# FM Essential vs HD

The clearest difference is rating: HD at 5.0 against FM Essential's 3.0. HD also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). FM Essential's advantage is ratings volume (70 vs 3). 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.

HD holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FM Essential has 70 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, HD every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FM Essential | HD |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hd-300-assistant/id1526764718/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **70** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 10 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 88 MB | 76 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) | [Yamaha Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/353469356) |

## 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


### HD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hd-300-assistant/id1526764718)

This application connects to a specific device via Bluetooth to remotely control musical functions. It allows instructors to guide students with features like metronome operation, tempo setting, and pitch adjustment. It also includes tools for chord detection and tuning.

**Highlights:** Remote HD control (keyboard, metronome, temperament, transposition), Customizable beat and tempo settings, Individual volume and pitch adjustment, Demonstrate mode for pitch and volume feedback, Chord detection and naming, Adjustable tuner, Rhythm assistant

**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 HD free?

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

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

HD is rated higher. FM Essential averages 3.0 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while HD averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do FM Essential or HD have ads?

Neither FM Essential nor HD shows ads.

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

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, and HD every 10 months. Most recently, FM Essential was updated on November 2, 2026 and HD 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.*