Comparison

BeatMaker 3 vs SynthMaster 2

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

Head to head
About

BeatMaker 3

This music production studio offers an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation, combining desktop software power with hardware efficiency. Create, perform, and record your musical ideas with advanced sampling, sequencing, and mixing tools. Integrate external apps and export your finished tracks.

Highlights
  • Streamlined performance and recording workflow
  • Advanced sampling engine with live stretching
  • Classic timeline and flexible scene-based sequencing
  • Full-fledged mixer with multi-channel routing
  • AUv3 and IAA app integration
  • Inspirational sound library and export options
Read full description

▸ REDEFINING MUSIC PRODUCTION BeatMaker brings unmatched efficiency and depth in an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation. Look no further, the power of traditional desktop software and real hardware is now united into one single production studio. ▸ PLAY • PERFORM • RECORD Its streamlined workflow lets you perform and shape your ideas quickly and effectively, turning your instruments into full productions. Inspirational performance tools such as repeat, roll, swing, key scales & chords and macro controls will boost your creativity tenfold. Take control of it all with your MIDI gear and the new smart binding system. ▸ CRAFT YOUR OWN INSTRUMENTS 128 banks of 128 pads, where each one of them is a full-fledged instrument with multiple dimensions. Record and chop live, assemble, mangle and resample: our state of the art sampling engine will sculpt your ideas, giving life to your instruments with a full modulation and layering system. With ZPlane’s Elastique live stretch and pitch shift, adjust your loops and instruments to match the tempo or go experimental. You can even integrate your favorite synth & effect apps with full AUv3 and IAA support. ▸ PRECISE SEQUENCING The classic timeline based pattern & song editor gives all the modern sequencing features you‘d want to arrange complete tracks. Adding to this foundation, the new flexible Scene Mode opens up opportunities for remixing and live performances, looping and arranging clips in new ways. All the patterns, automations and sequencing tools are available right where you would expect. Add audio tracks to the mix, stretch them, turn your arrangements into a complete masterpiece. You can even play in sync with other software using Ableton Link. ▸ INSPIRATIONAL LIBRARY The ever growing sound store will bring premium and exclusive content to your own library. The genius of our sound designers will enhance your productions instantly, whether you’re looking for a classic 808 bass or exploring new musical genres. ▸ FULL FLEDGED MIXER Multi-channel recording & input/output routing is now a reality with the support of USB audio interfaces. Fine-tune your mix with the modern mixing board: every track, every pad has its own channel with unlimited effects and up to 8 sends. Add new depths to your sound with our palette of effects (internal or external AUv3/IAA). ▸ EXPORT AND SHARE Export your compositions and separated elements into single stems to share, re-use, re-work, re-master within a traditional studio setup Read the full specs on http://intua.net ! ▸ COMPATIBILITY - Works with 32-bits and 64-bits iPads. - Native iPad Pro support - iOS 9.3+ required - Best experience on newer models - iPhone version coming soon ▸ Documentation - Full documentation and tutorials available at http://support.intua.net

About

SynthMaster 2

This powerful software synthesizer offers a vast array of sound design capabilities, including multiple oscillator modes, extensive modulation options, and a wide selection of filters. Explore over 1000 factory presets or create your own unique sounds. Available as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin.

Highlights
  • Multiple oscillator modes (Basic, Additive, Wavetable, Vector)
  • Extensive modulation architecture
  • 6 filter categories
  • Import custom wave files
  • 1000+ factory presets
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin
Read full description

KV331 Audio is proud to announce the availability of their award winning software synthesizer SynthMaster 2.9 on iOS platform. As being the first app developed using KV331 Audio’s new cross-platform UI framework, SynthMaster 2 runs as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin on iPads with iOS 11 and above. SynthMaster 2 supports native resolutions of various iPad devices. User interfaces are provided for 9.7, 11 and 12.9 inch iPads in 4 different skins (Blue, White, Dark, Proto). Separate interfaces are provided for the AudioUnit plugin as well. SynthMaster 2 comes with 1000 factory presets designed by world class sound designers such as BigTone, Nori Ubukata, NatLife and Yuli Yolo. Thanks to the comprehensive preset browsing features, users can easily filter presets by author name, bank name, instrument type or preset name and find the sounds that they are looking for. There’s also an IAP Shop, which lets users purchase additional sounds: 1. "Desktop Presets Upgrade": This IAP adds all factory presets in SynthMaster 2.9, increasing the total preset count to 2000. 2. "All Expansions Bundle": This IAP adds all current 38 SynthMaster preset expansion banks. Sound Engine: At the heart of SynthMaster 2’s powerful sound engine lies its oscillators, modulators, and filters. Oscillators: The oscillators can operate in 4 different modes to generate sound: 1. In Basic mode, the oscillator plays single cycle waveforms or samples. With the Oscillator Unison turned on, up to 8 voices per oscillator can be played. 2. In Additive mode, 8 Basic oscillators can be stacked up to create richer tones. 3. In Wavetable mode, the oscillator can play wavetables with up to 256 frames. 4. In Vector mode, 4 Basic oscillators are mixed in 2 dimensions. Modulators: Modulators are simply basic oscillators that can be added to other oscillators or modulate other oscillators’ or modulators’ phases. By connecting modulators to other oscillators or modulators, complex FM tones can be synthesized. Importing Wave Files into SynthMaster: While designing sounds, users can easily import wave files into SynthMaster 2. SynthMaster 2 can categorize those files into waveforms, wavetables or multi samples and import them accordingly. Filters: Once the sound is generated by the oscillators it goes through SynthMaster’s filters, which can operate in 6 different categories: Digital, VAnalog, Ladder, Diode Ladder, State Variable and Bite. Custom distortion can be applied before or after the filters as well. Modulation Architecture: SynthMaster 2 features a comprehensive modulation architecture with a wide range of modulation sources: 1. MIDI controls 2. Macros controls 3. 4 ADSR envelopes per layer 4. 4 Multisegmented envelopes per payer 5. 4 LFOs per layer 6. 4 Sequencers per layer 7. 4 Keyscalers per layer There’s real-time visual feedback that lets users see how modulation sources and targets are changing when a note is being played. This is extremely helpful when designing sounds with SynthMaster 2. New modulations can be created easily by dragging and dropping a modulation source onto a knob or slider control. Users can easily see which controls are modulated by a modulation source by clicking on that source. Controls that are being modulated by that source will display modulation amounts. By long pressing a control, the modulation amount can be edited without the need to go through the mod matrix. Arp/Sequencer: SynthMaster features a comprehensive arpeggiator / sequencer with 32 steps. Users can easily create sequences by recording steps one by one. Effects: Each of the 2 layers in SynthMaster has 5 insert effect slots. 13 different types of effects can be instantiated in any of those slots. There are also 2 global effect send busses which can be used to create more complex effect routings.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SynthMaster 2 at $14.99 against BeatMaker 3's $24.99. BeatMaker 3's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (4.5K vs 451). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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

BeatMaker 3 costs $24.99 and SynthMaster 2 $14.99 up front. BeatMaker 3 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and SynthMaster 2 sells 32 one-off in-app purchases. 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 BeatMaker 3 against 4.8 for SynthMaster 2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BeatMaker 3 has 4.5K ratings behind it against 451, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of BeatMaker 3's written reviews are positive against 68% of SynthMaster 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BeatMaker 3 ships an update monthly, SynthMaster 2 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
BeatMaker 3 versus SynthMaster 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeatMaker 3SynthMaster 2
Price$24.99$14.99 — better
Rating4.7 (4.5K ratings)4.8 (451 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.6% of reviews68.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.5K — better451
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size216 MB918 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINTUAKV331 Audio

Customer experience

BeatMaker 3

All ratings4,459 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews470 reviews
Positive62.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative26.8%

SynthMaster 2

All ratings407 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews111 reviews
Positive68.5%
Neutral16.2%
Negative15.3%

User reviews

BeatMaker 3

From 4.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sampler
  • 🚀 Versatile DAW capabilities
  • 👍 Great for live performance
  • 👍 Excellent value for money
  • 👍 Seamless AUv3 integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 Stability issues with plugins
  • 🐛 Buggy MIDI functionality
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 👎 Confusing file management

SynthMaster 2

From 451 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best synth on iPad
  • 👍 Delicious sound
  • 👍 Tremendously powerful synth
  • 👍 Great synth with complex possibilities and great sound(s)
  • 👍 Perfeito

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Auswahl der Modulationsquellen funktioniert nicht richtig
  • 🐛 Echt schlecht
  • 🐛 Broken Preset System for a powerful synth
  • 🐛 Please fix the OSC behavior on Square and Saw
  • 🐛 Preset issues

Bugs and requests

BeatMaker 3

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when switching sound banks
  • MIDI keyboard disconnects on stop
  • Samples losing sync after export
  • Glitches with AUv3 plugin loading
  • Inconsistent behavior with touch controls

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to rearrange pads
  • Improved MIDI sync and control
  • More sound packs and updates
  • Custom color themes
  • Streamlined project management
Show 1 more
  • Expanded piano roll functionality

SynthMaster 2

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Presets not loading correctly
  • Modulation not working after loading project
  • Skin resets to default
  • App crashes frequently

Requested features

2 requests
  • Pitch bend/glide for imported samples
  • Integration with AUM audio mixer

In-app purchases

11 purchases

BeatMaker 3

One-time11
  • Starter Pack #1: July 2017Free
  • Starter Pack #2: August 2017Free
  • ThudRumble Gigantic Balls BassFree
Show 8 more
  • Modularism$0.99
  • Aquatronika$0.99
  • Beatlab$0.99
  • Ashes II$0.99
  • Arpism$0.99
  • INTUA 808 Science$1.99
  • MSXII The Constituent$1.99
  • MSXII The Fly Life$1.99
32 purchases

SynthMaster 2

One-time32
  • BigTone Tableworks Vol.2$1.99
  • Burak Yeter Synth Sounds Vol1$1.99
  • Aiyn Zahev Expansion 1$1.99
Show 29 more
  • BigTone Tableworks Vol.1$1.99
  • Michael Kastrup Expansion$1.99
  • EDM Stars Volume 1$1.99
  • Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.4$1.99
  • Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.2$1.99
  • Alonso Sound Future Rave$1.99
  • Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.1$1.99
  • BigTone Techno Bits Vol.1$1.99
  • Club Sequences Vol.1$2.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.3$2.99
  • Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.2$2.99
  • Nori Ubukata Art Rock Basics$2.99
  • BigTone Analog Basics 02$4.99
  • BigTone Analog Basics$4.99
  • BigTone Signature Sounds Vol.1$4.99
  • NU Sounds of the World$4.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.4$4.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.1$4.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.2$4.99
  • Japan Vintage$4.99
  • NatLife Future Bass Sounds$4.99
  • Danyella EDM Expansion Vol.1$4.99
  • Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.1$4.99
  • Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.3$4.99
  • Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.3$4.99
  • Natlife Disco Funk$4.99
  • Insigne Essentials 4 Clubbin$4.99
  • Desktop Presets Upgrade$9.99
  • All Expansions Bundle$49.99

Questions

Is BeatMaker 3 free?
BeatMaker 3 costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is SynthMaster 2 free?
SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BeatMaker 3 or SynthMaster 2?
SynthMaster 2 is rated higher. BeatMaker 3 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.5K ratings, while SynthMaster 2 averages 4.8 from 451 ratings.
Do BeatMaker 3 or SynthMaster 2 have ads?
SynthMaster 2 shows ads; BeatMaker 3 does not.
Which is updated more often, BeatMaker 3 or SynthMaster 2?
BeatMaker 3 ships an update monthly, and SynthMaster 2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, BeatMaker 3 was updated on October 12, 2026 and SynthMaster 2 on October 10, 2026.

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