Pegboard vs Synthesizer Sim
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pegboard
This app offers an intuitive mobile wavetable synthesizer with a virtual analog filter. It features a harmonic table keyboard layout that highlights scales for easy improvisation and chord playing. The free version provides extensive sound design capabilities, while a pro upgrade unlocks MIDI controller functionality.
- Harmonic table keyboard layout
- Scale highlighting for improvisation
- Virtual analog filter
- 8-voice polyphony
- 7 effect modules
- 16-row modulation matrix
- MIDI over USB (Pro)
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Pegboard is a mobile synth designed to make playing music more intuitive. The app is a full-featured mobile subtractive synthesizer with a virtual analog filter. Use it as a melody writing app, music scale finder, or just as a MIDI keyboard controller. How you use it is completely up to you. The keyboard is arranged in a harmonic table layout. Scales you choose are highlighted for easy improvisation. Each chord has a simple shape that is the same in every key. This layout greatly simplifies playing chords, borrowing chords, and modulating between keys. Music theory apps tend to impose constraints and can be uninspiring. Pegboard will give you an intuitive feel for harmony and allow you to come up with your own amazing riffs all through improvisation. Most of the app features are free. The synth is fully playable and programmable in the free version. Included in the free version: • Over 400 unique scales. • 70 factory presets. • 8-voice polyphony. • 4 oscillators. • 7 effect modules. • 16-row modulation matrix. • Unlimited use, no ads. Included in the pro version: • Unlimited saved presets. • MIDI over USB. The pro version is available as an in-app purchase. It will allow you to use the app as a MIDI controller. You can then connect the app to your DAW or another synthesizer.
Synthesizer Sim
This app transforms your device into a versatile music creation studio, offering a responsive synth keyboard and advanced sound design tools. Explore a wide range of sounds, record your performances, and share your music instantly. It supports MIDI input and includes rhythm tools for practice and live performance.
- Responsive synth keyboard
- Advanced sound design engine
- Built-in effects and modulation
- MIDI keyboard support
- Rhythm accompaniment and metronome
- Performance recording and sharing
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Turn your iPhone or iPad into an expressive synthesizer. Shape original sounds, play with touch or an external MIDI controller, and capture performances for later playback or WAV sharing. SYNTHESIZE YOUR SOUND • Three oscillators plus a sub oscillator • Six waveforms, unison, detune, mixer and stereo pan controls • Amp and filter envelopes with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch modes • Distortion, EQ, chorus, delay and reverb • Two LFOs for pitch, amplitude and filter modulation PLAY AND CONTROL • Responsive keyboard with velocity, sustain, pitch bend and transpose • Poly, mono and legato voice modes with glide • USB, Bluetooth and network MIDI input • MIDI note, velocity, pitch bend and common controller support PRESETS AND TUNING • 96 factory presets for pads, leads, basses and more • Save your own User presets • Western, world and makam scales • Adjustable root, A4 reference and per-note cent offsets • Save custom User tunings RECORD AND SHARE • Record synth performances without microphone access • Replay saved performances with their sound and tuning settings • Export and share recordings as WAV files FREE AND PREMIUM The free version includes 10 factory presets, up to three User presets and tunings, one saved performance, and optional rewarded access to additional sounds. It may display ads. Premium removes ads and unlocks all 96 factory presets, unlimited User presets and tunings, and unlimited saved performances. Choose a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Purchases are managed through your App Store account and can be restored in the app. Terms of Use: https://alyakastudio.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://alyakastudio.com/privacy-policy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Pegboard at none against Synthesizer Sim's shown. Pegboard also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Pegboard sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Synthesizer Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Pegboard holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 12 respectively.
Pegboard ships an update fortnightly, Synthesizer Sim every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pegboard | Synthesizer Sim |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (9 ratings) — better | 4.1 (12 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 12 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 52 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brandon Murray | Alper Kahriman |
Customer experience
Pegboard
Synthesizer Sim
In-app purchases
Pegboard
- Pegboard Pro$19.99
Synthesizer Sim
- Get Premium$9.99









