# FM Essential vs AX

The clearest difference is rating: FM Essential at 3.0 against AX's 1.5. FM Essential also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 22%) and ratings volume (70 vs 17). AX's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

FM Essential holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 17 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of FM Essential's written reviews are positive against 22% of AX's.

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, AX every 8 months. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FM Essential | AX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614/reviews)** | [1.5 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ax-edge-editor/id1413621998/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **70** | 17 |
| Positive reviews | **40.0% of reviews** | 22.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 8 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 88 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) | [Roland Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/387333694) |

## What reviewers say

### FM Essential

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614)

This app is an FM tone generator and synthesizer for iPhone and iPad, offering real-time performance capabilities and voice editing. It includes a variety of presets, arpeggiator patterns, chord pads, and scales, along with drum functionalities. The app also supports external hardware integration and advanced sound manipulation through effects, EQ, and a ball controller.

**Highlights:** FM tone generator, Real-time synth performance, Voice editing, Arpeggiator and chord pads, Effects and EQ edit, Ball controller for sound modulation, Step sequencer

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Fantastic sound quality
- 👍 Easy to use
- ✨ Amazing synth capabilities
- 💡 Great FM synth app
- 🎵 Wonderful, flexible, intuitive synth

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔓 App locked by hardware
- 🔌 Connection issues
- 💸 Expensive hardware required
- ❓ Deceptive free app
- 😩 Limited functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Does not unlock with USB-C adapter
- App crashes when loading combinations
- Preset menus crash the app
- Combined Sounds no longer read from keyboard after iPad update
- Instruments stop working if effect filters are turned off

**Requested features**

- Unlock without hardware purchase
- Allow in-app purchase to unlock
- Bring back Tenori On apps
- Fix LFO delay parameter
- Add separate volume control for drums


### AX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ax-edge-editor/id1413621998)

This application allows users to customize their AX-Edge device by creating original sounds, editing system effects, and organizing sound lists for various performance needs. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth for seamless integration.

**Highlights:** Create original sounds (programs and tones), Edit system effects (EQ, reverb), Organize sound lists for performances, Wireless Bluetooth connection, Customize output sound for venues

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FM Essential free?

FM Essential is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AX free?

AX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FM Essential or AX?

FM Essential is rated higher. FM Essential averages 3.0 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while AX averages 1.5 from 17 ratings.

### Do FM Essential or AX have ads?

Neither FM Essential nor AX shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FM Essential or AX?

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, and AX every 8 months. Most recently, FM Essential was updated on October 22, 2026 and AX on October 22, 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.*