# STAELLA vs Synth Modes

The clearest difference is price: STAELLA at Free against Synth Modes's $3.99. STAELLA also leads on ratings volume (1.7K vs 52). Synth Modes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

STAELLA is free to download; Synth Modes costs $3.99 up front. STAELLA sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Synth Modes asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for STAELLA against 4.0 for Synth Modes. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: STAELLA has 1.7K ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 45% of STAELLA's written reviews are positive against 64% of Synth Modes's.

STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, Synth Modes every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | STAELLA | Synth Modes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [3.9 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staella-music-visualizer-vj/id1370376584/reviews) | **[4.0 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth-modes/id1445358435/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 52 |
| Positive reviews | 44.8% of reviews | **63.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#187** |
| Size | 256 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [monocro](https://appshunter.io/developer/368219917) | [Thomas Burns](https://appshunter.io/developer/522224284) |

## What reviewers say

### STAELLA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staella-music-visualizer-vj/id1370376584)

Create dynamic, real-time music visualizations with customizable effects. Import audio from various sources, record your creations, and share them on social media. Offers advanced control with MIDI integration and keyboard shortcuts.

**Highlights:** Real-time audio-reactive visuals, Customizable effects and colors, Import music from playlists, mic, or simulation, One-touch video recording, MIDI device integration, Keyboard shortcuts for control, Gesture controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| STAELLA Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| STAELLA Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Toolkit pro | $9.99 | one-time |
| STELLA | $9.99 | one-time |
| TERRA | $9.99 | one-time |
| MACHINA | $9.99 | one-time |
| NEX | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing visuals
- 👍 Great for music production
- 💡 Customizable effects
- 🚀 Responsive app
- 👍 Fantastic customer service

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Locked behind paywall
- 🐛 Crashes and glitches
- 🔒 Limited free features
- 🐛 Buggy recording functionality
- 🔒 Restrictive music integration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Music playback issues and controls not working
- Inability to import user's own music files
- Exported videos have poor quality and audio sync issues

**Requested features**

- Add support for streaming services
- Improve export and download options
- Expand customization and control over visuals
- Implement portrait mode and different aspect ratios
- Add ability to layer and blend multiple visuals


### Synth Modes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth-modes/id1445358435)

**Currently charting:** #187 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Quickly access cheat sheets for your eurorack synthesizer modules. Search by text or mode type, favorite pages, and generate patch ideas with the built-in generator. Replaces binders of printed PDFs with a faster, easier-to-use digital reference.

**Highlights:** Cheat sheets for 45+ eurorack modules, Search by text or mode type, Favorite pages for quick access, Patch generator for module ideas, Supports multiple firmware versions, Replaces printed PDF binders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is STAELLA free?

STAELLA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Synth Modes free?

Synth Modes costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, STAELLA or Synth Modes?

Synth Modes is rated higher. STAELLA averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Synth Modes averages 4.0 from 52 ratings.

### Do STAELLA or Synth Modes have ads?

STAELLA shows ads; Synth Modes does not.

### Which is updated more often, STAELLA or Synth Modes?

STAELLA ships an update every 2 months, and Synth Modes every 4 weeks. Most recently, STAELLA was updated on October 24, 2026 and Synth Modes on October 24, 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.*