# Orphion vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

The clearest difference is rating: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 at 4.9 against Orphion's 4.0. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Orphion's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 14.4). On review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Orphion costs $3.99 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 $5.99 up front. Orphion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 has 1.3K ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Orphion's written reviews are positive against 90% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.

Orphion ships an update every 2 months, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on August 2, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Orphion | NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $5.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphion/id495465097/reviews) | **[4.9 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerd-synth-a2x-plus-auv3/id6478898564/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 84.7% of reviews | **90.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#158** |
| Size | 27 MB | 242 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 14.4 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bastus Trump](https://appshunter.io/developer/495465100) | [AudioKit Pro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1307785645) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerd-synth-a2x-plus-auv3/id6478898564)

**Currently charting:** #158 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This virtual analog synthesizer offers a powerful and intuitive sound design experience, inspired by classic hardware. Explore over 40 classic waveforms, a versatile arpeggiator, step sequencer, and lush effects to craft unique electronic music.

**Highlights:** Virtual Analog Synthesizer, 40+ Classic Waveforms, Arpeggiator, Step Sequencer, Lush Effects Suite, Four-voice Unison, AUv3 Plugin Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Outstanding synth
- 👍 Very nice and rich sounding
- 🎨 Great presets and sound design
- 🔧 Easy to use and intuitive
- 💻 Works well in AUv3 environments

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't show up in Logic
- 🔧 Needs to be more Mac-compatible
- 🔧 Changing presets can be sluggish
- 🔧 Missing aftertouch/expression support

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't fit properly in Logic Pro for iPad
- Keyboard keys get stuck when using a controller

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Undo/redo functionality
- Improved Logic Pro integration
- Ability to change color scheme


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Orphion free?

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

### Is NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 free?

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Orphion or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 is rated higher. Orphion averages 4.0 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 averages 4.9 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do Orphion or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 have ads?

Neither Orphion nor NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Orphion or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?

Orphion ships an update every 2 months, and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. Most recently, Orphion was updated on August 2, 2026 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 on September 29, 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.*