Comparison

Poseidon Synth vs Phosphor 3

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

Head to head
About

Poseidon Synth

Explore vast sonic landscapes with this advanced synthesizer. It combines analog synthesis with spectral modeling for unique sound design, offering powerful filters, spatialization, and a vast library of presets and sound models.

Highlights
  • Spectral model oscillator
  • F-Domain Filter with variable slope
  • Spatializer for stereo movement
  • Extensive sound browser
  • Arpeggiator with programmable sequences
  • Built-in effects suite
Read full description

Poseidon Synth - The Ocean of Sound For all creatures in the ocean of sound - Sonic textures from other worlds, Analog signature sounds,  Cut-through-the-mix leads and silkily smooth pads: Poseidon sets a new standard for sound design and ease of use. All of this was made possible through a combination of the familiar, conceptual simplicity of the analog synthesis and our frequency domain based Spectral modelling synthesis technology. Spectral model oscillator Select a basic sound model from over hundred delivered with Poseidon. The basic sound model determines the sound characteristic you want to start: taking a artificial model like “Sawtooth” gives you analog style sounds. Use complex models from analyzed samples for earth shaking ambients and evolving pads. Model parameters High level controls allow for changing the spectral shape, the harmonicity and balances the level of residual noise and spectral amount of the oscillator model. F-Domain Filter The newly developed F-Domain filter allow for drastic changes in the resulting sound spectrum. Five filter types including lowpass/highpass characteristic can be used to shape the sound. They have the usual controls like cutoff but also very unusual ones like a variable slope ranging from 0 dB to 72 dB / Octave and independent controls for resonance and bandwidth! This kind of controls are only possible in the context of our F-Domain synthesis technology. This results in an extremely clear filter sound with breathtaking fast modulation possibilities.

The filter type “Inverse” interprets the sound model as a "Source" and a resonant body "Filter". The cutoff parameter shifts the filterbase - this is the equivalent to making the instrument body smaller or bigger. Spatializer This simple control gives your sound a distinctive moving distribution in the stereo panorama. Every atomic sound particle has it´s own path through the space ! Sound browser The sound browser in Poseidon gives you a fast selection of sounds based on category and timbre. Spectral modelling synthesis • Harmonic/Inharmonic/Noise sound models • 512 oscillators per voice • 300 Sound models / 600 factory presets Unique sound control • Pitch modulation / Harmonicity control • Time machine • Timbre control • Frequency Domain Filter • Spatializer Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomiser generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited user arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Effects • Chorus • Phaser • Flanger • Distortion (aliasing free!) • Equalizer • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus 3 compatible (Input slot) • Audio Unit AUv3 • Inter-app audio compatible (Instrument/Generator) • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI / Tempo Sync / MIDI Learn • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Audio pasteboard / File sharing. • Ableton Link support • Bluetooth audio A2DP

About

Phosphor 3

This app recreates a vintage digital synthesizer, offering a faithful emulation of a classic sound engine. It includes modern features like MPE, extensive modulation, and a new UI for sonic exploration.

Highlights
  • Vintage digital synthesizer emulation
  • Additive synthesis engine
  • MPE support
  • Extensive modulation routing
  • Preset manager
  • Tuning tables
Read full description

Glow in the dark synthesis. Phosphor 3 is a dual-oscillator additive synthesizer that puts the raw building blocks of sound at your fingertips. Draw, randomize, or select up to 64 harmonics per oscillator, then shape them with envelopes, LFOs, cross-modulation, and a flexible mod matrix. Originally inspired by the alphaSyntauri, a rare digital additive synth from the early 1980s, Phosphor 3 takes that concept far beyond its origins with modern MPE expression, polyphonic modulation, and a full effects engine. --- Additive Oscillators Two identical additive oscillators, each with up to 64 individually editable harmonics. Start from classic shapes: sawtooth, triangle, square, or draw your own harmonic spectrum directly in the partial editor. The intelligent randomizer generates musically useful timbres with variable rolloff, density, and formant peaks, so every click produces something worth exploring. Choose 16, 32, or 64 partials per oscillator to balance complexity against CPU. Each oscillator has independent level, pan, transpose, fine tune, a noise generator with lo-fi downsampling, and cross-modulation (FM) for pushing timbres into harsher, more complex territory. Modulation Two ADSR envelopes with adjustable attack, decay, and release curves. Two LFOs with four waveforms (pulse, sine, saw, random), tempo sync, and the option to run polyphonically, a separate LFO per voice, or globally. An 8-source modulation matrix routes velocity, pressure, pitch bend, mod wheel, CC 74, triggered random, and both LFOs to destinations across the oscillators and effects. Effects Stereo delay with independent left/right time, feedback, and cross-channel feedback for ping-pong and rhythmic patterns. Tempo sync locks delay times to your DAW. Dual band-pass filters after the delay let you carve the wet signal into resonant, frequency-specific textures. Expression Full MPE support with per-note pitch bend, pressure, and slide across 16 polyphonic voices. Mono legato and mono retrigger modes with adjustable portamento. Unison mode for thick, detuned stacks. A scrollable 128-key on-screen keyboard with velocity from touch position, pitch bend from horizontal drag, and channel pressure from vertical drag, no hardware controller required. Tuning MTS-ESP client support for real-time microtuning from any MTS-ESP master. TUN file import for custom scales. Standard 12-TET with adjustable A4 reference. Supports AUv3 for use in GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other AUv3-compatible hosts.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Phosphor 3 at 4.7 against Poseidon Synth's 4.0. Phosphor 3 also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 59%) and price ($5.99 vs $7.99). Poseidon Synth's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (33 vs 9). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

Poseidon Synth costs $7.99 and Phosphor 3 $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Phosphor 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Poseidon Synth's written reviews are positive against 79% of Phosphor 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, Phosphor 3 every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on August 4, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Poseidon Synth versus Phosphor 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPoseidon SynthPhosphor 3
Price$7.99$5.99 — better
Rating4.0 (33 ratings)4.7 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.8% of reviews78.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings33 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size328 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

Poseidon Synth

All ratings33 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews51 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral15.7%
Negative25.5%

Phosphor 3

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive78.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative7.1%

In-app purchases

None

Poseidon Synth

No in-app purchases

None

Phosphor 3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Poseidon Synth free?
Poseidon Synth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phosphor 3 free?
Phosphor 3 costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Poseidon Synth or Phosphor 3?
Phosphor 3 is rated higher. Poseidon Synth averages 4.0 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while Phosphor 3 averages 4.7 from 9 ratings.
Do Poseidon Synth or Phosphor 3 have ads?
Neither Poseidon Synth nor Phosphor 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Poseidon Synth or Phosphor 3?
Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, and Phosphor 3 every 11 months. Most recently, Poseidon Synth was updated on August 4, 2026 and Phosphor 3 on July 6, 2026.

Other comparisons