Comparison

Core Synth Free vs Synthesizer Sim

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

Head to head
About

Core Synth Free

Create music with a monophonic synthesizer featuring dual oscillators, adjustable filters, and envelope shaping. Explore various wave patterns and octaves to craft unique sounds for live performance or composition.

Highlights
  • Dual overlapping oscillators
  • Four wave patterns
  • Adjustable low pass filter
  • ADSR envelope shaping
  • 1 octave keyboard
  • Save and load patches
Features
Read full description

Get your groove on with Core Synth Free, the definitive monophonic synthesizer for the iPhone and iPod touch. With tons of features packed into a small package, Core Synth is great for live performing. This free app has the following features: - 1 Octave keyboard - Keys light up in different colors when pressed Oscillator Module - Dual overlapping oscillators - Four wave patterns: Square, Triangle, Sawtooth and Reverse Sawtooth * Select from 5 octaves * Adjust glide between notes * Fine tune Oscillator 2 with option to sync with Oscillator 1 Volume Envelope Shaper - Edit ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) Low Pass Filter Module - Adjust Cutoff and Resonance - Edit ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) Upgrade to the full version within the app for the following additional features: - 7 Octave Keyboard - Octave control to move along entire range Patches Module - Save an unlimited number of individually named patches - Browse through your collection before applying patch - Delete unwanted patches - Backup patches via iTunes File Sharing Modulation Module - Four wave patterns: Square, Triangle, Sawtooth and Reverse Sawtooth - Modulate Filter, Pitch or Wave - Adjust LFO Rate and amount Arpeggiator Module - Arpeggio moves up to 5 octaves - Four step modes: Up, Down, Up/Down, Random - Adjust rate Many more exciting enhancements to follow! Core Synth Free includes open source code from MobileSynth developed by Allen Porter.

About

Synthesizer Sim

This app transforms your device into a versatile music creation studio, offering a responsive synth keyboard and advanced sound design tools. Explore a wide range of sounds, record your performances, and share your music instantly. It supports MIDI input and includes rhythm tools for practice and live performance.

Highlights
  • Responsive synth keyboard
  • Advanced sound design engine
  • Built-in effects and modulation
  • MIDI keyboard support
  • Rhythm accompaniment and metronome
  • Performance recording and sharing
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into an expressive synthesizer. Shape original sounds, play with touch or an external MIDI controller, and capture performances for later playback or WAV sharing. SYNTHESIZE YOUR SOUND • Three oscillators plus a sub oscillator • Six waveforms, unison, detune, mixer and stereo pan controls • Amp and filter envelopes with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch modes • Distortion, EQ, chorus, delay and reverb • Two LFOs for pitch, amplitude and filter modulation PLAY AND CONTROL • Responsive keyboard with velocity, sustain, pitch bend and transpose • Poly, mono and legato voice modes with glide • USB, Bluetooth and network MIDI input • MIDI note, velocity, pitch bend and common controller support PRESETS AND TUNING • 96 factory presets for pads, leads, basses and more • Save your own User presets • Western, world and makam scales • Adjustable root, A4 reference and per-note cent offsets • Save custom User tunings RECORD AND SHARE • Record synth performances without microphone access • Replay saved performances with their sound and tuning settings • Export and share recordings as WAV files FREE AND PREMIUM The free version includes 10 factory presets, up to three User presets and tunings, one saved performance, and optional rewarded access to additional sounds. It may display ads. Premium removes ads and unlocks all 96 factory presets, unlimited User presets and tunings, and unlimited saved performances. Choose a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Purchases are managed through your App Store account and can be restored in the app. Terms of Use: https://alyakastudio.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://alyakastudio.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Core Synth Free3 screens
Synthesizer Sim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Synthesizer Sim at 4.1 against Core Synth Free's 2.9. Synthesizer Sim also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 13 months). Core Synth Free's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Core Synth Free sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Synthesizer Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Synthesizer Sim holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 12 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Core Synth Free ships an update every 13 months, Synthesizer Sim every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on June 8, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Core Synth Free versus Synthesizer Sim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCore Synth FreeSynthesizer Sim
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (8 ratings)4.1 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings812 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCore Engine AppsAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

Core Synth Free

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral4.5%
Negative31.8%

Synthesizer Sim

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Core Synth Free

One-time1
  • Full Version Upgrade$0.99
1 purchases

Synthesizer Sim

One-time1
  • Get Premium$9.99

Questions

Is Core Synth Free free?
Core Synth Free is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Synthesizer Sim free?
Synthesizer Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Core Synth Free or Synthesizer Sim?
Synthesizer Sim is rated higher. Core Synth Free averages 2.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Synthesizer Sim averages 4.1 from 12 ratings.
Do Core Synth Free or Synthesizer Sim have ads?
Synthesizer Sim shows ads; Core Synth Free does not.
Which is updated more often, Core Synth Free or Synthesizer Sim?
Core Synth Free ships an update every 13 months, and Synthesizer Sim every 4 months. Most recently, Core Synth Free was updated on June 8, 2026 and Synthesizer Sim on September 22, 2026.

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