Best NFM alternatives: apps like NFM – AUv3: FM Synth

9+ similar apps compared and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
6 free apps
Updated November 2026

Whether you want more options like NFM or a completely different take on the same concept, our curated list of 9+ similar apps has you covered. Updated for 2026 with the latest ratings and comparisons.

Top Alternatives to NFM

mood#1

mood by apeSoft

Editor's Choice
🎵 Music
4.7😊(87 ratings)
$12.99
mood screenshot 1
mood screenshot 2
mood screenshot 3
mood screenshot 4
mood screenshot 5
mood screenshot 6

This app offers a personal interpretation of a legendary analog synthesizer, providing immense sonic ability and a captivating sense of discovery. It includes a wide array of features expected in a top-tier iOS instrument app, allowing for deep sound design and musical exploration.

What We Love

  • 🎶 Great sound quality
  • 🎵 Warm and punchy tones
  • 🎹 Excellent Minimoog emulation
  • 💡 Versatile sound design capabilities
  • 🎛️ Deep modulation options (LFOs)
  • 🚀 Low CPU usage
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use (standalone)
  • ✨ Unique sound character
  • 🎵 Musical sounding FM
  • 🎚️ Smooth filters
  • 🎛️ MIDI CC mappable parameters
  • 🎚️ Good preset saving with folders
  • 🎛️ Ribbon control addition
  • 🎶 High quality synth
  • ✨ Innovative features
  • 👍 Great for live performance
  • 🚀 Efficient app
  • ✨ Inspiring for synthesis exploration
  • 👍 Well-crafted presets
  • 🎶 Deep analogue sound

Room to Improve

  • 📱 Poor AUv3 interface
  • ⌨️ Unhideable keyboard in AUv3
  • 🎛️ Cramped controls in AUv3
  • 🎛️ Too many pages/flipping in AUv3
  • 🎛️ No birds-eye overview in AUv3
  • 🎛️ UI drawbacks
  • 🎛️ Weird layout in AU version
  • 🎛️ Unnecessary pop-up menu on preset load
  • 🎛️ No Undo/Redo
  • 🎛️ No Favorites in presets
  • 🎛️ Most presets are bad/not fun workflow
  • 🐛 Filter FM not working at audio rates
  • 🐛 App intercepts GB audio output file
  • 🐛 Missing audio files for presets
  • 🐛 Note hangs and crashes in AUM
  • 🐛 Sample playback quality low
  • 🐛 Filter can get smeary with polyphony
  • 🎛️ Preset management system disliked
  • 🎛️ Ergonomics need improvement
  • 🎛️ AU interface awkward with Cubasis
  • 🎛️ Lacks pitch envelope
  • 🎛️ Filter not metallic enough for some
  • 🎛️ Granular sample section not polyphonic
Scaler EQ#2

Scaler EQ by Scaler Music

World's First Truly Musical EQ
Strong Contender
🎵 Music
4.6(28 ratings)
$12.99
Scaler EQ screenshot 1
Scaler EQ screenshot 2
Scaler EQ screenshot 3

This application offers a unique approach to audio equalization by intelligently adjusting frequencies based on the detected key and scale of your music. It provides both musical enhancements and traditional EQ controls for detailed sound shaping.

Rithmatic: FM Synth#3

Rithmatic: FM Synth by MADE WITH BEST PRACTICE LLC

FM synthesizer & AUv3 plugin
Worth Considering
🎵 Music
4.6(9 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Rithmatic: FM Synth screenshot 1
Rithmatic: FM Synth screenshot 2
Rithmatic: FM Synth screenshot 3
Rithmatic: FM Synth screenshot 4
Rithmatic: FM Synth screenshot 5
Rithmatic: FM Synth screenshot 6

This app is an FM synthesizer with a vast library of classic voices. It allows users to explore, learn, build, and blend sounds, and can be used as a standalone instrument or an AUv3 plugin within DAWs. It offers a visual representation of sound and a patch builder for understanding FM synthesis.

More apps like NFM

4
Scaler 3
Scaler 3
Scaler 3
Music Theory Workstation
$12.99
$19.99 | 35% OFF

This music theory workstation helps you discover chords, explore harmony, and build complete musical ideas. It offers a redesigned workflow, expanded creative potential, and powerful new capabilities for songwriting and music production.

Discover music's key with MIDI and audio detectionAccess over 1,000 chord sets, keys, and modesBuild intelligent chord progressions with automatic voice-leading
🎵 Music
(171)
paid
5
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth
80s 90s Music Synthesizer
Free

This app is a virtual analog and PCM synthesizer for iPad, inspired by the digital synthesizers of the 80s and 90s. It offers a vast library of presets, advanced synthesis features, and built-in effects for creating rich, retro-inspired sounds.

64-voice hybrid digital poly synthesis1GB+ of original samplesStand-alone, IAA, and AUv3 support
🎵 Music
(2.1K)
subscription
6
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Lo-Fi & Chill with this AUv3
Free

This app creates unique synth sounds by recording classic synths to VHS tape and then resampling them. It offers a vast library of presets and effects to achieve lo-fi, retro vibes for various music genres. An AUv3 plugin and standalone app are included.

VHS-recorded and resampled synthsOver 280+ presetsStandalone app and AUv3 plugin
🎵 Music
(135)
subscription
7
LE05: Digitalism 2000 + AUv3
LE05: Digitalism 2000 + AUv3
LE05: Digitalism 2000 + AUv3
Synth Retro and Digital Music
Free

Explore a vast collection of vintage synth sounds inspired by early 2000s digital music. This app offers over 1,000 samples and 60+ PCM sound sources, with over 100 presets for immediate inspiration. It functions as a standalone instrument or an AUv3 plugin for popular DAWs.

Vintage digital synth soundsOver 1,000 individual samples60+ multi-sampled PCM sound sources
🎵 Music
(139)
free with in-app purchases
8
AudioKit Retro Piano
AudioKit Retro Piano
AudioKit Retro Piano
Synthesizer of LoFi MIDI Sound
Free

Create vintage and modern piano sounds with this synthesizer app. It offers lo-fi effects, custom vinyl noise, and a stacked synth for unique vibes. Express yourself with simple controls and a big sound in a small package.

Lo-fi and modern piano soundsCustom vinyl noise and crush effectsStacked vintage synth pads
🎵 Music
(158)
free with in-app purchases
9
LE01 | Bass 808 Synth + AUv3
LE01 | Bass 808 Synth + AUv3
LE01 | Bass 808 Synth + AUv3
Create Deep Music and Sound
Free

Create deep, earth-shattering bass lines and custom electronic drum sounds. This powerful synth offers a lightweight yet robust tool for musicians across various electronic genres. It functions as a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin, allowing for seamless integration into your existing music production workflow.

Create earth-shattering bassStandalone app & AUv3 pluginSynthesize custom sounds
🎵 Music
(1.1K)
subscription