# Patch Base vs Mini Synthesizer

The clearest difference is price: Patch Base at Free against Mini Synthesizer's $4.99. Patch Base also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (85 vs 12). Mini Synthesizer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 31). On rating, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Patch Base is free to download; Mini Synthesizer costs $4.99 up front. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Mini Synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.4 for Patch Base against 3.5 for Mini Synthesizer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 85 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of Patch Base's written reviews are positive against 44% of Mini Synthesizer's.

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, Mini Synthesizer every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Patch Base | Mini Synthesizer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews) | **[3.5 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-synthesizer/id1126845799/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **85** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | **52.9% of reviews** | 44.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 69 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) | [Electro-Harmonix](https://appshunter.io/developer/1017393973) |

## What reviewers say

### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


### Mini Synthesizer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-synthesizer/id1126845799)

This app faithfully recreates a classic analog synthesizer from the 1980s, offering vintage sounds with modern updates. It features intuitive controls for pitch, filters, and delay, allowing for extensive sound shaping and preset saving.

**Highlights:** Faithful analog synthesizer recreation, Vintage and modern sound updates, Intuitive controls with sliders and switches, Extensive sound shaping (pitch, filters, delay, reverb), Preset management with unlimited user storage, Audiobus compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Patch Base free?

Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Mini Synthesizer free?

Mini Synthesizer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Patch Base or Mini Synthesizer?

Mini Synthesizer is rated higher. Patch Base averages 3.4 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Mini Synthesizer averages 3.5 from 12 ratings.

### Do Patch Base or Mini Synthesizer have ads?

Neither Patch Base nor Mini Synthesizer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Patch Base or Mini Synthesizer?

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, and Mini Synthesizer every 4 months. Most recently, Patch Base was updated on September 23, 2026 and Mini Synthesizer on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*