# Nave vs Nambu

The clearest difference is update cadence: Nambu at fortnightly against Nave's every 3 months. Nambu also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and price ($16.00 vs $19.99). Nave's advantage is iOS requirement (10.3 vs 12.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Nave costs $19.99 and Nambu $16.00 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Nambu holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 78 and 48 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Nave's written reviews are positive against 92% of Nambu's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Nave | Nambu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$16.00** |
| Rating | [4.6 (78 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nave/id596036905/reviews) | **[4.8 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nambu-auv3-plug-in-synth/id1624422460/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **78** | 48 |
| Positive reviews | 87.2% of reviews | **92.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#198** |
| Size | 198 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.3** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Waldorf Music](https://appshunter.io/developer/516565566) | [iceWorks, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/347507439) |

## What reviewers say

### Nave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nave/id596036905)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Nambu

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nambu-auv3-plug-in-synth/id1624422460)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app is a semi-modular FM synthesizer offering a unique sound design experience. It combines traditional FM operators with six distinct operator types, including analog-style oscillators, noise, filters, and resonators.

**Highlights:** Semi-modular FM synthesis, Six operator types, Analog synth-style oscillators, AM synthesis, Noise generator, Filters and resonators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nave free?

Nave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Nambu free?

Nambu costs $16.00, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Nave or Nambu?

Nambu is rated higher. Nave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 78 ratings, while Nambu averages 4.8 from 48 ratings.

### Do Nave or Nambu have ads?

Neither Nave nor Nambu shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Nave or Nambu?

Nave ships an update every 3 months, and Nambu fortnightly. Most recently, Nave was updated on October 22, 2026 and Nambu on October 24, 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.*