# KORG iWAVESTATION vs ButterSynth

The clearest difference is price: ButterSynth at $19.99 against KORG iWAVESTATION's $29.99. ButterSynth also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). KORG iWAVESTATION's advantage is review sentiment (69% vs 59%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

KORG iWAVESTATION costs $29.99 and ButterSynth $19.99 up front. KORG iWAVESTATION sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ButterSynth asks for nothing beyond the download.

KORG iWAVESTATION holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 135 and 63 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of KORG iWAVESTATION's written reviews are positive against 59% of ButterSynth's.

KORG iWAVESTATION ships an update every 5 months, ButterSynth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KORG iWAVESTATION | ButterSynth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **$19.99** |
| Rating | **[4.2 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-iwavestation/id1118072618/reviews)** | [4.0 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buttersynth/id1497419006/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **135** | 63 |
| Positive reviews | **69.0% of reviews** | 59.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 96 MB | 468 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) | [Arto Vaarala](https://appshunter.io/developer/890886114) |

## What reviewers say

### KORG iWAVESTATION

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-iwavestation/id1118072618)

This app recreates a legendary 1990s synthesizer, offering time-varying timbre creation and advanced vector synthesis. Experience its unique sound-shaping potential with a renewed graphic interface and touch-based operation for iOS devices.

**Highlights:** Faithful reproduction of original WAVESTATION sound, Graphical wave sequence view with touch control, 1,500 sounds, 700+ waveforms, 55 effects, Powerful random sequence engine, AUv3 support for Logic Pro and GarageBand, Integration with KORG Gadget DAW

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Expansion Card Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎹 Classic synth sounds
- 👍 Improved interface over hardware
- 🎨 Excellent sound design capabilities
- 🎉 Randomize feature for inspiration
- 🔌 Gadget integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Lack of preset search/organization
- 🔊 Weak filter capabilities
- 🔌 No MIDI channel selection
- 🔌 Limited MIDI control options

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when saving user presets
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add AUv3 support
- Improve preset management and browsing
- Enhance MIDI functionality (channel selection, more CCs)
- Expand filter options (high-pass, band-pass)


### ButterSynth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buttersynth/id1497419006)

This powerful synthesizer app offers a hybrid approach, combining wavetable, FM, and sample-based synthesis. Create unique sounds with a vast sonic range, advanced modulation, and a built-in effects rack. It caters to both experienced sound designers and beginners with extensive presets.

**Highlights:** Hybrid 6-oscillator synthesis (wavetable, FM, sample), Built-in wavetable editor, FM engine with 4 operators, Sample and Granulator engines, 32-slot modulation matrix, Internal FX rack with 16 modules, Extensive preset library

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Deep sound design capabilities
- 🎛️ Versatile modulation matrix
- 🔊 Great sound quality
- 💡 Innovative wavetable generator
- 🌟 Serum-like experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📱 Fiddly on small screens
- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Disappears in Cubasis
- 🐛 Spikes CPU usage
- 🐛 Crashes on patch change

**Reported bugs**

- App crashing with AUM
- Disappears in Cubasis randomly
- Crashes all the time inside Logic
- Changing a patch spikes CPU to 99%
- Crashes on every patch change

**Requested features**

- MPE popup possible on top of the auv3
- Button to hide built-in keyboard
- Buffer size option
- Additional MIDI mappings (e.g., arpeggiator toggle)
- Sustain pedal support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KORG iWAVESTATION free?

KORG iWAVESTATION costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is ButterSynth free?

ButterSynth costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KORG iWAVESTATION or ButterSynth?

KORG iWAVESTATION is rated higher. KORG iWAVESTATION averages 4.2 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while ButterSynth averages 4.0 from 63 ratings.

### Do KORG iWAVESTATION or ButterSynth have ads?

Neither KORG iWAVESTATION nor ButterSynth shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KORG iWAVESTATION or ButterSynth?

KORG iWAVESTATION ships an update every 5 months, and ButterSynth every 2 months. Most recently, KORG iWAVESTATION was updated on November 4, 2026 and ButterSynth on November 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.*