# Synth vs SAGA Synth | 16

The clearest difference is rating: SAGA Synth | 16 at 4.9 against Synth's 3.1. SAGA Synth | 16 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). Synth's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $3.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 14.4). On ads there is nothing between them.

Synth costs $0.99 and SAGA Synth | 16 $3.99 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. SAGA Synth | 16 asks for nothing beyond the download.

SAGA Synth | 16 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAGA Synth | 16 has 435 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Synth's written reviews are positive against 89% of SAGA Synth | 16's.

Synth ships an update every 6 months, SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synth | SAGA Synth | 16 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [3.1 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth/id364905862/reviews) | **[4.9 (435 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-synth-16-bit-sonic-fun/id1658167569/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **435** |
| Positive reviews | 71.6% of reviews | **89.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#153** |
| Size | 21 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 14.4 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Retronyms Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/307726643) | [AudioKit Pro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1307785645) |

## 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


### SAGA Synth | 16

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-synth-16-bit-sonic-fun/id1658167569)

**Currently charting:** #153 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app provides a 16-bit retro video game synthesizer with over 350 presets. It allows for the creation of expressive pads, sound effects, drums, and leads, and can be used as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin. Record and export your creations as WAV files.

**Highlights:** 16-bit retro video game synth, Over 350+ presets, Standalone app & AUv3 plugin, Step sequencer, Audio recording and export, MIDI keyboard support, Ableton Link

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Awesome retro sounds
- 👍 Great creation methods
- 🎨 Versatile and fun
- 🎨 More than just game sounds
- 👍 Tons of presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Midi not working properly
- 🐛 Sequencer issues with recording
- 🐛 Keyboard issues and bugs
- 🐛 Crashes and stability problems
- 🤔 Not true 16-bit emulation

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when too many favorites
- Overlapping UI elements on phones

**Requested features**

- Export to Famitone music file
- macOS version
- Improved quantization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Synth free?

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

### Is SAGA Synth | 16 free?

SAGA Synth | 16 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Synth or SAGA Synth | 16?

SAGA Synth | 16 is rated higher. Synth averages 3.1 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while SAGA Synth | 16 averages 4.9 from 435 ratings.

### Do Synth or SAGA Synth | 16 have ads?

Neither Synth nor SAGA Synth | 16 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Synth or SAGA Synth | 16?

Synth ships an update every 6 months, and SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. Most recently, Synth was updated on October 14, 2026 and SAGA Synth | 16 on October 11, 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.*