# Crystal Synth XT vs S

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Crystal Synth XT at 78% against S's 31%. Crystal Synth XT also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.6) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). S's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $4.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Crystal Synth XT costs $4.99 and S $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Crystal Synth XT holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Crystal Synth XT's written reviews are positive against 31% of S's.

Crystal Synth XT ships an update every 4 months, S every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Crystal Synth XT | S |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370/reviews)** | [2.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-modular/id1291071549/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **22** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **78.4% of reviews** | 31.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 36 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Green Oak Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/355342717) | [Paul Betowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/538476580) |

## What reviewers say

### Crystal Synth XT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370)

Create lush, evolving soundscapes with a powerful semi-modular synthesizer for mobile devices. Explore subtractive and FM synthesis, extensive modulation, and built-in effects. Share sounds with the desktop version and connect MIDI keyboards for a full hardware synth experience.

**Highlights:** Semi-modular synthesis engine, Subtractive and FM synthesis, Extensive modulation control (>90 parameters), Multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, Tempo-synced envelopes, LFOs, and delays, Built-in effects (chorus, flanger, echo), MIDI keyboard input and virtual MIDI support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Fantastic sound quality
- 💡 Innovative breed function
- 🎛️ Deep sound design capabilities
- 🎹 Versatile synth
- ✨ Unique and creative sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes
- ⚠️ Preset system issues (folders, access)
- 🐌 Outdated interface
- 🔌 Lacks AUv3 support (frequently requested)
- 🔊 Crackling/popping sounds

**Reported bugs**

- App not working, splash screen disappears
- Screen in background
- Envelope points not moving
- Breed fan not working properly
- Crashing on launch

**Requested features**

- AUv3 support
- Update to an AU3 standard
- Newer interface
- Fix breed fan access to all presets
- Fix preset system variations between devices


### S

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-modular/id1291071549)

This semi-modular synthesizer app for iPad offers a hands-on sound design experience with a single-screen interface for intuitive patching. It delivers a warm, vintage sound inspired by 1970s synthesizers, featuring dual oscillators, resonant filters, and multiple modulation sources.

**Highlights:** Single-screen interface, Fast, hands-on patching, Vintage 1970s synth sound, Dual oscillators, Resonant ladder filter, Multiple modulation sources

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Crystal Synth XT free?

Crystal Synth XT costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is S free?

S costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Crystal Synth XT or S?

Crystal Synth XT is rated higher. Crystal Synth XT averages 4.9 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while S averages 2.6 from 11 ratings.

### Do Crystal Synth XT or S have ads?

Neither Crystal Synth XT nor S shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Crystal Synth XT or S?

Crystal Synth XT ships an update every 4 months, and S every 7 months. Most recently, Crystal Synth XT was updated on October 23, 2026 and S on October 7, 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.*