# Synth vs BeatMaker 3

The clearest difference is price: Synth at $0.99 against BeatMaker 3's $24.99. Synth also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 63%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.0). BeatMaker 3's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Synth costs $0.99 and BeatMaker 3 $24.99 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and BeatMaker 3 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BeatMaker 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BeatMaker 3 has 4.5K ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Synth's written reviews are positive against 63% of BeatMaker 3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Synth ships an update every 6 months, BeatMaker 3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synth | BeatMaker 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $24.99 |
| Rating | [3.1 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth/id364905862/reviews) | **[4.7 (4.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beatmaker-3/id1060317024/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **4.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **71.6% of reviews** | 62.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 216 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Retronyms Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/307726643) | [INTUA](https://appshunter.io/developer/285413818) |

## What reviewers say

### Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth/id364905862)

This app is a polyphonic synthesizer for iPad, allowing users to create unique sounds. It offers professional control and sound design capabilities, and can be integrated with other music production tools.

**Highlights:** Polyphonic synthesis, Microphone sound creation, Parameter editor (in-app purchase), Tabletop integration, Mod wheel, Pitch-bend wheel, Adjustable delay and distortion

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Editor | $0.99 | one-time |
| Synth Skin Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great synth with lots of settings and options
- 🎨 Awesome retro/vintage sounds
- 💡 Useful for creating sound effects
- 🎹 Simple and easy to use keyboard

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No MIDI support
- 🔌 Not compatible with other apps like Tabletop
- 🔒 Lacks advanced features like ADSR, filters, LFO
- 🔇 No recording or export functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Pitch bend control reverts back to default
- Occasional crashes or freezes

**Requested features**

- Add MIDI support
- Integrate with Tabletop and other music apps
- Implement ADSR, filters, LFO, and other synthesis controls
- Add recording and export capabilities


### BeatMaker 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beatmaker-3/id1060317024)

This music production studio offers an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation, combining desktop software power with hardware efficiency. Create, perform, and record your musical ideas with advanced sampling, sequencing, and mixing tools. Integrate external apps and export your finished tracks.

**Highlights:** Streamlined performance and recording workflow, Advanced sampling engine with live stretching, Classic timeline and flexible scene-based sequencing, Full-fledged mixer with multi-channel routing, AUv3 and IAA app integration, Inspirational sound library and export options

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter Pack #1: July 2017 | Free | one-time |
| Starter Pack #2: August 2017 | Free | one-time |
| ThudRumble Gigantic Balls Bass | Free | one-time |
| Modularism | $0.99 | one-time |
| Aquatronika | $0.99 | one-time |
| Beatlab | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ashes II | $0.99 | one-time |
| Arpism | $0.99 | one-time |
| INTUA 808 Science | $1.99 | one-time |
| MSXII The Constituent | $1.99 | one-time |
| MSXII The Fly Life | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful sampler
- 🚀 Versatile DAW capabilities
- 👍 Great for live performance
- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Seamless AUv3 integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 Stability issues with plugins
- 🐛 Buggy MIDI functionality
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Confusing file management

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when switching sound banks
- MIDI keyboard disconnects on stop
- Samples losing sync after export
- Glitches with AUv3 plugin loading
- Inconsistent behavior with touch controls

**Requested features**

- Ability to rearrange pads
- Improved MIDI sync and control
- More sound packs and updates
- Custom color themes
- Streamlined project management


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Synth free?

Synth costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is BeatMaker 3 free?

BeatMaker 3 costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Synth or BeatMaker 3?

BeatMaker 3 is rated higher. Synth averages 3.1 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while BeatMaker 3 averages 4.7 from 4.5K ratings.

### Do Synth or BeatMaker 3 have ads?

Neither Synth nor BeatMaker 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Synth or BeatMaker 3?

Synth ships an update every 6 months, and BeatMaker 3 monthly. Most recently, Synth was updated on October 4, 2026 and BeatMaker 3 on October 6, 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.*