Background information on music theory
- Quiz tips and strategies
- Chronology of music theory concepts
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Think you know your key signatures cold? Answer this: which key has 41 sharps? The equal temperament system is a circle with 12 positions, just like a clock. And, just like on a clock, the hands keep going around and around forever. The key signature of 41 sharps is theoretically consistent with the Western diatonic system ― learn why, and learn how to find out what key it is. The Background Information and the Quiz Tips explain the system in detail, and Chronology puts it all in perspective. Enjoy the “Perpetual 5ths Machine Boogie” while key signatures you’ve never seen before pass by on parade. Then, buckle down and solve the Quiz questions. NOW you understand music theory the 5ths Machine way!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: apeFilter at every 2 months against 5ths Machine's every 24 months. apeFilter also leads on ratings volume (33 vs 1). 5ths Machine's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $7.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On rating, 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
apeFilter costs $7.99 and 5ths Machine $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
5ths Machine holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: apeFilter has 33 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
apeFilter ships an update every 2 months, 5ths Machine every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | apeFilter | 5ths Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (33 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 24 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Lucy Hudson |
Customer experience
apeFilter
5ths Machine
In-app purchases
apeFilter
No in-app purchases
5ths Machine
No in-app purchases









