Comparison

Addictive Pro vs ButterSynth

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

Head to head
About

Addictive Pro

This app offers a powerful hybrid synthesis engine for creating complex and dynamic sounds. Explore wavetable, noise, virtual analog, and FM synthesis with extensive modulation and effects. It includes a polyrhythm arpeggiator and real-time control options for musical inspiration and sound design.

Highlights
  • Hybrid synthesis engine
  • Wavetable spectrum synthesis
  • Virtual Analog synthesis
  • Polyrhythm Arpeggiator
  • Real-time parameter control
  • Studio-standard effects section
  • AudioUnit Instrument support
Read full description

The hybrid synthesis algorithm on which Addictive Pro is based provides you with efficient means for easy control of complex sounds far beyond usual sound synthesis methods: Addictive Pro provides you a with unique form of Wavetable oscillators. These Wavetables are generated from the harmonic content and the free digital filter structure entered by the user. The sound of up to 12 of this Wavetable oscillators is then further refined with a classic analog filter available in several 24dB and 12dB forms. For the optional noise part of the sound you can use the same sophisticated digital filter struct as for the wavetable oscillators allowing for a vast variety of ever changing noisescapes. The intelligent sound and rhythm randomizer can be applied to different sound aspects separately for really useful sound design and inspiration. A four part polyrhythm Arpeggiator creates complex rhythmical structures with a touch of a finger. Features: Hybrid synthesis engine • Wavetable spectrum synthesis • Noise spectrum synthesis • Virtual Analog synthesis • FM and Ringmodulation synthesis Synthesizer details • Twelve wavetable spectrum oscillators per voice. • Morphing between two wave/filter sets. • Waves contain up to 256 partials. • Hand drawn filter structure. • Spectral noise generator using hand drawn filter structure. • Ten major sound parameters each with independent poly LFO and envelope modulators. • Real time parameter control using two X/Y touch pads, the tilt sensors of the iPad and MIDI Controllers.  • Monophonic or polyphonic with up to 16 voices. • 300 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared.  Effect section • Seven studio standard effects concurrently usable: • Oversampled distortion with four different algorithms for antialiased sound. • Low / High equalizer • 8 pole analog Phaser • Flanger • Four line chorus • Stereo/Ping-Pong delay with glitch free delay time change. • Hi end reverberation unit.   Four part Polyrhythm Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • Factory arpeggios included, unlimited user arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Global • Play melodies live with the onscreen keyboard. Unique drag function for slides and vibrato. • AudioUnit Instrument • Audiobus 2 with state saving • Inter App Audio • Ableton Link support • Can use CoreMIDI compatible MIDI Keyboard. • Select from dozens of scales and play them with scale optimized keyboard layout. • Audio recorder with share function. • Share user presets. • Support for virtual MIDI input connections. • Multichannel MIDI Learn for external MIDI controllers. • Ableton Link compatible. • MIDI Tempo sync. Start/Stop Arpeggio. • MIDI bank/program change. • Import function for Addictive Synth presets. • File sharing of presets via iTunes possible

About

ButterSynth

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
Currently charting
Read full description

ButterSynth is a hybrid 6-oscillator wavetable/FM/sample-based AUV3 and standalone synthesizer with a vast sonic range, from gentle pads to screaming leads and basslines. Mix any combination of wavetable, FM, sample and other synthesis engines for one truly massive sound. For the more advanced users, you'll love using ButterSynth's thoughtfully designed interface, incredibly powerful modulation matrix, fully-featured internal FX rack, factory waveform and sample libraries, and almost limitless scope for fun, experimentation and sound design. For less experienced synth programmers, ButterSynth includes a library of hundreds of ready-to-use presets, sparking your creativity to start making music right away. Headline features include - Mix and match any combination of 6 synthesis engines to either emulate your favourite synths of yester-year or build a synth ready for the future. - Dual-wavetable engines also feature 9 phase modes, wave folding, and deep unison controls modelled on vintage hardware synths. - Built-in wavetable editor gives you the ability to tweak, morph, and hand-draw your own custom wavetables, with each wavetable supporting up to 256 frames. - FM engine offers 4 operators with a selection of 12 modulation paths. Each operator can be loaded with any waveform from the factory or user library, and can also self-modulate via the feedback dial. - Sample and Granulator engines both let you load samples (either imported or from the factory library) and control precisely how they are chopped, triggered and layered. Both also feature the same powerful unison modes available in the WT engine. - Highly configurable 32-slot modulation matrix featuring precise mix/max ranges, self-modulation (via the amount target), plus configurable response curves and layer modes. Simply long-tap any parameter to set it as a Mod destination! - Full suite of versatile control sources which includes: 4x MSEG-style looping curve envelopes, 4x LFOs, 4x step sequencers, X/Y pad with motion recording, 8x Macro dials and a powerful arpeggiator inspired by Kirnu Interactive’s Cream. - The EFX rack lets you build your own insert effects chain using any combination of the 16 built-in FX modules. Modules available at launch include delay, reverb, distortion, chorus, OTT compression etc. Note - FX parameters can also be targeted by the mod matrix, unlocking the possibility to program ‘per voice’ modulated effects. - All presets, wavetables, samples and other settings are stored in the Files app, making bulk import/export, backup and community sharing quick and easy. - All of this is housed in an irresistibly designed 4-tab UI that makes synth programming quick and fun.

Screenshots

ButterSynth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Addictive Pro at $5.99 against ButterSynth's $19.99. Addictive Pro also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). ButterSynth's advantage is chart position (#190 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Addictive Pro costs $5.99 and ButterSynth $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Addictive Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 62 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Addictive Pro's written reviews are positive against 60% of ButterSynth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Addictive Pro ships an update every 2 weeks, ButterSynth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Addictive Pro versus ButterSynth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAddictive ProButterSynth
Price$5.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (18 ratings) — better4.0 (62 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better59.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1862 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#190 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB468 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsArto Vaarala

Customer experience

Addictive Pro

All ratings18 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative18.8%

ButterSynth

All ratings62 ratings
Positive72.6%
Neutral8.1%
Negative19.4%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive59.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative29.8%

Bugs and requests

Addictive Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ButterSynth

Reported bugs

39 issues
  • 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
Show 34 more
  • No audio when rendering or freezing track
  • Keyboard doesn't load on iPhone
  • iOS18 broke ButterSynth (audio recording issues)
  • Failed to load as Auv3
  • Crashes as soon as a preset is selected
  • Some patches hanging/sounding without input
  • CPU spikes to 100% on preset switching
  • Audio crackles on preset switching
  • Sample module has consistent buzz
  • LFOs are extremely simple (no phase offset)
  • Square wave LFO is not square (has slew)
  • Step sequencer always has glide/slew
  • Cannot save custom presets
  • No undo function in wave table editor
  • AUv3 plugin resets when ButterSynth crashes
  • Does not show up as auv3 in Cubasis, AUM, or Audio Evolution
  • Crashes regularly even on newest iPad
  • Preset changes every time play is pressed
  • Not resizing appropriately on smaller screens
  • Crashes with unison function in AUM
  • White noise on crash with unison
  • Sound continues after song stops in GarageBand
  • Preset changes on stop, rewind, or play in GarageBand
  • Keeps crashing in GarageBand (AUv3)
  • Patches in standalone sound different as AUv3
  • Crashes when hitting play with arpeggiator/sequencer on iPhone
  • No keyboard appears in iPhone standalone mode
  • Audio Unit Extension quit error on export
  • Lots of crashes in standalone and hosted in AUM
  • MIDI not working
  • Automation still doesn’t work in Logic Pro
  • Random LFO is great for recording sequences
  • Preset browser closes each time a new preset is selected
  • Works as AUv3 after starting in standalone mode

Requested features

20 requests
  • 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
Show 15 more
  • Longer LFO speed for evolving soundscapes
  • Alternative skins/color themes
  • Pinable preset browser
  • Virtual keyboard to remain active while browser is pinned
  • Make app take up whole screen (no black borders)
  • Master detune
  • Parameter lock
  • More presets
  • Fix square wave LFO to be truly square
  • Fix step sequencer glide/slew for discrete steps
  • Undo function in wave table editor
  • Filter key follow button
  • Adjust envelope curves (especially release)
  • Easier way to adjust modulation matrix amount
  • Phase distortion inclusion

In-app purchases

None

Addictive Pro

No in-app purchases

None

ButterSynth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Addictive Pro free?
Addictive Pro costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ButterSynth free?
ButterSynth costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Addictive Pro or ButterSynth?
Addictive Pro is rated higher. Addictive Pro averages 4.7 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while ButterSynth averages 4.0 from 62 ratings.
Do Addictive Pro or ButterSynth have ads?
Neither Addictive Pro nor ButterSynth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Addictive Pro or ButterSynth?
Addictive Pro ships an update every 2 weeks, and ButterSynth every 2 months. Most recently, Addictive Pro was updated on June 11, 2026 and ButterSynth on September 16, 2026.

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