SquareSynth 2 vs SNESynth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SquareSynth 2
Create 8-bit style music with this professional chiptune synthesizer. It offers versatile sound design inspired by classic consoles and integrates with modern music production tools.
- 8-bit style synthesizer
- NES and Commodore 64 inspired
- Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- Audiobus support
- 8 multitimbral channels
- Looping sound recorder with .wav sharing
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SquareSynth is an 8bit style synthesizer. It takes features from the NES console, and the Commodore 64 personal computer. It is a versatile, pro-quality chiptune music maker. Easily integrates with Audio Unit (AUv3) hosts to create a complete song writing solution. If you would like to experiment with lofi sounds and textures with modern features, look no farther. Features: ▷ Audio Unit Version 3 support. ▷ 8 multitimbral channels (5 voices each), accessible via MIDI. ▷ Each voice contains 4 waveforms (Pulse, 4-bit Triangle, Short Noise, Long Noise). ▷ Classic 8bit arcade video game sounds (blorp). ▷ Multi-mode Filter. ▷ Looping sound recorder, with .wav file sharing.
SNESynth
Create authentic 16-bit video game music and sound effects with a powerful synth engine. Explore over 400 presets, utilize a step sequencer, and record your creations. Works standalone or as an AUv3 plugin in iOS DAWs.
- 16-bit video game synth
- 2,500+ samples from video game chips
- Standalone app & AUv3 plugin
- Over 400 presets
- Step sequencer
- Audio recording and export
- MIDI keyboard support
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SUPER NINJA ENTERTAINMENT SYNTH. SUPER FUN! Chiptune and 16-Bit video game synth. Uses real synthesis and samples from actual video game chips. ** Leads, Sound FX, Inspiration, and FUN – you're gonna find it in this app! NOW, YOU’RE PLAYING WITH SYNTH POWER! This app uses "real" synthesis, combined with samples for the ultimate creative control and authentic sound. “AUDIOKIT HAVE STRUCK GOLD, PROVIDING SOME OF THE THE MOST AUTHENTIC RETRO SYNTH SOUNDS YOU’LL EVER HEAR!” -- The GarageBand Guide, 5 star YouTube review ++ Over 400+ Presets to inspire you, including 240+ "Starter" sounds to make your own sound! ++ Exclusive Free Presets by Analog Matthew, Cokomairena, DMT Cymatics, Electronisounds, GarageBand Guide, Gavinski, Mark Hupkens, Moby Pixel, and more! FEATURES: • 2,500+ Samples packed into 240+ Multi-sampled PCM instruments! • Standalone app & iOS AUv3 Plugin • Over 350+ presets to inspire you • Fun free-running step sequencer • 16-bit Synth, Drum, and Sound FX sounds included • Over 1 GB of sounds compressed to under 120 Mb • Audio recording, record your sounds then export wav files! No other apps needed • Use with MIDI keyboard or iOS MIDI host • Ableton Link MORE FEATURES: • Use as an AUv3 (AudioUnit Plugin) in iOS DAWs such as Logic, GarageBand, Cubasis, AUM, more • Step Sequencer with “Magic Gate”, variable divisions, multiple oscillator & layer destinations • Traditional Synth Engine (including Pulse Width Modulation - PWM the heart of chiptune sounds) • On board RECORDING – easily record your melodies, and sounds and export! • LFO: Multiple waveforms + Re-trigger + 2 Destinations • Full ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release for each layer) ++ Exclusive sounds made for this app... You can't get these sounds anywhere else! It's your secret sauce. + iPhone & iPad versions included for one low price More Info: www.audiokitpro.com/snesynth ** No video games themselves were sampled. The synthesis from vintage hardware sound chips was sampled. Plus, this app uses a "real" on board synth engine. This app does not sample any Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega, or Gameboy games. Nor does it have any affiliation with any of the companies or trademarks. We respect their pioneering work in sound design and have attempted to pay homage. We hope you enjoy the sounds and are able to be inspired! :) ### AudioKit is an open-source project intended to bring joy and music to people, and enlighten people on how to build custom instruments and iOS apps. All product names, images, and trademarks are the property of their respective ownes, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Product names are used solely for the purpose of identifying specific products related to hardware, synthesizers, sampling, sound design, and music-making. Use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement. We thank them for their incredible hardware and instruments.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SNESynth at 4.8 against SquareSynth 2's 4.1. SNESynth also leads on price ($4.99 vs $9.99) and review sentiment (85% vs 63%). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
SquareSynth 2 costs $9.99 and SNESynth $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SNESynth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37 and 75 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of SquareSynth 2's written reviews are positive against 85% of SNESynth's.
SquareSynth 2 ships an update every 5 weeks, SNESynth monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SquareSynth 2 | SNESynth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (37 ratings) | 4.8 (75 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | 84.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 37 | 75 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 14.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 114 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | James Navarro | AudioKit Pro |
Customer experience
SquareSynth 2
SNESynth
In-app purchases
SquareSynth 2
No in-app purchases
SNESynth
No in-app purchases









