# shapesynth vs Orphion

The clearest difference is rating: shapesynth at 4.9 against Orphion's 4.0. shapesynth also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Orphion's advantage is review sentiment (85% vs 65%) and price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

shapesynth costs $4.99 and Orphion $3.99 up front. Orphion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. shapesynth asks for nothing beyond the download.

shapesynth holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 31 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of shapesynth's written reviews are positive against 85% of Orphion's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | shapesynth | Orphion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapesynth/id431097161/reviews)** | [4.0 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphion/id495465097/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **31** |
| Positive reviews | 65.1% of reviews | **84.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 8 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 | **7.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Erik Sigth](https://appshunter.io/developer/385275335) | [Bastus Trump](https://appshunter.io/developer/495465100) |

## What reviewers say

### shapesynth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapesynth/id431097161)

Create unique retro-inspired sounds by drawing oscillator waveforms. This polyphonic synthesizer offers extensive modulation options, built-in effects, and recording capabilities. Seamlessly integrate with other music apps and hardware for a versatile creative experience.

**Highlights:** Draw custom oscillator waveforms, 16-voice polyphony, Arpeggiator and stereo delay, Resonant filter, Parameter modulation via keyboard, MPE, accelerometer, Tape recorder with infinite overdubs, Inter-app audio and AUv3 support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Orphion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphion/id495465097)

Create expressive music and melodies with a unique virtual instrument. Explore your creativity through intuitive finger movements on virtual pads, generating sounds between string and percussion. Ideal for both beginners and experienced musicians.

**Highlights:** Unique string and percussion sound, Expressive polyphonic music, Intuitive finger pad interaction, Customizable pad layouts, MIDI and Audiobus support, Multiple articulations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Orphion Editor | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Unique and expressive musical instrument design
- 👍 Intuitive touch interface for playing music
- 🎛️ Customizable pad layouts and configurations
- 🔌 Works well as MIDI controller for other apps
- 🎨 Beautiful, simple, and elegant user interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Audio crackling and distortion issues on recent iPadOS versions
- ❌ App crashes and fails to launch on newer devices
- 📱 UI rendering problems on iPad mini and newer iPad models
- 🔧 Abandoned by developer - no updates or support
- 🚫 Incompatible with latest iPadOS (18+)

**Reported bugs**

- Audio crackling and distortion on iPadOS 18 and M4 devices
- App crashes on startup with recent iPad OS versions
- UI elements out of place on iPad mini
- MIDI not working in AUM and other DAWs
- Virtual MIDI instruments not detected when loaded as IAA

**Requested features**

- Recording and export functionality
- Additional sound patches and voices
- Custom scale and layout editor
- Pitch bend and modulation wheel controls
- AudioCopy/Paste support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is shapesynth free?

shapesynth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Orphion free?

Orphion costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, shapesynth or Orphion?

shapesynth is rated higher. shapesynth averages 4.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Orphion averages 4.0 from 31 ratings.

### Do shapesynth or Orphion have ads?

Neither shapesynth nor Orphion shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, shapesynth or Orphion?

shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, and Orphion every 2 months. Most recently, shapesynth was updated on October 18, 2026 and Orphion on October 13, 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.*