# Factory vs SynthShred

The clearest difference is rating: Factory at 4.9 against SynthShred's 4.4. Factory also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 55%). SynthShred's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Factory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SynthShred sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Factory holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 488 and 205 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Factory's written reviews are positive against 55% of SynthShred's.

Factory ships an update every 4 months, SynthShred every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Factory | SynthShred |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (488 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/factory-modular-synthesizer/id1458743434/reviews)** | [4.4 (205 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthshred/id1475834403/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **488** | 205 |
| Positive reviews | **81.4% of reviews** | 54.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 351 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) | [Yugal Sharma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475834402) |

## What reviewers say

### Factory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/factory-modular-synthesizer/id1458743434)

Create complex and organic sounds with a powerful modular synthesizer. Explore a vast array of synthesis types, a deep modulation matrix, and dynamic signal flow. Easily find and morph between sounds with a built-in browser and crossfader.

**Highlights:** Modular synthesis with extensive modulation matrix, Multiple oscillator engines and synthesis types, Dynamic signal flow with 3-FX chain, Morph crossfader for sound transformation, Preset browser with tagging and rating, Sequencers, Arpeggiator, and Quantizer

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Factory Full Version | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful synth engine
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
- 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
- 💡 Innovative modulation matrix
- 🎶 Inspiring and unique presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with other apps
- 🖥️ Pixelated interface on high-res displays
- 🔇 Note-sticking problems

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly in DAW projects
- CC assignment issues causing controls to freeze

**Requested features**

- Ability to modulate morph slider
- Option to modulate effects parameters individually
- Arpeggiator with retrigger on key press
- Better integration with GarageBand and other DAWs


### SynthShred

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthshred/id1475834403)

This app is a virtual musical instrument offering a vast library of sound presets, including pianos, guitars, and synths. It provides customizable guitar tunings and a selection of musical scales with root key adjustments for easier playing. Enjoy expressive sound shaping with built-in effects and multiple playing modes.

**Highlights:** 139 sound presets, 29 guitar tuning presets, 14 musical scales, Diatonic surface option, Monophonic and Polyphonic Mode, Reverb and Echo effects

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Upgrade to SynthShred Pro | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Incredible app for musical exploration
- 🎶 Great tool for learning and making music
- 👍 Smooth and soft playing
- 🎵 Best music appreciation
- 💡 Underrated app with good sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 No in-app purchases
- 🔇 Sound muted in the app
- 💸 Shameful theft/knock-off
- 🚫 Logic for iPad issue (AUv3 not working)
- 📉 Limited usefulness without AUv3/IAA

**Reported bugs**

- Sound is muted only in this app
- Doesn't show up as available audio unit in Logic/GarageBand
- Notes not sliding on the pad, sound individual notes
- Issue with sustain option: some instrument notes never stop
- Pop up to go pro comes up every minute

**Requested features**

- Add MIDI support
- Add AUv3 support
- Add IAA support
- Add sliding option
- Add velocity touch sensitivity


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Factory free?

Factory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SynthShred free?

SynthShred is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Factory or SynthShred?

Factory is rated higher. Factory averages 4.9 out of 5 from 488 ratings, while SynthShred averages 4.4 from 205 ratings.

### Do Factory or SynthShred have ads?

Neither Factory nor SynthShred shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Factory or SynthShred?

Factory ships an update every 4 months, and SynthShred every 4 days. Most recently, Factory was updated on October 17, 2026 and SynthShred on October 16, 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.*