# TC vs Synthecaster

The clearest difference is price: Synthecaster at $0.99 against TC's $24.99. Synthecaster also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). TC's advantage is ratings volume (68 vs 14). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

TC costs $24.99 and Synthecaster $0.99 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 — 4.8 for TC against 4.9 for Synthecaster. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 68 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of TC's written reviews are positive against 90% of Synthecaster's.

TC ships an update every 5 weeks, Synthecaster every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TC | Synthecaster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $24.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.8 (68 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tc-11/id488577050/reviews) | **[4.9 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthecaster/id705067086/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **68** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews | **90.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 53 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bit Shape](https://appshunter.io/developer/397853985) | [Daniel Resnick](https://appshunter.io/developer/705067089) |

## What reviewers say

### TC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tc-11/id488577050)

This app is a fully programmable multi-touch synthesizer for iPad. Create unique sounds using touch gestures, device motion, and a variety of on-board modules. Explore a vast sonic landscape with extensive customization options.

**Highlights:** 185 built-in presets, Unlimited user patches, Multi-touch and device motion control, 23 modular synthesis objects, Built-in recording and AudioCopy, Audiobus support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Innovative touch-screen interface design
- 🎵 Exceptional sound quality and synthesis engine
- 🎹 Unique iPad-optimized instrument approach
- 🎚️ Highly customizable and deep sound design capabilities
- 🎭 Expressive performance control with multitouch gestures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes on opening and during use
- ⚠️ Stability issues with recent updates
- 🎹 Difficult learning curve for beginners
- 🔌 No MIDI support or DAW integration
- 🎼 Limited ability to play precise melodies

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes upon opening after recent updates
- Black screen crashes when launching
- Crashes when adding patches to folders
- Crashes within Audiobus after 13.1 update
- AudioCopy button crashes on iPad 3

**Requested features**

- MIDI support and DAW synchronization
- Ability to record and playback motion gestures
- Sample import and granular synthesis capabilities
- Microtonal tuning support (Scala files)
- Note hold function per surface


### Synthecaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthecaster/id705067086)

This app offers a unique polyphonic instrument that blends guitar and keyboard elements, allowing for diverse playing styles and sound generation. It features intuitive controls, motion modulation for expressive performance, and a powerful synth engine with extensive customization options.

**Highlights:** Polyphonic synth engine, String-like key rows, Motion Modulation for expressiveness, MIDI controller functionality, Built-in effects (flanger, chorus, delay), Customizable synth presets, Inter-App Audio and Audiobus support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TC free?

TC costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Synthecaster free?

Synthecaster costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TC or Synthecaster?

Synthecaster is rated higher. TC averages 4.8 out of 5 from 68 ratings, while Synthecaster averages 4.9 from 14 ratings.

### Do TC or Synthecaster have ads?

Neither TC nor Synthecaster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TC or Synthecaster?

TC ships an update every 5 weeks, and Synthecaster every 2 months. Most recently, TC was updated on October 21, 2026 and Synthecaster on October 21, 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.*