Comparison

FM Essential vs Polywave

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

FM Essential

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
Read full description

Featuring an FM tone generator, FM Essential is a synthesizer app for the iPhone and iPad that provides for real-time synth performances and also lets you edit voices. [Spec] -FM sound ・Tone Generator: FM ・Part: 1 ・Polyphony: 16 ・Preset Voice: 271 ・Arpeggiator patterns: 64 ・Chord pads: 20 ・Scales: 25 -Drum Part Tone Generator: Audio Part: 1 Drum Pad: 16 Drum Pad Set: 3 Functions Plug into MX! -You can play full 271 voices and voice store function if you connect your iOS with Yamaha music synthesizer MX BK/BU series. Effects/EQ edit -You can adjust parameters to edit effects and equalization. Ball controller -Touch and drag in ball controller to modulate the sound by simultaneously changing multiple parameters based on the ball position. Step sequencer -We can store the ball position in the currently selected scene box. Arpeggiator and chord pads -You can play Arpeggiator and Chord pads in addition to keyboard with various scales. What's MX BK/BU/WH series? Find more here: http://jp.yamaha.com/products/music-production/synthesizers/mx_bk_bu/?mode=series [Support] -Compatible with Audio Unit Extentions -Compatible devices: iPhone 5S, 6/6 plus, 6s/6s plus and SE, iPod touch 6th Generation or later, iPad Air 1st Generation or later, iPad mini 2nd Generation or later,iPad Pro

About

Polywave

Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Wavetable sequencer
  • Custom waveform drawing
  • Expansive waveform library
  • 100+ factory presets
  • MIDI and Audio Unit support
  • Live recording module
  • 8-voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

Screenshots

FM Essential4 screens
Polywave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Polywave at 4.7 against FM Essential's 3.0. Polywave also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 40%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 15 months). FM Essential's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FM Essential asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Polywave holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of FM Essential's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, Polywave every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
FM Essential versus Polywave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFM EssentialPolywave
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (70 ratings)4.7 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings70 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYamaha Corporation of AmericaFingerlab

Customer experience

FM Essential

All ratings65 ratings
Positive43.1%
Neutral12.3%
Negative44.6%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative47.5%

Polywave

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%

In-app purchases

None

FM Essential

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Polywave

One-time1
  • Full Version$7.99

Questions

Is FM Essential free?
FM Essential is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Polywave free?
Polywave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FM Essential or Polywave?
Polywave is rated higher. FM Essential averages 3.0 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while Polywave averages 4.7 from 34 ratings.
Do FM Essential or Polywave have ads?
Neither FM Essential nor Polywave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FM Essential or Polywave?
FM Essential ships an update every 15 months, and Polywave every 3 months. Most recently, FM Essential was updated on October 6, 2026 and Polywave on October 10, 2026.

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