Comparison

SynthStation vs KG

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

KG

Features
Read full description

[From '80s Legend to Modern Era: Put the Feel of Authentic Hardware in Your Hands] "KG-SQUARE" is an analog modeling synthesizer app that packs the aesthetics and intuitive operation of professional hardware into an iPhone-sized format. While inheriting the simplicity of its predecessor, "FX-SQUARE," this version delivers a massive upgrade to both its sound engine and UI. From thick, punchy synth basses to dreamlike, immersive pads, it features a wide range of high-quality tones ready to elevate modern music production. ◆ Key Features Highly Immersive Hardware-Style UI: Designed with lifelike 3D knobs and LED indicators, giving you the professional feel and excitement of tweaking real gear. KAOSS PHYSICS (XY Pad): Simply glide your finger across the right-side pad to dynamically control Cutoff, Resonance, and effects. Create sweeping, space-like tonal shifts in real time as you play. Two Powerful Effects: Equipped with "REVERB" for deep spatial warmth and "DELAY" to add movement to your echoes. Seamlessly blend them using dedicated knobs. Polished Sound Presets: Carefully selected, massive sounds unique to analog modeling, including MP Bass, MP Lead, MP PolySynth, and more. Smooth Playability: Features responsive mini-keys along with screen-edge protection to prevent accidental touches, keeping you focused entirely on your performance. Perfect as a companion synth for music production, on-the-go sound design, or intuitive finger-play performances. Experience the ultimate analog modeling sound today!

Screenshots

SynthStation4 screens
KG1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: KG at Free against SynthStation's $1.99. KG also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). SynthStation's advantage is iOS requirement (4.3 vs 26.5). On ads, in-app purchases 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

KG is free to download; SynthStation costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthStation ships an update every 3 months, KG every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SynthStation versus KG: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthStationKG
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating2.3 (178 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews30.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings178 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS4.3 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAkai ProfessionalKouki Yoshimoto

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

KG

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SynthStation

No in-app purchases

None

KG

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SynthStation free?
SynthStation costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KG free?
KG is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SynthStation or KG have ads?
Neither SynthStation nor KG shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SynthStation or KG?
SynthStation ships an update every 3 months, and KG every 3 weeks. Most recently, SynthStation was updated on November 10, 2026 and KG on November 7, 2026.

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