Comparison

Impaktor vs Tera Synth

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

Head to head
About

Impaktor

This app transforms any surface into a playable percussion instrument using your device's microphone. It offers a vast sonic palette with advanced sound modules and synthesis types, allowing for a wide range of acoustic, electronic, and industrial tones. Enjoy a realistic virtual drumming experience with low latency and a 6-track recorder.

Highlights
  • Surface-to-percussion instrument transformation
  • Advanced sound module simulation
  • Semi-modular synthesis architecture
  • Physical modeling, FM, and noise shaping synthesis
  • 6-track audio recorder with 3D panning
  • Ultra-low latency performance
Features
Read full description

* "Without doubt the most powerful and genuinely useful percussion app on the App Store right now" Computer Music * Reached the #1 paid music app in 5 countries * SonicTouch (www.sonicstate.com) gold award Impaktor is a drum synthesizer with a vast sonic palette, that turns any surface into a playable percussion instrument. You just slap your desk like you would a real drum. The real acoustical impulses from the built-in microphone are used as an excitation source for advanced sound modules that simulates behavior of membranes, cymbals, metallophones or strings. This makes Impaktor a highly responsive and expressive instrument. With semi-modular architecture and several types of synthesis, Impaktor can produce a wide range of tones, from acoustic, like Tabla, Djembe, Marimba, Cymbals, Metal bars to electronic or industrial sounds. We strongly recommend using the app with wired headphones to avoid acoustic feedback and ensure ultra-low latency. (USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter, USB-C headphones or an audio interface). You can use the Impaktor app with a contact microphone or analog drum pad to achieve isolated and sensitive input, reducing ambient noise and enhancing trigger accuracy. Enjoy the most realistic virtual drumming experience available for mobile devices! SYNTHESIZER - Synthesis: physical modeling, frequency modulation, noise shaping - Semi-modular architecture; 2 modules with configurable routing - 2 modulation sources: velocity and lfo-envelope. Almost every parameter can be modulated - Multimode filter, harmonic exciter and several types of amplifiers - Over 90 presets available, more coming soon - No samples used - Ultra low latency  RECORDER - 6 tracks audio recorder - True 3d panning - Auto-quantization with configurable time-signature - Reverb and Delay effects - Audio-copy and wave export

About

Tera Synth

Create unique sounds beyond traditional synthesizers with a modular analog and digital synthesis workstation. Combine physical modeling, wireless patching, and built-in effects for a fat, individual sound. Features a programmable arpeggiator and live playing options.

Highlights
  • Modular analog and digital synthesis
  • Physical modeling modules
  • Wireless patching and modulation routing
  • Built-in distortion, delay, chorus, phaser, and reverb effects
  • Programmable arpeggiator
  • Live playing with onscreen keyboard and MIDI support
  • Audiobus and Inter-App-Audio integration
Read full description

Tera Synth - Modular Analog Synthesizer Explore new sound spaces with Tera Synth that go beyond the emulation of synthesizer legends. Use the power of analog and digital synthesis combined with new modules for physical modelling. Wireless patching of modules combined with an intelligible modulation routing simplifies the development of new synthesizer designs from scratch. Distortion effect, Delay/Chorus/Phaser and Reverb effects give your sounds the final polishing. Tera Synth gives your music an individual character with its unique fat sound. The well-designed algorithms and the economical modular structure provides you with a comparatively high voice yield. Precise timing with the unique built-in Arpeggiator let you feel the rhythm. Tera Synth supports Audiobus and Inter-App-Audio for integration with other Music Apps. Modular Analog Synthesis • Modular synthesizer with free connections between modules. • 25 Sound Modules • 4 Low frequency oscillators • 4 Standard ADSR Envelope generators. • 4 Multi Segment Envelopes with tempo sync. • 64 time/level segments per envelope • Monophonic or polyphonic with up to 32 voices. • More than 920 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared. FX • Chorus with four delay lines. • 8 pole Analog Phaser. • Distortion effect with Tube/Tape emulation • Stereo Echo/Delay effect. • Hi end reverberation unit. Live • Play melodies live with the onscreen keyboard. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato. • Optionally use CoreMIDI* compatible hardware keyboard. • Dozens of scales selectable • Variable Keyboard layout for scale optimized playing Full featured programmable Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps. • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Global • Audiobus 3 compatible (Input slot) with Preset saving. • Inter App Audio • AudioUnit AUv3 with parameter automation • Ableton Link compatible • Audio pasteboard. Copy audio recordings to Clipboard for use with other Apps • Exchange user presets with File Sharing in iTunes. • Support for MIDI input/output connections. • MIDI learn functionality.

Screenshots

Impaktor2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tera Synth at 4.8 against Impaktor's 3.7. Tera Synth also leads on price ($1.99 vs $6.99) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 12 months). Impaktor's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Impaktor costs $6.99 and Tera Synth $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tera Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Impaktor's written reviews are positive against 86% of Tera Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Impaktor ships an update every 12 months, Tera Synth every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Impaktor versus Tera Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterImpaktorTera Synth
Price$6.99$1.99 — better
Rating3.7 (53 ratings)4.8 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews86.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings53 — better27
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeepStreetHarry Gohs

Customer experience

Impaktor

All ratings53 ratings
Positive66.0%
Neutral7.5%
Negative26.4%
Written reviews241 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral9.5%
Negative11.6%

Tera Synth

All ratings27 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive86.4%
Neutral11.4%
Negative2.3%

Bugs and requests

Impaktor

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes with Inter-App Audio
  • Issues with WAV exports
  • Latency problems on certain devices
  • Compatibility issues with iOS updates
  • Unreliable saving functionality

Requested features

6 requests
  • MIDI support
  • Audio import functionality
  • Ableton Link sync
  • More quantization options
  • Multitrack export
Show 1 more
  • Landscape mode for iPad

Tera Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Impaktor

No in-app purchases

None

Tera Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Impaktor free?
Impaktor costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tera Synth free?
Tera Synth costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Impaktor or Tera Synth?
Tera Synth is rated higher. Impaktor averages 3.7 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Tera Synth averages 4.8 from 27 ratings.
Do Impaktor or Tera Synth have ads?
Neither Impaktor nor Tera Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Impaktor or Tera Synth?
Impaktor ships an update every 12 months, and Tera Synth every 4 months. Most recently, Impaktor was updated on October 12, 2026 and Tera Synth on October 7, 2026.

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