FingerBeat vs Synthecaster
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FingerBeat
Transform any sound into music with this pocket sampler and drum machine. Record audio, slice it into playable hits, and create beats using a step sequencer or keyboard. Mix live, overdub vocals, and share your creations instantly.
- Record and sample any sound
- Auto-slicing for playable kits
- Step sequencer and keyboard
- Live mixer with effects
- Tape recorder and audio editor
- Share projects and mixes
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Turn any sound into a beat. FingerBeat is a pocket sampler, drum machine and tape recorder built for making music on the go, with your fingers and no music theory whatsoever. Record anything with the microphone, drop it on a pad and start playing. Capture a whole instrument phrase and FingerBeat slices it into separate hits automatically, so one recording becomes a playable kit. Draw patterns in the step sequencer, tweak the mix live, sing over the top, and share the result in seconds. FingerBeat is completely free. No ads, no subscriptions, no locked features. MAKE BEATS FROM ANYTHING ● 8 low-latency stereo pads, each with its own channel ● Sample straight from the microphone, the built-in sound library, or any audio file ● Auto-slicing turns one recording into a set of playable hits ● Import music from your library (DRM-free tracks) or from the Files app ● Paste audio from other apps with AudioCopy 3 SEQUENCE WITHOUT THE THEORY ● Step sequencer: tap and draw boxes to build patterns, one color per channel ● 24 pattern blocks with up to 256 steps each ● Keyboard and note editor: what you play appears instantly and can be redrawn with a finger ● Shake to undo, or shake to randomize your sounds for happy accidents TAPE RECORDER AND AUDIO EDITOR ● Record whole sessions, jams, ideas and meetings for later ● Use the reels to set precise in and out points and pull loops ● Scratch over your beats with the tape while the sequencer plays, and overdub the performance ● Cut, paste and drag clips straight into pads PERFORM AND MIX LIVE ● Multi-touch mixer with live effects, designed for hands-on performance ● Live input monitoring so you can sing or rap over your beat in real time ● Audiobus support and Korg WIST wireless sync-start with other music apps ● Everything is saved automatically, so you pick up exactly where you left off SHARE ● Export mixes, loops and samples by AirDrop, Messages, Mail, Files or any app on your device ● Send whole beat projects to friends who use FingerBeat ● Also available through Finder and iTunes file sharing GOOD TO KNOW For the tightest timing, use wired headphones or a wired speaker. Bluetooth playback works but adds delay, which you will feel when playing the pads. FingerBeat is the new retro. No talent required. Just beat it! Privacy policy: https://fingerbeat.com/privacy-policy Questions or feedback: info@oktoid.org
Synthecaster
This app offers a unique polyphonic instrument that blends guitar and keyboard elements, allowing for diverse playing styles and sound generation. It features intuitive controls, motion modulation for expressive performance, and a powerful synth engine with extensive customization options.
- Polyphonic synth engine
- String-like key rows
- Motion Modulation for expressiveness
- MIDI controller functionality
- Built-in effects (flanger, chorus, delay)
- Customizable synth presets
- Inter-App Audio and Audiobus support
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Synthecaster fuses elements from guitars and keyboards into a full range polyphonic instrument that is intuitive, accommodates a wide variety of playing styles, and generates an even wider variety of sounds. The instrument allows for technical playing styles such as shredding and complex chord formation and can be used as a MIDI controller. Now with Motion Modulation, Synthecaster is more expressive than ever. - Keys are arranged in string-like rows (tuned in perfect fourths by default) - Sliding across keys in a row results in legato sliding or portamento gliding from note to note - Sliding a key up or down will bend its pitch in the same direction - Several notes can be played on the same row simultaneously - Simultaneously play up to 10 notes on iPad Pro, 7 notes on iPad, or 5 notes on iPhone - The entire keyboard spans over 6 octaves (not including the range added by oscillator tuning) - Tune each row individually - Highlight or show only the notes from any scale How Motion Modulation works: - Any slider-based synth parameter with blue or green text can be tapped to view its motion settings - The parameter can be modulated by the device's roll (tilting vertically clockwise or counterclockwise) or pitch (tilting upward or downward) - The position of the parameter's slider is the base setting for the parameter - Tilting the device modulates the value either from its base setting to its minimum or maximum setting depending on the tilt, the modulation amount, and the modulation direction. Synthecaster's audio is generated by a powerful and highly configurable polyphonic synth engine: - Dual oscillators with individual tuning - Filter with envelope sweeping - Amplifier ADSR envelope - Soft clip, hard clip, bitcrush, and downsampling distortion - LFO assignable to amplitude, filter cutoff, or oscillator tuning - Stereo flanger, chorus, and delay effects - Over 55 preloaded synth presets including 7 motion presets - Create custom presets and share them using AirDrop or Mail - High quality stereo audio output - Inter-App Audio support - Audiobus compatibility with state saving Synthecaster is Core MIDI compatible as a MIDI controller. In Multi Channel mode, MIDI messages are output in OMNI mode, where each MIDI channel represents a synth voice (channels 1-7 on the iPad, 1-5 on the iPhone). To best replicate Synthecaster’s polyphonic expressiveness, try setting a separate instrument voice for each channel. The following MIDI messages are supported: - Note on/off events, by touching and releasing keys - Pitch wheel change, by sliding a key up or down - Polyphonic legato ties by sliding across keys. Compatible with a variety of apps including Animoog and ThumbJam. - Legato pedal on/off for legato ties, by sliding across keys For best results, play through speakers or headphones. Note: Not recommended for iPhone 4 due to performance issues.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: FingerBeat at Free against Synthecaster's $0.99. FingerBeat also leads on ratings volume (66 vs 14). Synthecaster's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and device support 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
FingerBeat is free to download; Synthecaster costs $0.99 up front. FingerBeat sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Synthecaster asks for nothing beyond the download.
Synthecaster holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 66 and 14 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 90% and 90% positive.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FingerBeat | Synthecaster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (66 ratings) | 4.9 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 66 — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 137 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oktoid | Daniel Resnick |
Customer experience
FingerBeat
Synthecaster
In-app purchases
FingerBeat
- Pay monthly, cancel anytime$0.491 Month
- Pay once, enjoy forever$13.99
Synthecaster
No in-app purchases









