Comparison

Nave vs Zeeon synth

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

Head to head
About

Nave

This app is a powerful wavetable synthesizer for creating complex and evolving sounds. It features advanced oscillators, a versatile filter, and extensive modulation options. Users can craft unique wavetables from audio files or speech synthesis, and record their musical ideas.

Highlights
  • Advanced Wavetable Oscillators
  • Überwave Oscillator Module
  • Multimode Filter
  • Extensive Modulation Matrix
  • Speech and Audio File Wavetable Creation
  • 4-Track Recorder
  • Blades for Polyphonic Modulation
Features
Read full description

Nave - next generation Wavetable Synthesis Nave is Waldorf’s first synthesizer App development – created by chief engineer and 
director Stefan Stenzel, NLog mastermind Rolf Wöhrmann and Design Guru Axel Hartmann. The Nave sound engine includes two novel Wavetable oscillators, leaving every previous attempt in wavetable synthesis far behind. The spectrum of a sound can be transposed independently of its pitch. The waves are being rendered periodically to noisy. Especially sounds with an accent on formants can be reproduced easily, which made us integrate a speech synthesizer for the easy creation of wavetables. The clearly structured UI invites both beginners and advanced users to experiment, and the large display of 
the iPad makes Wavetable creation and editing a blast. Besides Speech Synthesis, Wavetables can also be made by analysing audio files. Further stretching, rotating and shifting in spectral domain allows Wavetables to be further refined or distorted. All factory Wavetables from Microwave, Wave and Blofeld are included, complemented by new ones that make extensive useof the enhanced possibilities. In addition to the Wavetable Oscillators, Nave offers an oscillator module featuring the novel Überwave that can fatten your sound by up to eight detuned oscillators. The filter offers the familiar outstanding Waldorf sound, featuring lowpass, bandpass and highpass with either 12dB or 24dB slope. The Drive section offers different characteristics, and it can be positioned in the signal path: before or after the filter, or as a summing overdrive before or after the equalizer - for those who prefer harsh screaming sounds over delicate Wavetable sweeps. An extended modulation matrix and diverse real time control functionality is waiting for animating Nave sounds in any desired direction. Besides the classic virtual chromatic keyboard, Nave can be played with the “Blades” that allow for dynamic triggering of polyphonic modulation by sliding the fingers in x or y direction. The 4-track recorder can be used to build your own Nave songs or to simply sketch your music, inspired by the sounds of Nave. Audio Demos: nave.waldorfmusic.de/sound Nave Specifications per Voice: · Two independent advanced Wavetable Oscillators · Osc module with up to 8 oscillator Überosc with sawtooth, triangle, PWM, white or pink noise · Two Ring Modulators · Multimode Filter with LP,BP and HP, each either 12 dB or 24 dB · 3 Envelopes · 2 LFO · 10 Modulation Matrix Entries · Drive with adjustable curve, depth and position Effects: · Modulation Effect with either Chorus, Flanger or Phaser · Modulation Delay · High Quality Reverb · Three band parametric Equalizer · Compressor Additional Features: · Keyboard with adjustable size, scrolling and glissando modes · Blades with musical scales and optional chord mode · Polyphonic X/Y finger modulation on keyboard and blades · Modulation Wheel and Pitch Bender · Up to 3 X/Y Control Pads · Four Track Recorder with clip based editing · Core MIDI in / out support · MIDI device manager for external hardware and virtual connections · Sync to MIDI Clock or WIST · MIDI Learn · Audiobus compatible · Background Audio · Arpeggiator · Polyphonic Unisono · Speech Synthesizer for Wavetables · 3D Wavetable Editing · Generation of Wavetables from external audio files · Audio Copy / Paste Support · Patch Management with unlimited user banks and categories · Import / Export audio and sound patches from iTunes

About

Zeeon synth

This app is a virtual analog synthesizer that recreates the sound and feel of classic hardware. It features a detailed circuit-modeling engine, powerful modulation, and multiple filter models for rich, organic soundscapes. Explore a vast array of presets and expand your sonic palette with additional sound banks.

Highlights
  • Circuit-modeling engine
  • Powerful modulation matrix
  • Dual oscillators with variable waveforms
  • Multiple filter models
  • Built-in effects unit
  • Audio Unit v3 support
  • Polyphonic step sequencer
Features
Read full description

Zeeon is a virtual-analog synthesizer built on a deeply detailed circuit-modeling engine. We’ve studied classic and modern analog synths to uncover what gives them their unmistakable character and recreated that essence with precision. The result is a unique instrument that delivers the warmth, movement, and organic depth of true hardware. While many emulations sound flat, Zeeon breathes. Every note is alive, with tight lows and shimmering highs. All audio and modulation are processed at 176 kHz (4× oversampling) for uncompromised quality across the entire spectrum. “Desktop-class sound engine … fidelity of this analog emulation goes beyond everything else on iOS.” – App Store review Features • Audio Unit v3 and standalone application with a simple polyphonic step sequencer • Powerful modulation matrix offering self-modulation and cross-layer modulation, 8 modulation slots, 17 signal sources and 41 targets available, both from modulation modules and audio signal path. This takes Zeeon into semi-modular territory. Imagine oscillator waveform, panning, filter cutoff, resonance or LP-HP mode modulated by oscillators or another layer! • 2 oscillators with continuously variable waveforms, hard-sync and sub-oscillator. Carefully simulated analog drift and PSU influence. • Filter: 3 models available: Transistor ladder low pass, OTA cascade low pass and State Variable Filter with continuously variable LP-HP + BP mode. • 2 low frequency oscillators and envelope generators per voice. • Overdrive: diode clipper, transistor saturation, wave folder, pre and post filter. • Up to 2 layers per voice. Layers can modulate each other. • Effects unit: Circuit modelled BBD chorus, bass booster, zero-delay Phaser, Stereo delay and Reverb. • 280 presets and Tutorials bank. 3 additional banks available as IAPs. Full manual and audio demos available at the BeepStreet website.

Screenshots

Zeeon synth3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nave at none against Zeeon synth's 3. Nave also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 76%) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 15.6). Zeeon synth's advantage is price ($14.99 vs $19.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On ratings volume and ads 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

Nave costs $19.99 and Zeeon synth $14.99 up front. Zeeon synth sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Nave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Zeeon synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 78 and 209 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 87% of Nave's written reviews are positive against 76% of Zeeon synth's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nave ships an update every 3 months, Zeeon synth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Nave versus Zeeon synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNaveZeeon synth
Price$19.99$14.99 — better
Rating4.6 (78 ratings)4.8 (209 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.2% of reviews — better76.0% of reviews
Number of ratings78209 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size198 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWaldorf MusicBeepStreet

Customer experience

Nave

All ratings77 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews288 reviews
Positive87.2%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.6%

Zeeon synth

All ratings209 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews167 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral7.2%
Negative16.8%

User reviews

Nave

From 78 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sound engine
  • 👍 Intuitive and visually appealing interface
  • 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
  • 💯 High-quality presets
  • 🎹 Excellent on-screen keyboard

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Stability issues and crashes
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔀 Preset navigation could be improved
  • 🔒 Lack of AUv3 support
  • 🔇 Some presets rely heavily on built-in effects

Zeeon synth

From 209 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Excellent sound quality
  • 🎹 Intuitive and well-designed interface
  • 🔧 Flexible and deep sound design capabilities
  • 💻 Seamless integration as an AUv3 plugin
  • 🎚️ Smooth and responsive controls

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Stability issues, crashes on some devices
  • 🔌 Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • 📂 Preset management could be improved
  • 🔀 Lack of MIDI learn and sequencer features
  • 🖥️ UI scaling issues on larger iPad displays

Bugs and requests

Nave

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Audio dropouts and glitches when used with other apps
  • Presets not saving correctly
  • Keyboard issues like lack of lock function

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add AUv3 support for better integration with other apps
  • Improve preset management and organization
  • Implement a basic sequencer or MIDI recording
  • Add more modulation options and deeper sound design capabilities

Zeeon synth

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Preset settings not retained after app restart
  • Synth reverts to default settings when reopening Logic Pro project
  • Crashes and freezes on certain iOS 14+ devices
  • Inability to access in-app purchases from within the app

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add MIDI learn functionality
  • Implement a more robust preset management system
  • Include a built-in sequencer with save/load capabilities
  • Improve UI scaling and layout for larger iPad screens
  • Provide better integration with inter-app audio and Audiobus

In-app purchases

None

Nave

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Zeeon synth

One-time3
  • OI - Exploration Vol. 1$3.99
  • BB Z-Space$4.99
  • BB Synthwave$4.99

Questions

Is Nave free?
Nave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zeeon synth free?
Zeeon synth costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nave or Zeeon synth?
Zeeon synth is rated higher. Nave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 78 ratings, while Zeeon synth averages 4.8 from 209 ratings.
Do Nave or Zeeon synth have ads?
Neither Nave nor Zeeon synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nave or Zeeon synth?
Nave ships an update every 3 months, and Zeeon synth every 2 months. Most recently, Nave was updated on October 22, 2026 and Zeeon synth on October 24, 2026.

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