Comparison

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer vs SynthMaster One for iPhone

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

Head to head
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

About

SynthMaster One for iPhone

This powerful wavetable synthesizer app offers an intuitive workflow for creating new sounds. It features a rich library of wavetables, inspiring factory presets, and real-time modulation feedback for sound design.

Highlights
  • Wavetable synthesis
  • 300 factory presets
  • AUv3 support
  • Files App integration
  • Real-time modulation feedback
  • Semi-modular architecture
  • 32-step arpeggiator/sequencer
Read full description

SynthMaster One for iPhone is KV331 Audio's first full blown synth app for iPhone. It's a powerful wavetable synth with an intuitive workflow. With its simple layout, rich wavetable/waveform content and inspiring factory presets library, designing new sounds with SynthMaster One for iPhone is a joy. SynthMaster One for iPhone is feature wise identical to the desktop version except the following: * 8 voice polyphony (32 for the desktop version) * Comes with 300 presets (1250 for the desktop version) FEATURES * 300 Factory Presets: SynthMaster One iOS comes with inspiring factory presets from a world class team of sound designers: Arksun, Aiyn Zahev, BigTone Studios, Brian Transeau, Bluffmunkey, Bulent Biyikoglu, Gercek Dorman, Dejavu Sound, Fragment Audio, Kurt Ader, Mirko Ruta, Nori Ubukata, Rob Lee, Ufuk Kevser, Selcuk Ergen, The Machine, Vandalism Sound, Venus Theory, Vorpalsound and Xenos Soundworks * AUv3: SynthMaster One iOS supports AudioUnits V3, allowing multiple instances to run under supporting DAW apps like GarageBand, Cubasis or Beat Maker. * Files App Integration: Easily import/export presets, waveforms or scales using the common file browser UI (requires iOS 11+). * Real-time Modulation Feedback: See in real-time how modulation sources and targets change. This is a very helpful feature when designing sounds! * Cross Platform Cloud Synchronization: Easily synchronize your SynthMaster One related data across multiple platforms (Windows, MacOS, iPad, iPhone) * Semi-Modular Architecture: For each SynthMaster One instance, there are 2 oscillators with 2 sub oscillators, 2 Filters, 4 ADSR Envelopes, 3 LFOs, a powerful 16 step arpeggiator/sequencer and also 11 different effects that can be inserted on to 6 FX insert slots. The sub oscillators can be connected to the oscillators in 5 different modes which let you use it as a regular sub oscillator or do complex modulations such as ring modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation or frequency modulation. * 32 Step Arpeggiator/Sequencer: The arpeggiator in SynthMaster One features classic arpeggiator modes such as Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, UpDown2, DownUp2, AsPlayed as well as Sequence, Chord and Arpeggiate modes. * Wavetable Synthesis: SynthMaster One implements true wavetable synthesis which opens up new possibilities for sound design. It comes with a rich content library with hundreds of waveforms and wavetables. * Stereo Oscillators with up to 16 voices Unison: Each of the 2 oscillators in SynthMaster One have stereo output, and can have up to 16 voices "unison". Using the "voices", "voices mix", "detune curve", "detune spread", "pan stread", "tone spread" and "phase spread" parameters, each oscillator can generate a rich "supersaw" type sound. * Zero Delay Feedback Filters: All of the 4 filter categories in SynthMaster One are developed using the zero delay feedback filter technology. With advanced filter parameters like input gain, drive, acid, filter nonlinearities and up to 4 times oversampling you can get that "analog" sound from the filters! * Rich Set of Effects: SynthMaster One features 11 different effect types: Distortion, LoFi, Ensemble, Phaser, 6 Band EQ, Compressor, Vocoder, Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, Reverb. * Microtuning: SynthMaster One supports Scala tuning, so tuning can be set either for each preset or globally by loading from a Scala tuning file. SynthMaster One comes with 300+ scales ranging from 5 note equal tempered scales to 12 note alternate tuning scales. * Preset Browser: SynthMaster One features a comprehensive preset browser with separate search criterias for instrument type, preset attributes, music style or preset author. SUPPORTS * All 64-bit iPad devices * AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions * Note-per-channel MIDI controllers (MPE) * Ableton Link * Interapp Audio and AudioBus * Bluetooth LE MIDI Controllers * AirDrop

Screenshots

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer4 screens
SynthMaster One for iPhone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer at none against SynthMaster One for iPhone's 10. AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 66%) and ratings volume (27K vs 331). SynthMaster One for iPhone's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, rating, 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

Both are free to download. SynthMaster One for iPhone sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer against 4.8 for SynthMaster One for iPhone. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer has 27K ratings behind it against 331, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 66% of SynthMaster One for iPhone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer ships an update monthly, SynthMaster One for iPhone every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer versus SynthMaster One for iPhone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAudioKit Synth One SynthesizerSynthMaster One for iPhone
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (27K ratings) — better4.8 (331 ratings)
Positive reviews94.4% of reviews — better66.0% of reviews
Number of ratings27K — better331
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB297 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAudioKit ProKV331 Audio

Customer experience

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

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

SynthMaster One for iPhone

All ratings331 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral6.0%
Negative28.0%

User reviews

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

From 27K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 😎 Easy to use
  • 🔥 Clean patches
  • 👍 Awesome synth
  • 🎸 Works great with GarageBand
  • 🤩 Absolutely stunning

Room to improve

  • 🤔 No AU support yet
  • 🤔 Crashes with Audiobus 3
  • 🤔 Poor palette of sounds
  • 🤔 Mod wheel issues
  • 🤔 Occasional crashes

SynthMaster One for iPhone

From 331 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Excellent sound quality
  • 🤩 Incredible features for free
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 🎛️ Versatile sound design capabilities
  • 🎵 Great for GarageBand integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔌 Issues with GarageBand integration
  • 💸 In-app purchase problems
  • 🔄 Presets not saving
  • 📉 App appears abandoned

Bugs and 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

SynthMaster One for iPhone

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App crashes when loading saved presets
  • App crashes when setting default sound
  • AUv3 option disappears in GarageBand
  • Inability to reload user patches without crashing
  • Inability to purchase certain IAP packs
Show 5 more
  • Cells don't save, revert to first synth
  • App doesn't function or open in GarageBand
  • Every note is 1 note or lower
  • GUI is cut off on iPhone SE
  • IAA not loading in FL mobile

Requested features

10 requests
  • Fix in-app purchase issues
  • Improve GarageBand AUv3 stability
  • Enable saving of custom presets
  • Address crashing when loading presets
  • Fix note pitch issues
Show 5 more
  • Ensure app is not abandonware
  • Improve UI scaling on smaller screens
  • Fix wavetable scrolling issues
  • Make IAA work properly
  • Allow recording of music

In-app purchases

None

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

SynthMaster One for iPhone

One-time10
  • BigTone Club Construction Set$4.99
  • True Trance Sounds Volume 1$4.99
  • Vandalism Future House$4.99
Show 7 more
  • NatLife Retrowave Sounds Vol.1$4.99
  • Demis Hellen Euphoric Trance$4.99
  • NatLife Progressive&Deep Vol.1$4.99
  • Vandalism Shocking Future Bass$4.99
  • Venus Theory Trap Sounds$4.99
  • Desktop Presets Upgrade$9.99
  • SM One Expansions Bundle$24.99

Questions

Is AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer free?
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SynthMaster One for iPhone free?
SynthMaster One for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer or SynthMaster One for iPhone?
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer is rated higher. AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while SynthMaster One for iPhone averages 4.8 from 331 ratings.
Do AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer or SynthMaster One for iPhone have ads?
Neither AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer nor SynthMaster One for iPhone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer or SynthMaster One for iPhone?
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer ships an update monthly, and SynthMaster One for iPhone every 2 months. Most recently, AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer was updated on September 24, 2026 and SynthMaster One for iPhone on September 19, 2026.

Other comparisons