# Viking Synth vs SynthShred

The clearest difference is price: SynthShred at Free against Viking Synth's $3.99. SynthShred also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (200 vs 42). Viking Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

SynthShred is free to download; Viking Synth costs $3.99 up front. SynthShred sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Viking Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

Viking Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 200 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Viking Synth's written reviews are positive against 50% of SynthShred's.

Viking Synth ships an update every 4 months, SynthShred every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Viking Synth | SynthShred |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-synth/id1085274012/reviews)** | [4.4 (200 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthshred/id1475834403/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 42 | **200** |
| Positive reviews | **69.8% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 11 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blamsoft, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1051938244) | [Yugal Sharma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475834402) |

## What reviewers say

### Viking Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-synth/id1085274012)

This app emulates a classic monophonic analog synthesizer with advanced DSP technology. It features three variable wave oscillators, dual ladder filters, an LFO, and two modulation busses for versatile sound design.  An intuitive interface and extensive preset library make it ideal for creating thick bass and rich lead sounds.

**Highlights:** Three continuously variable wave oscillators, Dual ladder filters (Lowpass/Highpass), Multi-wave LFO, Two modulation busses, Intuitive user interface with expandable controls, 228 presets including Bass, Lead, and Synthwave, State-of-the-art DSP for authentic sound

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Great sound quality
- 💡 Versatile sound options
- 💰 Excellent value (free)
- 💻 Lightweight and efficient
- 🎹 Good for learning synthesis

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❓ Preset issues
- 🔌 Not a standalone app
- 🐛 Occasional crashes
- 💾 Settings not saving
- 🤷‍♂️ Difficult to find/use

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not showing up
- Presets disappear
- App not showing in AUv3 menu
- Settings not saving after iOS 14 update
- Crashes when opening presets browser

**Requested features**

- More subtle drive mode
- Categorized preset browser
- Polyphony option
- Dark mode
- More apps from developer


### SynthShred

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthshred/id1475834403)

This app is a virtual musical instrument offering a vast library of sound presets, including pianos, guitars, and synths. It provides customizable guitar tunings and a selection of musical scales with root key adjustments for easier playing. Enjoy expressive sound shaping with built-in effects and multiple playing modes.

**Highlights:** 139 sound presets, 29 guitar tuning presets, 14 musical scales, Diatonic surface option, Monophonic and Polyphonic Mode, Reverb and Echo effects

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Upgrade to SynthShred Pro | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Viking Synth free?

Viking Synth costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SynthShred free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Viking Synth or SynthShred?

Viking Synth is rated higher. Viking Synth averages 4.7 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while SynthShred averages 4.4 from 200 ratings.

### Do Viking Synth or SynthShred have ads?

Neither Viking Synth nor SynthShred shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Viking Synth or SynthShred?

Viking Synth ships an update every 4 months, and SynthShred every 4 days. Most recently, Viking Synth was updated on October 1, 2026 and SynthShred on October 3, 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.*