Comparison

SynthStation vs Sonic Tracks

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

Head to head
About

SynthStation

Transform your mobile device into a portable music studio. Create melodies, bass lines, and drum beats with virtual synthesizers, drum kits, and a built-in sequencer. Offers real-time recording and extensive effects for unlimited sonic creativity.

Highlights
  • Three virtual-analog synthesizers
  • Over 50 drum kits
  • Built-in sequencer
  • Arpeggiator with preset patterns
  • Core MIDI-compatible
  • Real-time recording
  • Effects and filters
Features
Read full description

Low $1.99 price extended! Compatibility: Requires iOS 4.3 to iOS 6.1.3 Features • Three virtual-analog synthesizers, each with three oscillators • More than 50 drum kits, plus a built-in sequencer • Create melodic and accompaniment parts using arpeggiator with preset patterns • Core MIDI-compatible: works with any Core MIDI device as a synth module on your iOS device • Real-time recording • Unlimited creativity with effects and filters • Compatible with iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch • Requires iOS 4.3 or later Transform your iPhone into a music production studio. SynthStation transforms your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a portable music production studio for mobile music creation. SynthStation gives you three powerful synthesizers for creating and modifying sonic textures used for melodies, chords, and bass lines. Built around Akai Professional’s history in synthesis and drawing on the newest MINIAK synth, SynthStation sounds great and offers wide-ranging sonic flexibility with its virtual analog synthesis. From the moment you start SynthStation, you'll know your way around. It is jam-packed with tools to help you create music with the convenience of your touch screen and each section works the way you work. With SynthStation, you can create and save sequences and complete songs. The app contains three different three-oscillator synths and a range of drum kits you can sequence and mix right in the SynthStation. For creating melodic and accompaniment parts, the SynthStation contains an arpeggiator with preset patterns, built-in effects and filters, and an XY touch control interface for expressive control of key parameters. PERFORM Play with keys, XY and arpeggiator controls. This is perfect place to make magic happen because it gives you access to all the common controls you’ll need in a performance or creation setting. SYNTH Complete synthesis controls from oscillators to LFOs, envelopes, and more. You can control a wide range of filters to dial in exactly the sound you need. Choose from Sine, Triangle, Square or Sawtooth on your VCO and start creating your own signature sounds from scratch. Filter Cutoff and Resonance are just two taps away. DRUMS In addition to SynthStation's three synthesizers, we've included drum kits and a visual representation of the most iconic beat making tool in the world - MPC pads. Just pick your kit and start tapping beats anywhere, anytime. Includes: Drum Kit – select the drum kit and play it with onscreen pads. Drum Edit – tune, mix, and customize your drums. SEQUENCER Keyboard grid – see your keyboard sequencing and edit notes easily. Drum grid – build and modify drum tracks with a visible sequencer grid. SONG/SEQUENCE Select and save your Song/Sequence projects. You can recall your Songs and work on them later, and even export them for further editing in your desktop audio applications. CONTROL XY – two axes of control for hands-on, real-time control. Just like a joystick, the XY controller can snap back to the zero point. Tempo – control tempo and even tap in the tempo you want. MIXER The Mixer in SynthStation includes touch-controlled faders for each of the three synthesizers and the drum section as well as FX send for each. Mixer – mix all the levels of the parts and effects. Just like a hardware mixer, there are faders, mutes, and effect routing. Effects – select and control FX type and parameters. SynthStation Studio enables you to create and produce music anywhere on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

About

Sonic Tracks

This app enables synchronized multitrack audio playback for musicians and live performers. It allows for precise routing of multichannel outputs and organized show playback, ensuring consistent audio performance during rehearsals and live shows.

Highlights
  • Synchronized multitrack playback
  • Multichannel output routing
  • Show playback organization
  • Live performance audio control
  • Sequencing and transition control
Read full description

Sonic Tracks Player is a synchronized multitrack playback app designed for musicians and live performers using Sonic Tracks cloud media libraries. Load user-managed song stems, route multichannel outputs with precision, organize show playback, and maintain consistent synchronized performance audio across rehearsals and live shows. With built-in routing, sequencing, and transition control, Sonic Tracks Player gives performers reliable command over live multitrack playback. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.sonictracks.app/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.sonictracks.app/privacy

Screenshots

SynthStation4 screens
Sonic Tracks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sonic Tracks at 100% against SynthStation's 31%. Sonic Tracks also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (5.0 vs 2.3). SynthStation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (178 vs 2). On update cadence, ads and device support 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

Sonic Tracks is free to download; SynthStation costs $1.99 up front. Sonic Tracks sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. SynthStation asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sonic Tracks holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SynthStation has 178 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of SynthStation's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sonic Tracks's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthStation ships an update every 3 months, Sonic Tracks every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SynthStation versus Sonic Tracks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthStationSonic Tracks
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating2.3 (178 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings178 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS4.3 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAkai ProfessionalAgent K Media, LLC

Customer experience

SynthStation

All ratings178 ratings
Positive28.1%
Neutral7.9%
Negative64.0%
Written reviews305 reviews
Positive30.8%
Neutral12.1%
Negative57.0%

Sonic Tracks

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

SynthStation

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • No sound output
  • Midi connectivity problems
  • Incompatible with latest iOS versions
  • Saved projects not loading properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Audiobus/Inter-App Audio support
  • More synth/drum samples
  • Ability to save custom sounds
  • Improved sequencing capabilities
  • Easier audio export options

Sonic Tracks

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SynthStation

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Sonic Tracks

Subscriptions2
  • Additional Playback Device$5.991 Month
  • Additional Playback Device$59.991 Year

Questions

Is SynthStation free?
SynthStation costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sonic Tracks free?
Sonic Tracks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SynthStation or Sonic Tracks?
Sonic Tracks is rated higher. SynthStation averages 2.3 out of 5 from 178 ratings, while Sonic Tracks averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do SynthStation or Sonic Tracks have ads?
Neither SynthStation nor Sonic Tracks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SynthStation or Sonic Tracks?
SynthStation ships an update every 3 months, and Sonic Tracks every 2 months. Most recently, SynthStation was updated on October 21, 2026 and Sonic Tracks on October 6, 2026.

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