Comparison

Cyclop for iPad vs Polywave

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

Head to head
About

Cyclop for iPad

This app is a monophonic synthesizer designed to create powerful, deep bass sounds. It offers extensive sound design possibilities with a versatile modulation system, integrated effects, and real-time control. Ideal for electronic music production, it delivers unique and thick low-end frequencies.

Highlights
  • Monophonic bass synthesizer
  • Advanced sound design capabilities
  • Integrated effects sequencer
  • Versatile modulation system
  • Real-time control knobs
  • Preset browser with iCloud sync
  • Full MIDI support
Read full description

Cyclop is a monophonic synthesizer. It does one thing very well: delivering cutting-edge digital madness at the low end of the frequency spectrum to unleash monstrous bass sounds to the mobile world. Cyclop is the master of subs, beautifully controlling even the lowest notes, always sounding stomach-rumblingly thick. It uses mid/side processing to introduce stereo imaging between 250Hz and 4kHz. This ensures wide, interesting sounds that retain their punch and bass. There are no phasing issues, which means Cyclop cuts through the mix very nicely. Enjoy an incredible depth of sound design possibilities, great real-time control with the Wobble Knob and FX knob. Integrated effects sequencer, vast modulation system and the preset browser will take your inspiration to new levels. FEATURES AT A GLANCE: • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • Monophonic Bass Synthesizer • 6x2 Synthesiser Engines, 10x2 Filter Engines • Analog Sync, FM, Sample Transformer, Spectromat, Saw Regiment, Phase Stressor • Vowel Filter Mode • Free Signal Flow for 2 Oscillators, Filters and Distortions. • Incredibly versatile modulation system • Multi FX Knob/Sequencer • Powerful Preset Browser with tagging and rating • Preset iCloud Sync • Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Network, External) • Transformer import: Audiocopy, Audioshare, Music Library • Ableton Link DJ Mag: “It is decidedly digital-sounding, but not in a bad way, and as the growing list of fans proves, it can be turned to good use in just about any electronic genre, past, present and (probably) future.” Rating: 9.5/10 Producer Spot: “Very good for his complexity, very versatile and easy to use if you need sub bass sound for your productions. Sugar Bytes offers High quality and good prices with all their products.” Rating: 9.5/10 Computer Music: “Anyone will find it powerful and unique-sounding, adding spice to existing tracks and inspiring new ones.” Rating: 4.5/5.0

About

Polywave

Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Wavetable sequencer
  • Custom waveform drawing
  • Expansive waveform library
  • 100+ factory presets
  • MIDI and Audio Unit support
  • Live recording module
  • 8-voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

Screenshots

Polywave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Polywave at 4 against Cyclop for iPad's 1. Polywave also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Cyclop for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Cyclop for iPad against 4.7 for Polywave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 34 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of Cyclop for iPad's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cyclop for iPad ships an update every 2 months, Polywave every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on August 10, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cyclop for iPad versus Polywave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCyclop for iPadPolywave
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (84 ratings)4.7 (34 ratings)
Positive reviews74.0% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings84 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size299 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHFingerlab

Customer experience

Cyclop for iPad

All ratings84 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral1.2%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive74.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative18.0%

Polywave

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cyclop for iPad

One-time1
  • Cyclop Full Version$24.99
1 purchases

Polywave

One-time1
  • Full Version$7.99

Questions

Is Cyclop for iPad free?
Cyclop for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Polywave free?
Polywave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cyclop for iPad or Polywave?
Cyclop for iPad and Polywave are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 84 and 34 ratings respectively.
Do Cyclop for iPad or Polywave have ads?
Neither Cyclop for iPad nor Polywave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cyclop for iPad or Polywave?
Cyclop for iPad ships an update every 2 months, and Polywave every 4 months. Most recently, Cyclop for iPad was updated on August 10, 2026 and Polywave on September 23, 2026.

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