# AudioLayer vs Dexed Synth

The clearest difference is rating: AudioLayer at 4.4 against Dexed Synth's 3.3. AudioLayer also leads on review sentiment (56% vs 30%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Dexed Synth's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $12.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

AudioLayer costs $12.99 and Dexed Synth $3.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dexed Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

AudioLayer holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 179 and 40 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of AudioLayer's written reviews are positive against 30% of Dexed Synth's.

AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, Dexed Synth every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | AudioLayer | Dexed Synth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $12.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | **[4.4 (179 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiolayer/id1381478666/reviews)** | [3.3 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dexed-synth/id1462551596/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **179** | 40 |
| Positive reviews | **55.6% of reviews** | 29.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#132** |
| Size | 242 MB | 105 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Harry Gohs](https://appshunter.io/developer/382428644) | [George Rosar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1462550889) |

## What reviewers say

### AudioLayer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiolayer/id1381478666)

This app is a powerful mobile multi-sampler for music production, offering advanced features for creating and manipulating complex instruments. It integrates seamlessly with iOS production environments and supports iCloud for easy collaboration and storage.

**Highlights:** Streaming Sample Engine (SSE), Hierarchical Layer and Zone editing, Seamless Instrument Switching (SIS), Integrated audio sample recorder, Auto Sampler for hardware synths, AUv3 AudioUnit integration, iCloud storage and collaboration

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SoundFont Import | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎹 Powerful multi-layer sampling capabilities
- 📥 EXS24 and SFZ file import support
- 🎯 Round-robin functionality for realistic instruments
- ⚡ Efficient performance on older devices
- 🎚️ Comprehensive effects rack with quality sound

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes across multiple iOS versions
- ⚠️ Stability issues in AUM and other hosts
- 🔌 High CPU/DSP usage causing performance spikes
- 🔋 Battery drain and device heating
- ❌ Missing undo function

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (splash screen)
- Reverb and chorus effects cause sound to disappear
- Pitch resets to -24 after stopping Logic Pro playback
- Layer voice polyphony controls not working properly
- SFZ batch import distributes samples incorrectly across layers

**Requested features**

- Time-stretching/pitch-shifting capability
- Program Change MIDI support
- Undo/Redo functionality
- GigaSampler .gig library support
- Soundfont SF2 import (now paid feature)


### Dexed Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dexed-synth/id1462551596)

**Currently charting:** #132 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app brings a powerful FM synthesizer to your mobile device, offering a vast library of sounds. It integrates with popular DAWs and supports external MIDI controllers for enhanced control and performance.

**Highlights:** FM Synthesizer port, Over 20,000 cartridges with 32 patches each, AudioUnit AUv3 plugin support, MIDI controller input via USB, Lock scroll and parameter locking, MIDI CC mapping

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AudioLayer free?

AudioLayer costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Dexed Synth free?

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

### Which has better reviews, AudioLayer or Dexed Synth?

AudioLayer is rated higher. AudioLayer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 179 ratings, while Dexed Synth averages 3.3 from 40 ratings.

### Do AudioLayer or Dexed Synth have ads?

Neither AudioLayer nor Dexed Synth shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AudioLayer or Dexed Synth?

AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, and Dexed Synth every 2 months. Most recently, AudioLayer was updated on September 23, 2026 and Dexed Synth on September 23, 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.*