# SynthMaster 2 vs SAGA Synth | 16

The clearest difference is price: SAGA Synth | 16 at $3.99 against SynthMaster 2's $14.99. SAGA Synth | 16 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 32) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99 and SAGA Synth | 16 $3.99 up front. SynthMaster 2 sells 32 one-off in-app purchases. SAGA Synth | 16 asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for SynthMaster 2 against 4.9 for SAGA Synth | 16. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 451 and 435 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of SynthMaster 2's written reviews are positive against 89% of SAGA Synth | 16's.

SynthMaster 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SynthMaster 2 | SAGA Synth | 16 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | [4.8 (451 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-2/id1566704584/reviews) | **[4.9 (435 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-synth-16-bit-sonic-fun/id1658167569/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **451** | 435 |
| Positive reviews | 68.5% of reviews | **89.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#185** |
| Size | 918 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15 | **14.4** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KV331 Audio](https://appshunter.io/developer/944155925) | [AudioKit Pro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1307785645) |

## What reviewers say

### SynthMaster 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-2/id1566704584)

This powerful software synthesizer offers a vast array of sound design capabilities, including multiple oscillator modes, extensive modulation options, and a wide selection of filters. Explore over 1000 factory presets or create your own unique sounds. Available as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin.

**Highlights:** Multiple oscillator modes (Basic, Additive, Wavetable, Vector), Extensive modulation architecture, 6 filter categories, Import custom wave files, 1000+ factory presets, Standalone app and AUv3 plugin

**In-app purchases (32)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BigTone Tableworks Vol.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Burak Yeter Synth Sounds Vol1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Aiyn Zahev Expansion 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Tableworks Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Michael Kastrup Expansion | $1.99 | one-time |
| EDM Stars Volume 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.4 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Alonso Sound Future Rave | $1.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Techno Bits Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Club Sequences Vol.1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Art Rock Basics | $2.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Analog Basics 02 | $4.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Analog Basics | $4.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Signature Sounds Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| NU Sounds of the World | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Japan Vintage | $4.99 | one-time |
| NatLife Future Bass Sounds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Danyella EDM Expansion Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Natlife Disco Funk | $4.99 | one-time |
| Insigne Essentials 4 Clubbin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Desktop Presets Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| All Expansions Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best synth on iPad
- 👍 Delicious sound
- 👍 Tremendously powerful synth
- 👍 Great synth with complex possibilities and great sound(s)
- 👍 Perfeito

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Auswahl der Modulationsquellen funktioniert nicht richtig
- 🐛 Echt schlecht
- 🐛 Broken Preset System for a powerful synth
- 🐛 Please fix the OSC behavior on Square and Saw
- 🐛 Preset issues

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly
- Modulation not working after loading project
- Skin resets to default
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Pitch bend/glide for imported samples
- Integration with AUM audio mixer


### SAGA Synth | 16

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-synth-16-bit-sonic-fun/id1658167569)

**Currently charting:** #185 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Awesome retro sounds
- 👍 Great creation methods
- 🎨 Versatile and fun
- 🎨 More than just game sounds
- 👍 Tons of presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Midi not working properly
- 🐛 Sequencer issues with recording
- 🐛 Keyboard issues and bugs
- 🐛 Crashes and stability problems
- 🤔 Not true 16-bit emulation

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when too many favorites
- Overlapping UI elements on phones

**Requested features**

- Export to Famitone music file
- macOS version
- Improved quantization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SynthMaster 2 free?

SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is SAGA Synth | 16 free?

SAGA Synth | 16 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SynthMaster 2 or SAGA Synth | 16?

SAGA Synth | 16 is rated higher. SynthMaster 2 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 451 ratings, while SAGA Synth | 16 averages 4.9 from 435 ratings.

### Do SynthMaster 2 or SAGA Synth | 16 have ads?

SynthMaster 2 shows ads; SAGA Synth | 16 does not.

### Which is updated more often, SynthMaster 2 or SAGA Synth | 16?

SynthMaster 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, and SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. Most recently, SynthMaster 2 was updated on October 14, 2026 and SAGA Synth | 16 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.*