Comparison

Fractal Bits vs SAGA Synth | 16

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

Head to head
About

Fractal Bits

Generate an infinite variety of drum sounds using fractal algorithms. Save and share your unique sound sets via text codes. Perform live with multiple keyboard options and record your creations in real-time.

Highlights
  • Infinite unique drum sounds
  • Save/share sound sets via text codes
  • Multiple live drumming keyboards
  • MIDI control and mapping
  • Real-time WAV audio recording
  • Wi-Fi export/import
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Fractal Bits is a drum synth with over four billion unique sounds created by fractal algorithms. Each set of 12 drums corresponds to a code of 8 characters (you can save/copy/paste it as plain text). Features: * Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), Audiobus; * search for new sounds with three buttons: next random set, edit code, previous set; * three types of keyboards for live drumming: on-screen buttons, PC keyboard, MIDI input; * several processing parameters + control via MIDI; * real-time audio recording to WAV (32-bit); * export to: WAV (one file or a set), SunVox (samples + effects in one file), text clipboard; * the LCK button freezes individual drums - they will not change during the search for new sets; * Wi-Fi export/import. Double clicking on a parameter opens a window for setting the exact value. If you enable the Hold option, the notes will play endlessly, without reacting to key release (noteOff) events; turning the note on again works like turning it off; there are two ways to enable this option: 1) using the Hold parameter in the "MIDI Mapping" window; 2) by pressing the HOLD button, which appears in place of LCK while playing the musical keyboard: press HOLD, release the desired notes - then the released notes will continue to play.

About

SAGA Synth | 16

This app provides a 16-bit retro video game synthesizer with over 350 presets. It allows for the creation of expressive pads, sound effects, drums, and leads, and can be used as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin. Record and export your creations as WAV files.

Highlights
  • 16-bit retro video game synth
  • Over 350+ presets
  • Standalone app & AUv3 plugin
  • Step sequencer
  • Audio recording and export
  • MIDI keyboard support
  • Ableton Link
Features
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"SAGA SYNTH IS THE MOST FUN MUSIC APP ON THE PLANET!" – The GarageBand Guide SAGA Synth is a super-fun retro 16-bit video game synth More than chiptunes, you can use this synth for amazing and expressive pads, sound fx, drums, leads, and more! Make your music stand out with real 16-bit retro video game power. Created from 5 different vintage hardware YM2616 sound chips for the greatest collection of 16-bit sounds ever produced. We put lots of love into making this app. Ready Player One? Press a Key to take your music to the next level! REQUIRES iOS 14 and ABOVE! Thank you. :) Includes over 350+ Presets by MobyPixel, Electronisounds, Red Sky Lullaby, Gavinski, The GarageBand Guide, DJ Puzzle, The Audio Dabbler, Sound of Izrael, Marc Hupkens, AnalogMatthew, Brian Funk, Shazaam the Producer and more. Features custom-created sounds for this app, made from vintage retro gaming hardware. Learn More & Watch Videos: audiokitpro.com/sagasynth SAGA SYNTH is available only on iOS and iPadOS. FEATURES: • Standalone app & iOS AUv3 Plugin • Over 350+ presets to inspire you • Fun free-running step sequencer • Exclusive sound sources made for this app • New, more stable AudioKit code • 16-bit Synth, Drum, and Sound FX sounds included • Over 600+ Mb of sounds compressed to under 150 Mb • Audio recording, record your sounds then export wav files! No other apps needed • Use as an iOS Plug-in in hosts like GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Beatmaker 3, and more • Use with MIDI keyboard or iOS MIDI host • Ableton Link SAGA Synth is the first of the next generation of AudioKit Pro apps, written from the ground up with a focus on playability and amazing sound. We've added rock-solid sequencer timing, improved AUv3 support, easy standalone recording, and much more. It's created with lots of love. + iPhone & iPad versions included for one low price ++ BONUS: Includes sounds from the best-selling Ableton 16-Bit Video Game sound packs by Brian Funk. For the first time on iOS! More Info: www.audiokitpro.com/sagasynth ### 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 owners, including SEGA Corporation, Yamaha Corporation, Twisted Electrons, MEGAfm, Genesis, MegaDrive, and others, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, Brian Funk, 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, including SEGA Corporation, Yamaha Corporation, Twisted Electrons, MEGAfm, Genesis, MegaDrive, and others. We thank them for their incredible hardware and instruments.

Screenshots

Fractal Bits2 screens
SAGA Synth | 164 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SAGA Synth | 16 at monthly against Fractal Bits's every 5 months. SAGA Synth | 16 also leads on ratings volume (443 vs 82). Fractal Bits's advantage is chart position (#147 vs unranked) and price ($1.99 vs $3.99). 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

Fractal Bits costs $1.99 and SAGA Synth | 16 $3.99 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 — 4.9 for Fractal Bits against 4.9 for SAGA Synth | 16. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAGA Synth | 16 has 443 ratings behind it against 82, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Fractal Bits's written reviews are positive against 89% of SAGA Synth | 16's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fractal Bits ships an update every 5 months, SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Fractal Bits versus SAGA Synth | 16: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFractal BitsSAGA Synth | 16
Price$1.99 — better$3.99
Rating4.9 (82 ratings)4.9 (443 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews — better89.0% of reviews
Number of ratings82443 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#147 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.4
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB121 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ZolotovAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

Fractal Bits

All ratings80 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral7.0%
Negative2.3%

SAGA Synth | 16

All ratings435 ratings
Positive98.9%
Neutral0.9%
Negative0.2%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive89.0%
Neutral1.4%
Negative9.6%

Bugs and requests

Fractal Bits

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SAGA Synth | 16

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes when too many favorites
  • Overlapping UI elements on phones

Requested features

3 requests
  • Export to Famitone music file
  • macOS version
  • Improved quantization

In-app purchases

None

Fractal Bits

No in-app purchases

None

SAGA Synth | 16

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fractal Bits free?
Fractal Bits costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAGA Synth | 16 free?
SAGA Synth | 16 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fractal Bits or SAGA Synth | 16?
SAGA Synth | 16 is rated higher. Fractal Bits averages 4.9 out of 5 from 82 ratings, while SAGA Synth | 16 averages 4.9 from 443 ratings.
Do Fractal Bits or SAGA Synth | 16 have ads?
Neither Fractal Bits nor SAGA Synth | 16 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fractal Bits or SAGA Synth | 16?
Fractal Bits ships an update every 5 months, and SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. Most recently, Fractal Bits was updated on October 24, 2026 and SAGA Synth | 16 on October 24, 2026.

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