# Crystal Synth XT vs GlitchStep

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Crystal Synth XT | GlitchStep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [4.9 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370/reviews) | [4.9 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glitchstep/id6708239273/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **20** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 78.4% of reviews | **88.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 36 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Green Oak Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/355342717) | [Alex Matheu](https://appshunter.io/developer/407790501) |

## 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


### GlitchStep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glitchstep/id6708239273)

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:** 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 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*