Comparison

Synth vs LE05

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Synth

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
Read full description

Synth is an incredible polyphonic synthesizer for your iPad. Create your own sounds with the microphone, and relive all of your Casio SK1 dreams. Synth was used by Gorillaz in recording their album, “The Fall.” Synth’s parameter editor provides professional control and sound design via an in-app purchase. Connect Synth to drum machines, sequencers, and more in Tabletop for iPad. Tabletop is an expandable studio with over a dozen included musical devices. Tabletop is a modular environment where you can mix and match different devices. Select from over 40 devices including samplers, mixers, effects, sequencers and more. Buy only the gear you need from an expanding catalog. Need help? Email support@retronyms.com and we’ll answer your questions. Main Features: - Mod wheel - Pitch-bend wheel - Adjustable delay - Adjustable distortion

About

LE05

Explore a vast collection of vintage synth sounds inspired by early 2000s digital music. This app offers over 1,000 samples and 60+ PCM sound sources, with over 100 presets for immediate inspiration. It functions as a standalone instrument or an AUv3 plugin for popular DAWs.

Highlights
  • Vintage digital synth sounds
  • Over 1,000 individual samples
  • 60+ multi-sampled PCM sound sources
  • Over 100 inspiring presets
  • Standalone and AUv3 modes
  • AUv3 automation
Features
Read full description

"Sounds Really Awesome!" - The Sound Test Room DIGITALISM 2000 is a new vintage synth module featuring exclusive sounds recorded from Digital Synths from the early 2000s. Retro and modern. These sounds were custom created for this app by the sound designers behind hit-making producers. Over 1,000+ individual samples were recorded from hardware synths and processed to perfection to make this expressive instrument for you! - Digital Synth Sounds: Pads, EPs, Synth, Bass, and more - Over 1,000+ individual samples custom recorded for this app - Over 60+ exclusive multi-sampled PCM sound sources - Compressed to under 180mb to save space - Over 100+ inspiring and creative presets - Easy-to-use controls - OUR BIGGEST LIMITED EDITION APP YET! - Universal: iPad & iPhone included - Standalone and AUv3 Modes Lightweight & powerful. Tweak the presets to make them your own. Run multiple instances of this AUv3 plugin effortlessly. FEATURES: - New powerful AUv3 code. Works great as an AU plugin in GarageBand, Cubasis 3, BM3, NS2, AUM, Auria Pro, and more - AUv3 Automation If you liked the sounds of Digital D1 & FM Player, this app builds on that and takes you on a journey to the next decade, from the 80s & 90s to the 2000s! REQUIREMENTS: Requires iPhone 6s size or above! (Will not work on 1st gen SE models) Will the apps still be updated? The apps will be updated for new iOS versions, to ensure that your limited edition apps continue to work as iOS technology progresses. Subscribe to access to premium app features; subscription details are the following: - Length: weekly or yearly - Free trial: only on selected subscriptions - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/LE05-Digitalism-2000-AUv3-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a08802389aad0765382fe66?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/LE05-Digitalism-2000-AUv3-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a08802389aad0765382fe66?pvs=21) Privacy Policy: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/LE05-Digitalism-2000-AUv3-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a08806fabb3cbff1e1f5f3f?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/LE05-Digitalism-2000-AUv3-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a08806fabb3cbff1e1f5f3f?pvs=21) * NOTE: This app has no official affiliation with AudioKit Pro, LLC. It was built using the free AudioKit source code.

Screenshots

LE054 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LE05 at Free against Synth's $0.99. LE05 also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.1) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months). Synth's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (72% vs 54%). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

LE05 is free to download; Synth costs $0.99 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and LE05 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LE05 holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LE05 has 139 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 54% of LE05's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synth ships an update every 6 months, LE05 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Synth versus LE05: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthLE05
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.1 (20 ratings)4.1 (139 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.6% of reviews — better54.1% of reviews
Number of ratings20139 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB209 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRetronyms IncAudiobus Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Synth

All ratings20 ratings
Positive55.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative35.0%
Written reviews250 reviews
Positive71.6%
Neutral7.6%
Negative20.8%

LE05

All ratings139 ratings
Positive77.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative18.0%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive54.1%
Neutral13.5%
Negative32.4%

User reviews

Synth

From 20 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

LE05

From 139 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎶 Amazing sounds and presets
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 💡 Innovative sound design
  • 💰 Great value for price
  • ✨ High-quality audio output

Room to improve

  • 💸 Unacceptable subscription model
  • ❌ No longer recognized in GarageBand
  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 💾 State-saving issues
  • 🚫 Audio not saving

Bugs and requests

Synth

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Pitch bend control reverts back to default
  • Occasional crashes or freezes

Requested features

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

LE05

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • GarageBand crashes when opening songs with the Audio Unit
  • Digitalism not recognized in GarageBand
  • No sound when playing MIDI tracks in GarageBand
  • State-saving doesn't hold Audio Unit patch settings and parameters
  • App crashes at the point of entering the song editor
Show 8 more
  • App no longer opens in projects (GarageBand, Logic, Cubasis)
  • No audio when reopening projects
  • Preset selection causes crashes in Cubasis
  • Background audio feature does not work
  • Scrolling through sound bank menus is jumpy or doesn't work
  • Audio bugs need fixing
  • Crashes at times, not very reliable
  • Latency with Bluetooth headphones

Requested features

8 requests
  • Undo/redo button
  • Release for computer (Logic Pro)
  • Add Audiobus connection
  • More 80s, Synthwave, Funky, Italo disco sounds
  • Add a record button
Show 3 more
  • Fix UI layout on iPhone SE 2020
  • Add sustain pedal support
  • Add instruction manual

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Synth

One-time2
  • Patch Editor$0.99
  • Synth Skin Pack$4.99
4 purchases

LE05

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly premium$2.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Synth free?
Synth costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is LE05 free?
LE05 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Synth or LE05?
LE05 is rated higher. Synth averages 3.1 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while LE05 averages 4.1 from 139 ratings.
Do Synth or LE05 have ads?
LE05 shows ads; Synth does not.
Which is updated more often, Synth or LE05?
Synth ships an update every 6 months, and LE05 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Synth was updated on October 14, 2026 and LE05 on October 12, 2026.

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