Comparison

Crystal Synth XT vs GlitchStep

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

Head to head
About

Crystal Synth XT

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
Read full description

Crystal Synth XT is a full featured semi-modular synthesizer, ideally suited to creating lush evolving soundscapes. Crystal VST has long been a popular synthesizer on the desktop. Crystal Synth XT brings that same powerful synthesis engine to the iPad and iPhone. Crystal Synth XT features MIDI keyboard input via Apple's camera adapter and sharing of sounds with the desktop version of Crystal. == Features == Browse through the included sounds and use the 2 octave keypad or keyboard to trigger notes to produce evolving, rhythmic, or melodic sounds. Create your own sounds with a single button press using the breed feature. When using an iPad, you can delve into a tweaker's dream by using the extensive editing features to sculpt sounds to your heart's content (editing features are only available when used on an iPad). Crystal features both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. It offers abundant modulation control with over 90 parameters which may be modulated, multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, extensive tempo sync of envelopes/lfo rates/delay times, built-in effects for chorus/flanging/comb filtering/echoes, and a band splitter for effects processing by frequency band. Not only that, Crystal has wave sequencing and granular synthesis. The musical applications for Crystal are literally boundless. == MIDI == With MIDI keyboard input, you can connect a MIDI keyboard to your iPad or iPhone and play Crystal Synth XT like a hardware synth. == Virtual MIDI == Use virtual midi to play Crystal Synth XT from a midi controller app. Use the Settings app to turn on the Background Audio mode to enable Crystal to play audio when in the background. You can then play Crystal from a midi controller app which supports virtual midi. == Sharing == With patch sharing you can create sounds on your iPad or iPhone while away from the studio, then transfer them to the desktop Crystal when you get back to the studio to use in recording projects. Or, create banks of sounds on the desktop Crystal, then transfer them to the iPad/iPhone Crystal to use in a live performance for a truly portable rig. Use Audio copy/paste to record your performance on Crystal and transfer that performance to another app. Or copy your recorded performance to your computer. == Inter App Audio and Audiobus == To use IAA or Audiobus to record into other apps, turn on Background Audio for Crystal Synth XT in the Settings app. See demonstration videos on the greenoak.com website. == Different Versions == If you don't need all the features of Crystal Synth XT, try the basic version of Crystal, also available in the app store from Green Oak Software. With the basic version you can browse sounds, play notes, and create new sounds, taking advantage of its powerful semimodular synthesis engine. The XT version adds features like MIDI keyboard input via the iPad's camera adapter, IAA/Audiobus, and patch sharing with the desktop version. Choose the app that is best for you! == Notes == Important note for iPhone users: Crystal Synth XT runs on both the iPad and the iPhone. Because of the limited screen space on the iPhone however, the editing pages, which contain the edit controls, are not available when running on that device. However, on the iPhone you can still browse sounds, play notes from the keypad, create new sounds with the Breed feature, modify patches with the Design feature, and share sounds with desktop Crystal VST. For videos and information about Crystal Synth XT, visit: http://www.greenoak.com

About

GlitchStep

This music app is a monophonic 16-step MIDI sequencer and AUv3 MIDI processor extension. It allows for real-time sequence rearrangement, song building with playlists, and dynamic performance variations. Integrate it with your favorite AUv3 hosts for enhanced music production.

Highlights
  • 16-step monophonic sequencer
  • AUv3 MIDI processor extension
  • Real-time sequence rearrangement
  • Pattern and slice playlists
  • Glitch effects with XY pad
  • Extensive scale options
  • Customizable sequence controls
Features
Read full description

Unleash Your Creativity with GlitchStep GlitchStep is a cutting-edge monophonic 16-step, performance-oriented sequencer and AUv3 MIDI processor extension. Dive into a world of musical possibilities as you play with your sequence and perform dynamic, captivating variations. Next-Level Sequence Manipulation: Inspired by GlitchCore, GlitchStep employs a slice grid for real-time sequence rearrangement. Both patterns and slices can be compiled into playlists, allowing you to build and modify songs on-the-fly for live performance or studio sessions. Effortless Integration: Load GlitchStep as an AUv3 MIDI Processor/MIDI FX in your favorite AUv3 hosts like AUM, Logic, Loopy Pro, Drambo, and more. Note: Standalone use is not supported. Features to Elevate Your Music: - 16 Steps - 8 Patterns - Unlimited Pattern Playlist Entries - Slice Grid with Drawing Mode - 8 Slice Patterns - Unlimited Slice Pattern Playlist Entries - Glitch Your Sequence with XY Pad and Sliders - Aggressive Glitch Capabilities - Extensive Scale Options - Customizable Start and End Sequence Positions - Control Sequence Direction - Global Sequence Rate Adjustments - Individual Pattern Rates - Pattern Note Slides - Swing - Randomize, Shift, Shuffle, Copy/Paste, and Initialize Patterns - Randomization Thresholds - Selective Randomization for Notes, Gates, Velocity, and Probability - Randomize, Shift, Copy/Paste, and Initialize Slices - Scale Key Adjustment - Minimum Octave and Octave Range Settings - 16 Themes Transform your music production with GlitchStep. Whether you're looking to add subtle variations or go all-in on aggressive glitches, this app has you covered.

Screenshots

Crystal Synth XT1 screens
GlitchStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: GlitchStep at every 3 days against Crystal Synth XT's every 4 months. GlitchStep also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 78%). Crystal Synth XT's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.2). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Crystal Synth XT costs $4.99 and GlitchStep $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Crystal Synth XT against 4.9 for GlitchStep. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 19 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Crystal Synth XT's written reviews are positive against 89% of GlitchStep's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Crystal Synth XT ships an update every 4 months, GlitchStep every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Crystal Synth XT versus GlitchStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrystal Synth XTGlitchStep
Price$4.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.9 (20 ratings)4.9 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews78.4% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGreen Oak SoftwareAlex Matheu

Customer experience

Crystal Synth XT

All ratings20 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive78.4%
Neutral8.1%
Negative13.5%

GlitchStep

All ratings19 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

Bugs and requests

Crystal Synth XT

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App not working, splash screen disappears
  • Screen in background
  • Envelope points not moving
  • Breed fan not working properly
  • Crashing on launch
Show 10 more
  • Clicks and crashes when adjusting parameters
  • Sounds distorted and buggy
  • Won't play any sounds
  • Crashes when hitting record
  • Play surface stopped responding
  • Crash when trying record function
  • Crackles and pops in sound engine
  • Audiobus fails, breaks up when switching apps
  • Preset name editing gone after iOS 7 update
  • Splash screen appears for a second, then disappears

Requested features

22 requests
  • AUv3 support
  • Update to an AU3 standard
  • Newer interface
  • Fix breed fan access to all presets
  • Fix preset system variations between devices
Show 17 more
  • AUv3 implementation
  • Update the envelope points
  • AUv3 standard transformation
  • Multiple instances in DAWs
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard
  • Fix preset name editing
  • In-app purchase for a second instance
  • Load/Save banks
  • Metronome or timer capability
  • Newer app icon
  • Redesign for Retina Display
  • Polyphony on iOS version
  • Recording facility
  • Keyboard option
  • Virtual MIDI support
  • Advanced patch editing on iPod version

GlitchStep

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Crystal Synth XT

No in-app purchases

None

GlitchStep

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Crystal Synth XT free?
Crystal Synth XT costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is GlitchStep free?
GlitchStep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Crystal Synth XT or GlitchStep?
Crystal Synth XT and GlitchStep are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 20 and 19 ratings respectively.
Do Crystal Synth XT or GlitchStep have ads?
Neither Crystal Synth XT nor GlitchStep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Crystal Synth XT or GlitchStep?
Crystal Synth XT ships an update every 4 months, and GlitchStep every 3 days. Most recently, Crystal Synth XT was updated on September 21, 2026 and GlitchStep on September 22, 2026.

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