Comparison

apeFilter vs 5ths Machine

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 36 Peak Filters
  • Spectral Grid Compilers
  • AudioUnit V3 & Inter-App Audio Support
  • Built-in Stereo Sampler
  • ClassicVerb and Delay FX
  • MIDI Control
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

apeFilter4 screens
5ths Machine4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

apeFilter costs $7.99 and 5ths Machine $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
apeFilter versus 5ths Machine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterapeFilter5ths Machine
Price$7.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.8 (33 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings33 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 24 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperapeSoftLucy Hudson

Customer experience

apeFilter

All ratings33 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

5ths Machine

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

In-app purchases

None

apeFilter

No in-app purchases

None

5ths Machine

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is apeFilter free?
apeFilter costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is 5ths Machine free?
5ths Machine costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, apeFilter or 5ths Machine?
5ths Machine is rated higher. apeFilter averages 4.8 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while 5ths Machine averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do apeFilter or 5ths Machine have ads?
Neither apeFilter nor 5ths Machine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, apeFilter or 5ths Machine?
apeFilter ships an update every 2 months, and 5ths Machine every 24 months. Most recently, apeFilter was updated on November 11, 2026 and 5ths Machine on November 3, 2026.

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