# Synth vs LE05

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synth | LE05 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.1 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth/id364905862/reviews) | **[4.1 (139 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/le05-digitalism-2000-plus-auv3/id1547016343/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **139** |
| Positive reviews | **71.6% of reviews** | 54.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 209 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Retronyms Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/307726643) | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) |

## 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


### LE05

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/le05-digitalism-2000-plus-auv3/id1547016343)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Undo/redo button
- Release for computer (Logic Pro)
- Add Audiobus connection
- More 80s, Synthwave, Funky, Italo disco sounds
- Add a record button


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*