Comparison

ID700 vs TB Flowtones

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ID700

This app is a software synthesizer that recreates the voice architecture of the Buchla 700. It offers hybrid FM and waveshaping synthesis with extensive customization options for sound design. It functions as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin for music production software.

Highlights
  • Hybrid FM and waveshaping synthesis
  • AUv3 and Standalone support
  • Twelve voices with unique algorithms
  • Fourteen complex envelopes per voice
  • Two waveshapers per voice
  • MPE capability
  • Scala scale file support
Features
Read full description

ID700 is a hybrid FM/waveshaping software synthesizer based on the voice architecture of the Buchla 700. ID700 runs in standalone mode and as an AUv3 plugin (Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis 3). HISTORY In 1987 Don Buchla released the Buchla 700 synthesizer. It was the next logical step from Don's previous digital synths (the Buchla 400, Touché, Buchla 500) but was also influenced by the synth trends of the 1980's, specifically FM synthesis and the all-in-one workstation concept. As usual, Don was ahead of the curve and the 700 never took off. Very few were sold and even fewer functioning units exist today. I always loved the sound of Don's digital oscillators, and combined with the scarcity of the instrument it seemed like a fun project to recreate it in software and reintroduce its concepts to the world. FEATURES * AUv3 and Standalone support on iOS * twelve voices of four operator FM with twelve unique algorithms * fourteen complex envelopes per voice * two hundred professionally designed presets * two waveshapers per voice * preset randomizer * over forty factory wave shapes plus an editor for user created shapes * Scala scale file support with over four thousand included tunings from the Scala scale archive * MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) capability for MPE controllers like the Roli Seabord, Linnstrument, and Sensel Morph * advanced MIDI implementation (including 14-bit CCs and Program Change) * an in-depth manual (60+ pages) is available in the app and from our website * iCloud support for sharing presets, waveshapes, and tunings between devices * up to 16x oversampling

About

TB Flowtones

This virtual analog synthesizer app offers a true VA synthesis engine with analog-modeled filters and extensive modulation options. Create warm, analog-sounding music with a powerful architecture, diverse waveforms, and pro-grade effects. It also includes an integrated step sequencer and hundreds of presets.

Highlights
  • True virtual analog synthesis engine
  • Analog-modelled non-linear filters
  • Extensive modulation options
  • Pro-grade studio effects
  • Integrated step sequencer
  • Hundreds of presets and intelligent randomizer
Read full description

TB Flowtones Virtual Analog Synthesizer app and AUv3 plug-in Thanks to it's true VA synthesis engine, the use of analog-modelled non-linear filters and extensive modulation options, Flowtones sounds warmer and more analog than digital romplers and wavetable-based synths. TB Flowtones comes as stand-alone app as well as AUv3 plugin. True virtual analog synthesis features: - 4 VCO architecture (two voice layers with two VCOs each) - 4 synthesis engine types, in part modelled after famous analog synthesisers - 36 analog VCO waveforms featuring all classic waveforms and more - All VCO waveforms support pulse width modulation - Full stereo and mono unison modes for each VCO independently - Noise and subharmonic oscillators for each VCO - Unique ring and self-modulation matrix - High-quality, warm, non-linear filters (VCF) with over 30 filter types, including unique multi-resonance filters Modulation features: - Four LFOs with 30 waveforms each - LFOs can modulate other LFOs, including themselves! - Three additional envelope generators, with key velocity modulation - Quick access to modulation strengths through context menus - Hundreds of modulation signal paths available - LFOs can produce noise as waveform to randomly modulate other parameters; for example to simulate slight variations in analog filter parameters as they happen in analog circuits. Pro-grade effects - Studio-quality reverb, delay, and chorus effects - Unique formant filter to add vocal character - Analog and digital distortion / bit crushing effects - Master equaliser and peak limiter for final touch - Non-linear power supply simulation for authentic interaction between notes Step sequencer - Fully integrated, intuitive step sequencer - Can trigger chords and note series / phrases - Can run asynchronously or synchronously to the host - Smart copy/paste of note series to improve workflow - Smart zoom: edit fine details while keeping an overview over the full sequence Presets and intelligent randomizer - Flowtones comes with hundreds of presets to spark your creativity - Intelligent randomizer to explore endless sound synthesis possibilities What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

Screenshots

TB Flowtones4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ID700 at monthly against TB Flowtones's every 3 months. ID700 also leads on ratings volume (128 vs 39). TB Flowtones's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $12.99) and device support (3 vs 1). On rating, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

ID700 costs $12.99 and TB Flowtones $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for ID700 against 4.7 for TB Flowtones. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 128 and 39 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of ID700's written reviews are positive against 83% of TB Flowtones's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ID700 ships an update monthly, TB Flowtones every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 8, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ID700 versus TB Flowtones: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterID700TB Flowtones
Price$12.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.8 (128 ratings) — better4.7 (39 ratings)
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better82.9% of reviews
Number of ratings128 — better39
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonathan SchatzToneBoosters

Customer experience

ID700

All ratings128 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.1%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral5.0%
Negative7.5%

TB Flowtones

All ratings39 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral7.7%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive82.9%
Neutral11.4%
Negative5.7%

Bugs and requests

ID700

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • MIDI cannot select a channel, responds to all
  • App does not launch when plugged into an audio interface
  • Sliders not functioning properly (combined left/right and up/down movement)
  • Takes value from where slider is touched, preventing adjustment

Requested features

8 requests
  • Option for sliders to behave like faders
  • Expandable harmonics section for precision
  • On-screen mod wheel and pitch bend
  • Option for different color schemes/themes
  • Ability to make certain sections bigger for finer control
Show 3 more
  • Mod wheel within on-screen keyboard or option to enable vertical/horizontal axis
  • Four outputs with circular spatialization
  • Option to double-tap to zero controls

TB Flowtones

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ID700

No in-app purchases

None

TB Flowtones

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ID700 free?
ID700 costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TB Flowtones free?
TB Flowtones costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ID700 or TB Flowtones?
ID700 is rated higher. ID700 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while TB Flowtones averages 4.7 from 39 ratings.
Do ID700 or TB Flowtones have ads?
Neither ID700 nor TB Flowtones shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ID700 or TB Flowtones?
ID700 ships an update monthly, and TB Flowtones every 3 months. Most recently, ID700 was updated on October 8, 2026 and TB Flowtones on October 8, 2026.

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