Comparison

LayR vs StringLab

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

Head to head
About

LayR

This powerful synthesizer app offers massive polyphony and multi-timbral sound design capabilities. Create rich, layered textures with flexible oscillators, filters, and extensive modulation options. Ideal for live performance and studio production.

Highlights
  • Massively polyphonic (up to 256 voices)
  • Multi-timbral sound design
  • Dual morphing oscillators
  • State variable filters and wave folder
  • Extensive modulation sources (LFOs, envelopes, random)
  • Stereo delay, reverb, and EQ
  • 8-track, 16-step Arpeggio Sequencer
  • Flexible MIDI control and mapping
Read full description

LayR is a massively polyphonic, multi-timbral synthesizer for iOS devices, optimized for modern 64 bit CPUs and capable of delivering up to 256 voices of rich, multi-layered and textured sounds. LayR's primary sound components are called Performances where a Performance is a set of Instruments and each Instrument is a set of Layers and each Layer is a complete synthesizer. A performance can consist of any number of instruments each with its own MIDI channel and crossfading keyboard span. Each Instrument can consist of any number of Layers to a maximum of 128. Each Layer has a dual oscillator that can morph with modulation between two shapes and phase states, two rich and warm state variable filters, a wave folder and a mixing section to blend oscillators and filters in any serial/parallel combination. For modulation (frequency, amplitude and phase) there are two Low Frequency Oscillators ranging from DC to audio frequency switchable to optionally follow keyboard pitch and restart phase when a note is started. Two loopable ADSR envelopes ranging from fractions of a second to over 100 seconds, an amplitude ADSR and a random number generator with a smoothing filter. With stereo delay, reverb and EQ on the output section LayR excels at not only emulating normal analog synth sounds but also at creating massive pads and huge spacy ambient textures with extremely long evolution cycles. Focused at keyboard players looking for a mobile synth that can be reliably used live on stage LayR is equally at home in the studio. An extensive selection of usable instrument and performance presets are included which can be loaded using MIDI bank select and program change messages in the same manner as hardware synths. LayR sports almost unparalled and extremely flexible MIDI control. Every parameter in the synth engine can be assigned to any MIDI Control Change number and parameters spread across multiple Layers can be grouped and controlled by a single MIDI cc with assignable range and direction. There is also an 8 track, 16 step Arpeggio Sequencer which can be used to create all sorts of exciting polyrhythmic looped patterns or even ambient generative music. Each track can have it's own speed, playback mode and length. On top of all that LayR has a MIDI Controller Mixer that can be used during performance to control the synth engine in real time and can also transmit MIDI cc's from LayR's output port to other destinations. Full IAA, Audiobus, Audio Unit and Link compatibility means LayR can be used with all hosts and other music apps on iOS and desktop DAWs.

About

StringLab

This app is a digital synthesizer that uses physical string modeling to recreate the sounds of various instruments, particularly plucked or hammered strings. It allows users to explore acoustic physics and create unique instrument textures through extensive parameter experimentation.

Highlights
  • Karplus-Strong physical modeling
  • Exciter Impact and Noise modes
  • Resonator objects with feedback
  • Frequency Dispersion support
  • External live input
  • Preset randomizer and manager
  • Drag & Drop preset export
Read full description

StringLab is a physical string modeling synthesizer based on Karplus-Strong theory. It is capable of reproducing the sounds of many different types of instruments, but is especially useful in the reproduction of hammered or plucked strings and other types of percussive instruments. It works by passing carefully crafted waveforms and short bursts of white noise through a series of tuned delay lines. The delay lines have an internal feedback loop with a series of filters to mimic the natural decay of harmonics found in a real instrument. StringLab allows you to discover the character of real-world accoustics, exploring the physics of how materials interact. Many new and original textures are born out of experimenting with the settings, so don't be afraid to experiment and create your own unique and dynamic instruments. Features •Karplus Strong based physical modeling. •Exciter Impact with multiple modes. •Exciter Noise with many envelope driven filters. •2 resonator objects with feedback. •8 bands per object with inversion. •4 Coupling modes. •Supports Frequency Dispersion. •Feedback low/high Damping. •Per object Body Filter. •Pitch Deformity. •External live input mode. •Preset randomiser. •Build it Preset Manager & Favourites. •Search Presets. •Drag & Drop preset export of presets. •Supports Color Sets.

Screenshots

LayR4 screens
StringLab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: StringLab at $14.99 against LayR's $24.99. StringLab also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). LayR's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 57%) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

LayR costs $24.99 and StringLab $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LayR holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LayR has 97 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of LayR's written reviews are positive against 57% of StringLab's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LayR ships an update every 2 months, StringLab every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
LayR versus StringLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLayRStringLab
Price$24.99$14.99 — better
Rating4.5 (97 ratings) — better4.3 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews77.9% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings97 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLiving Memory Software4Pockets.com

Customer experience

LayR

All ratings97 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral7.2%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive77.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative13.5%

StringLab

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

Bugs and requests

LayR

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Audio crackling and popping on iPad Pro 2018 and newer
  • App crashes when used as Audio Unit in DAWs
  • Unable to exit app on newer iPad models without workaround
  • Arpeggiator gets stuck on notes in hold mode
  • Contact support link not functional
Show 7 more
  • Apple's status bar overlays control labels
  • Preset content disappeared after reload
  • Stuck notes when using step arp with other AUs
  • App freezes and stutters on some devices
  • Inter-app audio crashes immediately
  • Velocity switch setting not saved between sessions
  • MIDI assignment dialog pops up during parameter editing

Requested features

12 requests
  • Built-in sampler with pitch and time shift
  • Mac version or VST/AU plugin
  • Preset tagging and favorites system
  • Rearrangeable preset slots
  • More presets and sound banks
Show 7 more
  • Song mode to link sequences together
  • 32 or 64-step sequencer instead of 16
  • Additional effects as in-app purchases
  • Better preset management and organization
  • Ability to adjust LFO rates with other mod sources
  • Global toolbar for better navigation
  • Wavetable generator

StringLab

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

LayR

No in-app purchases

None

StringLab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LayR free?
LayR costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is StringLab free?
StringLab costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LayR or StringLab?
LayR is rated higher. LayR averages 4.5 out of 5 from 97 ratings, while StringLab averages 4.3 from 14 ratings.
Do LayR or StringLab have ads?
Neither LayR nor StringLab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LayR or StringLab?
LayR ships an update every 2 months, and StringLab every 10 days. Most recently, LayR was updated on October 19, 2026 and StringLab on October 16, 2026.

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