# AudioKit Digital D1 Synth vs SynthMaster 2

The clearest difference is price: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth at Free against SynthMaster 2's $14.99. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth also leads on ratings volume (2K vs 451) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download; SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99 up front. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and SynthMaster 2 sells 32 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for AudioKit Digital D1 Synth against 4.8 for SynthMaster 2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2K and 451 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's written reviews are positive against 68% of SynthMaster 2's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AudioKit Digital D1 Synth | SynthMaster 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $14.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540/reviews)** | [4.8 (451 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-2/id1566704584/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2K** | 451 |
| Positive reviews | **76.0% of reviews** | 68.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 636 MB | 918 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) | [KV331 Audio](https://appshunter.io/developer/944155925) |

## What reviewers say

### AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540)

This app is a virtual analog and PCM synthesizer for iPad, inspired by the digital synthesizers of the 80s and 90s. It offers a vast library of presets, advanced synthesis features, and built-in effects for creating rich, retro-inspired sounds.

**Highlights:** 64-voice hybrid digital poly synthesis, 1GB+ of original samples, Stand-alone, IAA, and AUv3 support, Vintage-style arp/step sequencer, 3 LFOs with fun routings, Dual independent per-layer filters, Built-in FX suite

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| D1 PCM Expansion-01 | Free | one-time |
| Platinum Expansion PCM EXP-01 | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Excellent sound quality
- 🎹 Versatile and inspiring presets
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 💰 Great value for the price
- 🔥 Cutting-edge digital synthesis

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔒 Lack of Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- 🤔 Some presets not easily usable
- 🕰️ Slow loading times in certain DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly
- MIDI note dropouts and latency
- Crashes when used with certain DAWs
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- Improve MIDI integration and responsiveness
- Implement a built-in recording/sampling feature
- Expand preset library with more genres and styles
- Add more sound design controls and modulation options


### SynthMaster 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-2/id1566704584)

This powerful software synthesizer offers a vast array of sound design capabilities, including multiple oscillator modes, extensive modulation options, and a wide selection of filters. Explore over 1000 factory presets or create your own unique sounds. Available as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin.

**Highlights:** Multiple oscillator modes (Basic, Additive, Wavetable, Vector), Extensive modulation architecture, 6 filter categories, Import custom wave files, 1000+ factory presets, Standalone app and AUv3 plugin

**In-app purchases (32)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BigTone Tableworks Vol.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Burak Yeter Synth Sounds Vol1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Aiyn Zahev Expansion 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Tableworks Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Michael Kastrup Expansion | $1.99 | one-time |
| EDM Stars Volume 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.4 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Alonso Sound Future Rave | $1.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Techno Bits Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Club Sequences Vol.1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Art Rock Basics | $2.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Analog Basics 02 | $4.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Analog Basics | $4.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Signature Sounds Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| NU Sounds of the World | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Japan Vintage | $4.99 | one-time |
| NatLife Future Bass Sounds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Danyella EDM Expansion Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Natlife Disco Funk | $4.99 | one-time |
| Insigne Essentials 4 Clubbin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Desktop Presets Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| All Expansions Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best synth on iPad
- 👍 Delicious sound
- 👍 Tremendously powerful synth
- 👍 Great synth with complex possibilities and great sound(s)
- 👍 Perfeito

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Auswahl der Modulationsquellen funktioniert nicht richtig
- 🐛 Echt schlecht
- 🐛 Broken Preset System for a powerful synth
- 🐛 Please fix the OSC behavior on Square and Saw
- 🐛 Preset issues

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly
- Modulation not working after loading project
- Skin resets to default
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Pitch bend/glide for imported samples
- Integration with AUM audio mixer


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AudioKit Digital D1 Synth free?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SynthMaster 2 free?

SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or SynthMaster 2?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is rated higher. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while SynthMaster 2 averages 4.8 from 451 ratings.

### Do AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or SynthMaster 2 have ads?

Both AudioKit Digital D1 Synth and SynthMaster 2 show ads.

### Which is updated more often, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or SynthMaster 2?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth ships an update every 3 weeks, and SynthMaster 2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth was updated on September 25, 2026 and SynthMaster 2 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.*