# StepBud vs Agonizer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StepBud at none against Agonizer's 3. StepBud also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and price ($4.99 vs $7.99). Agonizer's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (203 vs 38). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

StepBud costs $4.99 and Agonizer $7.99 up front. Agonizer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. StepBud asks for nothing beyond the download.

Agonizer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Agonizer has 203 ratings behind it against 38, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of StepBud's written reviews are positive against 78% of Agonizer's.

StepBud ships an update fortnightly, Agonizer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StepBud | Agonizer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408/reviews) | **[4.8 (203 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/agonizer/id1499426175/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 38 | **203** |
| Positive reviews | 70.6% of reviews | **78.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#200** | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 362 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### StepBud

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app is a versatile MIDI sequencer that allows for unlimited steps and detailed control over each step's parameters. It integrates with other music apps and supports various sequencing modes for creative performances.

**Highlights:** Unlimited steps, Step parameter control (note, velocity, rate, etc.), Custom MIDI CC messages, Step locking and skipping, Master fader with copy/shift modes, Step Editor for detailed note editing, Arpeggio modes (up, down, random)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Agonizer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/agonizer/id1499426175)

This app is a monophonic synthesizer focused on bass sounds, developed with a synth bass expert. It features dual wavetable oscillators, a mangle section, and built-in stereo effects. It supports MPE controllers and various audio/MIDI connectivity options for standalone or app-to-app use.

**Highlights:** Monophonic synth engine for bass, Dual wavetable oscillators, Built-in stereo effects, MPE controller support, Standalone and AUv3 operation, 140+ factory presets

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neon Nightmare Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Chrome Oasis Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Circuit Bender Pack | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Excellent sound quality and unique bass tones
- 🎨 Intuitive and well-designed user interface
- ⚙️ Powerful modulation and sound design capabilities
- 🎛️ Wobulator feature for creative bass manipulation
- 📦 Great presets included with the app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Keyboard legato/mono-synth behavior inconsistent
- 🐛 Frequent crashes in host applications (AUM, Cubasis, Audiobus)
- 🐛 No sound output in GarageBand and some AU hosts
- 🐛 App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
- 🐛 UI responsiveness issues and knob lag

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard does not properly handle legato/mono-synth note priority
- Crashes in Audiobus, AUM, and Cubasis host applications
- No sound output when used as AUv3 plugin in hosts
- No sound in GarageBand integration
- App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3

**Requested features**

- Polyphony mode or toggle between mono and poly
- Envelope drawing capability instead of preset selection
- Menu-based waveform selection instead of cycling
- Arpeggiator function
- Preset browser search and favorites filter


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StepBud free?

StepBud costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Agonizer free?

Agonizer costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, StepBud or Agonizer?

Agonizer is rated higher. StepBud averages 4.4 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Agonizer averages 4.8 from 203 ratings.

### Do StepBud or Agonizer have ads?

Neither StepBud nor Agonizer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StepBud or Agonizer?

StepBud ships an update fortnightly, and Agonizer every 5 months. Most recently, StepBud was updated on October 24, 2026 and Agonizer on October 25, 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.*