# Sampletoy vs AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

The clearest difference is rating: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth at 4.8 against Sampletoy's 4.2. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 104). Sampletoy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Sampletoy asks for nothing beyond the download.

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth has 2.1K ratings behind it against 104, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of Sampletoy's written reviews are positive against 76% of AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Sampletoy ships an update every 7 months, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sampletoy | AudioKit Digital D1 Synth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (104 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletoy/id355918828/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 104 | **2.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **89.8% of reviews** | 76.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Size | 24 MB | 636 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mazbox Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/329604853) | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) |

## What reviewers say

### Sampletoy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletoy/id355918828)

Capture and manipulate sounds using a unique musical instrument and plaything. This app allows you to record audio, then loop, pitch, and distort it live with multitouch controls. Explore creative sound design with filters, delays, and envelopes, and export your performances as high-quality audio files.

**Highlights:** Capture sounds via microphone, Live playback, looping, pitching, and distortion, Multitouch control for up to 5 notes, Resonant filters, delays, and envelopes, Stepped and free playback modes, Record and email performances as WAV files, Import audio from various sources

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540)

This app is a virtual analog and PCM synthesizer for iPad, inspired by the digital synthesizers of the 80s and 90s. It offers a vast library of presets, advanced synthesis features, and built-in effects for creating rich, retro-inspired sounds.

**Highlights:** 64-voice hybrid digital poly synthesis, 1GB+ of original samples, Stand-alone, IAA, and AUv3 support, Vintage-style arp/step sequencer, 3 LFOs with fun routings, Dual independent per-layer filters, Built-in FX suite

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| D1 PCM Expansion-01 | Free | one-time |
| Platinum Expansion PCM EXP-01 | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Excellent sound quality
- 🎹 Versatile and inspiring presets
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 💰 Great value for the price
- 🔥 Cutting-edge digital synthesis

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔒 Lack of Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- 🤔 Some presets not easily usable
- 🕰️ Slow loading times in certain DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly
- MIDI note dropouts and latency
- Crashes when used with certain DAWs
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- Improve MIDI integration and responsiveness
- Implement a built-in recording/sampling feature
- Expand preset library with more genres and styles
- Add more sound design controls and modulation options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sampletoy free?

Sampletoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AudioKit Digital D1 Synth free?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Sampletoy or AudioKit Digital D1 Synth?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is rated higher. Sampletoy averages 4.2 out of 5 from 104 ratings, while AudioKit Digital D1 Synth averages 4.8 from 2.1K ratings.

### Do Sampletoy or AudioKit Digital D1 Synth have ads?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth shows ads; Sampletoy does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sampletoy or AudioKit Digital D1 Synth?

Sampletoy ships an update every 7 months, and AudioKit Digital D1 Synth every 3 weeks. Most recently, Sampletoy was updated on October 16, 2026 and AudioKit Digital D1 Synth on October 21, 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.*