# Viking Synth vs Decent Sampler

The clearest difference is price: Decent Sampler at Free against Viking Synth's $3.99. Decent Sampler also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). Viking Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 58) and review sentiment (69% vs 52%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Decent Sampler is free to download; Viking Synth costs $3.99 up front. Decent Sampler sells 58 one-off in-app purchases. Viking Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Viking Synth against 4.6 for Decent Sampler. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 52 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of Viking Synth's written reviews are positive against 52% of Decent Sampler's.

Viking Synth ships an update every 4 months, Decent Sampler monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Viking Synth | Decent Sampler |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-synth/id1085274012/reviews)** | [4.6 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decent-sampler/id1530441977/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 42 | **52** |
| Positive reviews | **69.4% of reviews** | 51.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 11 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blamsoft, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1051938244) | [Decidedly, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/783782943) |

## 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


### Decent Sampler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decent-sampler/id1530441977)

This music app lets you use professional-quality sample libraries on your mobile device. It supports Decent Samples libraries and SFZs, and can be used within other music production apps as an AUv3 plugin.

**Highlights:** Use professional sample libraries, Supports Decent Samples libraries, Supports SFZ files, AUv3 plugin compatibility, Standalone app functionality, New libraries added weekly

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (58)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Box Violin | Free | one-time |
| Dave Choir | Free | one-time |
| Resonator Glockenspiel | Free | one-time |
| Banjo Ukulele | Free | one-time |
| Kalimba | Free | one-time |
| Ukelin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 4 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Weber 1929 Baby Grand | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ramshackle Zither | $4.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Music Major Sample Library | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sawblade Kalimba Library | $4.99 | one-time |
| Melodica | $4.99 | one-time |
| Distance: Zero | $4.99 | one-time |
| Little Church Organ | $4.99 | one-time |
| Indie Guitar | $5.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 6 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 7 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Paper Drums | $6.99 | one-time |
| Relic Keyboard | $7.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 8 | $7.99 | one-time |
| HS-3715 Keyboard | $7.99 | one-time |
| Malevolence by Venus Theory | $8.99 | one-time |
| Viola Ensemble | $9.99 | one-time |
| Indie Bass | $9.99 | one-time |
| Metal Cups | $9.99 | one-time |
| Phonoharp | $9.99 | one-time |
| Violin Ensemble | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ethereal Vocals | $9.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Kalimba by Darel | $9.99 | one-time |
| Dangerous Undertones | $9.99 | one-time |
| Chroma Vol. 1 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Luminate | $9.99 | one-time |
| Horror Box | $9.99 | one-time |
| Tape Violins Sample Library | $10.99 | one-time |
| Interlaced Sample Library | $14.99 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 15 | $15.00 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 16 | $16.00 | one-time |
| Decent Sampler Store Item 19 | $19.00 | one-time |
| alt.strings | $19.99 | one-time |
| Felt & Fog | $19.99 | one-time |
| Organic Orchestra | $19.99 | one-time |
| Indie Drums | $19.99 | one-time |
| Bitscape 95 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Thyssia by Venus Theory | $19.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 20 | $20.00 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 24 | $24.00 | one-time |
| The Void | $24.99 | one-time |
| Processed Guitars | $24.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 25 | $25.00 | one-time |
| String Flows | $29.99 | one-time |
| 70s Summer Camp Sample Library | $29.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 30 | $30.00 | one-time |
| LoFi VaporTones Ds | $33.99 | one-time |
| Decent Samples Store Item 39 | $39.00 | one-time |
| Chamberlin M1 by Jamie Lidell | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Great sounds and libraries
- 🎹 Powerful sampler for iOS
- 💡 Free sample packs available
- ✨ High-quality instruments
- 🔄 Actively developed with updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and instability
- 💾 High RAM and storage usage
- 🔌 Issues with Logic Pro on iOS
- 🐌 Slow download manager
- 🤷‍♂️ Not working with older iPads

**Reported bugs**

- Instant crash on load
- App stopped working after iOS update
- AUV3 crashes out of nowhere
- Unresponsive upon opening
- Server issues for login

**Requested features**

- Add user/pass fill from password keeper
- Implement a download manager for multiple instruments
- Allow running within IAA or Audiobus
- Add ability to clear cache
- Fix multi-track support in AUV3


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Viking Synth free?

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

### Is Decent Sampler free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Viking Synth or Decent Sampler?

Viking Synth is rated higher. Viking Synth averages 4.7 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Decent Sampler averages 4.6 from 52 ratings.

### Do Viking Synth or Decent Sampler have ads?

Neither Viking Synth nor Decent Sampler shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Viking Synth or Decent Sampler?

Viking Synth ships an update every 4 months, and Decent Sampler monthly. Most recently, Viking Synth was updated on September 23, 2026 and Decent Sampler on September 6, 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.*