Comparison

Ripplemaker vs AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

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

Head to head
About

Ripplemaker

Explore sound with a West Coast-style modular synthesizer. This app offers a versatile playground for creating evolving drones and morphing basslines, with or without patching cables. It also includes a standalone sequencer with advanced pattern generation and mutation features.

Highlights
  • West Coast-style modular synthesis
  • Prewired monosynth functionality
  • Virtual patch cables for experimentation
  • Standalone sequencer with random pattern generation
  • Realtime probability-based mutation engine
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI Clock Sync
Features
Read full description

Ripplemaker: a West Coast Flavored (Semi-)Modular Synth The freedom and versatility of a modular synth in a stylish mobile package. In typical West Coast fashion the available modules, such as complex oscillator, lowpass gate, FM, mathematical utilities and slope generator, are designed for exploration and experimentation. The virtual patch cables will let you take your sound wherever you want to take it, from morphing basslines to evolving generative drones. A modular playground Even if you’re not familiar with modulars, wavefolders or control voltage you can dive right in, because all modules are prewired; offering a powerful monosynth without using a single cable. Then whip out the virtual cables and start patching. Ripplemaker is designed for fun - big enough to lose yourself into, yet intuitive enough to not get lost. Standalone sequencer goodness Sometimes you want to get away from your DAW and just play. That’s why Ripplemaker, beside being an AU plugin, also comes with a standalone sequencer app that helps you get creative. It has a random pattern generator with scale locks, a realtime probability-based mutation engine and it syncs with your other apps and hardware via Ableton Link or MIDI Clock. Download the user manual on www.ruismaker.com Connectivity beyond cables: obviously in a modular synth it’s all about cables. But Ripplemaker takes connectivity to the another level: - AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugin) Extension for use in iOS DAWs - Universal design (works on iPad 4+, iPhone 5S+, iPod Touch 6G+) - CoreMIDI, Virtual MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, - Audiobus 3, including AB3 MIDI IN+OUT and State Saving - Ableton Link - MIDI Clock Sync - WAV export, MIDI file export, AU preset export

About

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

This is a free, open-source professional synthesizer app for iOS devices. It offers over 300 presets, MIDI support, a sequencer, and vintage-inspired filters. Learn music production basics and create your own sounds.

Highlights
  • Over 300+ Presets
  • MIDI Support
  • Vintage-Style Sequencer
  • Analog Filters
  • Expressive Arpeggiators
  • Open-Source
Features
Read full description

“A big step forward for mobile music” - CDM (Create Digital Music) "Groundbreaking iOS synth app" - Cult of Mac "Must-download for every iPad owner" - MacBreak *** "2018 App of the Year, Runner up" – Stuff.tv *** *** “Best iOS Music Apps of 2018” – Cult of Mac *** *** “Best of 2018: iOS Apps for Musicians” – Ask.Audio *** "AudioKit Synth One is a free feature-packed synth for your iPad, including 300+ presets created by professional sound designers behind M83, Tycho, and Rihanna" - Engadget *** “Best Music Apps of 2018” – Music Radar *** LEARN OUR INCREDIBLE STORY: Audiokitpro.com/synth *** Optimized for newer iPads & iPhones for best performance. Note: Requires iPhone 6 or higher screen size. App will not work on older iPhone 5/SE/Touch devices "A Stunning Endeavor... Sounds Amazing!" - Francis Preve, Electronic Musician Magazine “Amazing & Brilliant… Sounds fantastic!” – The Sound Test Room "A great example of human endeavor" - Gaz Williams, Sonic State "Sounds amazing... the start of something huge." - Ask.Audio AudioKit Synth One is the first completely free & open-source professional iOS Synthesizer app in history. No Ads. No IAP. It will always be free. "Powerful... Awesome" - Synthtopia.com "An amazing synth app for your iPad that’s as close to sorcery as it gets" - GarageBand Guide "Must Have iOS Synthesizer" - Synth Anatomy "Synth One is a robust piece of free software" - The Verge "It WOWS you... immediately fun to start tweaking!" - discchord "A damn fine synth" - Computer Music Magazine "Open-source and seriously powerful" - Future Music Magazine "A labour of love that everyone can enjoy" - Music Radar "Extremely exciting passion project" - Music Tech Magazine "Make your own imposing synthesizer sounds and teach yourself the basics of music production" - Lifehacker Learn more: audiokitpro.com/synth Created by over 100+ volunteers around the world (including sound designers for M83, Rihanna, Kanye West, Neon Trees, Mike Posner, Tycho, and more), this app includes MIDI support (play it with a MIDI keyboard or controller), sequencer, vintage-inspired analog filters, expressive arpeggiators, warm analog delays, and, over 300+ presets to get you started! Email us your music & bugs: hello@audiokitpro.com SYNTH ONE FEATURES: This synthesizer is completely free, fully functional, and ad-free. There are no IAP or anything to buy -- It’s the ultimate free iPad music instrument app! • Hybrid Analog/FM Poly Synthesizer • Over 300+ Presets crafted by famous sound designers • Audiobus 3 & Inter-app Audio (IAA) • Ableton Link • Five Oscillators (2 DCO, FM, Sub, Noise) • 2 LFOs with over a dozen routing possibilities • Vintage-Style 16-Step Sequencer • Classic poly arpeggiator • MIDI in (Control with a MIDI Keyboard or AudioBus/IAA) • Touchable ADSR Envelopes for Amp & Filter • FM Oscillator w/ Mod • Mono glide and legato • Dedicated Sine/Square -12/24 Sub Osc • 4-Pole Vintage Low-Pass Filter • High-Pass/Band Pass Filters • Beautiful Costello Reverb • Multi-tap (ping-pong) delay • TouchPads • Preset & Bank Import/Export & More… BONUS: Full Source code is now available! AudiokitPro.com/Synth Plus, it’s completely open-source. Use the code to learn how to build your own synth app or modify the app yourself! OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://youtu.be/hwDNgCYowYs "Amazing noises that will make your ears squee with glee" - Stuff Magazine "Pick of the Week" - MacBreak On the roadmap: • MPE Support (Play w/ a Roli Seaboard) • AUv3 Plug-in support

Screenshots

Ripplemaker3 screens
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer at Free against Ripplemaker's $8.99. AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer also leads on ratings volume (27K vs 95). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer is free to download; Ripplemaker costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Ripplemaker against 4.9 for AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer has 27K ratings behind it against 95, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Ripplemaker's written reviews are positive against 94% of AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Ripplemaker versus AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRipplemakerAudioKit Synth One Synthesizer
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (95 ratings)4.9 (27K ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews94.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9527K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

Ripplemaker

All ratings95 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.4%

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

All ratings26,818 ratings
Positive98.5%
Neutral1.0%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews538 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.0%

Bugs and requests

Ripplemaker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Keyboard issues on iPhone
  • Crashes with Audiobus 3
  • Mod wheel issues

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add AU support
  • Add just intonation feature
  • Add dotted-8th-note delay option
  • Add more sound packs
  • Add drum machine/sequencing capabilities
Show 7 more
  • Add more complex waveforms
  • Add multi-filter support
  • Add more than 2 oscillators
  • Add ability to record MIDI tracks
  • Add support for Bluetooth MIDI controllers
  • Add dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard

In-app purchases

None

Ripplemaker

No in-app purchases

None

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ripplemaker free?
Ripplemaker costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer free?
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ripplemaker or AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer?
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer is rated higher. Ripplemaker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 95 ratings, while AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer averages 4.9 from 27K ratings.
Do Ripplemaker or AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer have ads?
Neither Ripplemaker nor AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ripplemaker or AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer?
Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, and AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer monthly. Most recently, Ripplemaker was updated on September 23, 2026 and AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer on September 24, 2026.

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