# Core Synth HD vs Retro Synth

The clearest difference is rating: Retro Synth at 4.2 against Core Synth HD's 3.4. Core Synth HD's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Core Synth HD sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Retro Synth sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Retro Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 5 respectively.

Core Synth HD ships an update every 4 months, Retro Synth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Core Synth HD | Retro Synth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/core-synth-hd/id446631941/reviews) | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-synth-syntophone/id6754520378/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 30.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Core Engine Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/382236096) | [Kerem ERSU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1759709233) |

## What reviewers say

### Core Synth HD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/core-synth-hd/id446631941)

Create music with a powerful monophonic synthesizer for iPad. Explore dual oscillators, customizable filters, and an arpeggiator. Save your custom sounds and enhance your live performances with intuitive controls.

**Highlights:** Dual overlapping oscillators, Four wave patterns, Low Pass Filter with ADSR, Volume Envelope Shaper (ADSR), Arpeggiator with multiple modes, Save unlimited patches

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for learning basics
- 🎶 Nice retro sound emulation
- 💰 Great value for free/low cost
- 🎹 All controls visible
- 💡 Simple and clear interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔇 No sound issues
- 🔇 Sound stopped working
- 🔇 No sound after purchase
- 🔇 No sound on specific iOS versions
- 🐛 Glitching/microclicks

**Reported bugs**

- No sound on iPad Pro
- No sound on iOS 12
- No sound since last update
- Program doesn't start after update
- Ad blocks view

**Requested features**

- Add MIDI support
- Add Audiobus support
- Add recording with copy/paste
- Add sine wave for sub basses
- Add polyphony option


### Retro Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-synth-syntophone/id6754520378)

Create authentic retro music with this vintage-inspired synthesizer app. Explore sound design with tone controls and vibrato, or upgrade for premium waveforms and studio effects. Designed for instant musical creativity, it offers a portable music-making experience.

**Highlights:** Authentic vintage sound recreation, Tone control for sound shaping, Vibrato effect for musical expression, Zero latency real-time response, Premium waveforms (Sine, Sawtooth, Triangle), Studio effects (Reverb, Delay), MIDI export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Remove ads | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Core Synth HD free?

Core Synth HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Retro Synth free?

Retro Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Core Synth HD or Retro Synth?

Retro Synth is rated higher. Core Synth HD averages 3.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Retro Synth averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.

### Do Core Synth HD or Retro Synth have ads?

Neither Core Synth HD nor Retro Synth shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Core Synth HD or Retro Synth?

Core Synth HD ships an update every 4 months, and Retro Synth every 2 months. Most recently, Core Synth HD was updated on October 20, 2026 and Retro Synth on October 17, 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.*