Comparison

Krill Synthesizer vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

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

Head to head
About

Krill Synthesizer

This virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer offers a streamlined interface for creating quick synth sounds on iPad. It features two oscillators, an LFO, a low-pass filter, two envelopes, and stereo effects, all accessible from a single screen.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer
  • Single-screen interface
  • Two oscillators
  • One LFO
  • Low-pass filter
  • Stereo chorus and ping-pong delay
  • 64 presets
Features
Read full description

The GSi Krill Synthesizer was born from a design originally conceived to work as a mono synthesizer on an embedded processor (RP2040), then it was modified to be polyphonic for a more powerful processor (ARM H7) and finally we thought it would be perfect as a AUv3 for iPad, for those quick and dirty synth sounds you sometimes need without getting lost in endless parameter navigation and menu diving. So here it is, just one screen, one knob - one function, what you see is what you get. Two oscillators, one LFO, one low pass filter, two envelopes, stereo chorus, ping-pong delay, 64 presets. Have fun!

About

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

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
Read full description

Inspired by the classic sounds of the Nord Lead A1** This is not a Rompler. This is a SYNTH.  "I’m impressed. The sounds are FAT, the effects are LUSH, and the interface is a JOY to use."  – Audio News Room "This is not a clone, this is BEYOND the hardware, it's a completely new, fantastic beast" – Jade Starr, How to App "An excellent release...app captures the soul of the Nord Lead A1 Synthesizer"  – Synth Anatomy "An iOS-based homage to a virtual analogue classic!" – Music Radar / Keyboard Magazine Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/redsynth With Nerd Synth, you’ll have access to all 40+ of the classic lead A1 waveforms! Plus, we gave it some RAW MODERN POWER. FULLY LOADED w/ 550+ presets by Analog Matthew, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. One low price includes Lifetime License and all Features Easy to use. Easy to get great tone! NERD SYNTH A2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Include all 40+ of the Nord A1 waveforms • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR! • NEW: 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Microtonality, World Scales and Western Scales! • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, -= Create NORD-style SUPER SAWS =- ++ Four-voice Unison with the tap of a button ++ 3 different algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! "Astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app!" – The GarageBand Guide Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2003? Complete with that "cold" VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard EXCLUSIVE TO THIS APP: • "SUPER FM" wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive RING MODULATION distortion – It's like robots talking, or fighting? You decide! COOL: • iPad version has "stacked" views for maximum onscreen control! Tap the current Nav Button at the top to change the bottom view • This is a Premium App: No iAP, No Ads, No subscriptions! Use as a plug-in in DAWs like GarageBand & Logic for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and more! NOTE: This is not a hardware clone, it's a completely new synth. If you're looking for a ROMpler like the "Stage" series, this app may not be for you. This is a SYNTH, not a rompler. All the presets here are new and original. Giving you fresh new sounds that are completely tweak-able This is not a 1:1 clone and will not load hardware presets. Please note that this app's sound is closer to the A1, which is a different sound from the NL1/NL2X. ** This app has no affiliation or endorsement by Clavia DMI AB. This app is not a clone of any their synths, including the Nord Lead and Nord Lead A1. While we were inspired by their wonderful and iconic work, this app is not trying to copy those synths. We created something completely new. It's a synth for synth nerds :) LEGAL STUFF: All product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Any use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2X, Nord, and Nord Lead A1 are Clavia trademarks and properties. We appreciate their amazing work in creating such classic and inspiring instruments.

Screenshots

Krill Synthesizer1 screens
NERD Synth A2x + AUv34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 at $5.99 against Krill Synthesizer's $11.99. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 also leads on ratings volume (1.4K vs 6). Krill Synthesizer's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 89%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.4). On rating, update cadence, 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

Krill Synthesizer costs $11.99 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Krill Synthesizer against 4.9 for NERD Synth A2x + AUv3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 has 1.4K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Krill Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 89% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Krill Synthesizer ships an update weekly, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Krill Synthesizer versus NERD Synth A2x + AUv3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKrill SynthesizerNERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Price$11.99$5.99 — better
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better4.9 (1.4K ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better89.0% of reviews
Number of ratings61.4K — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.4
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

Krill Synthesizer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

All ratings1,342 ratings
Positive99.1%
Neutral0.6%
Negative0.3%
Written reviews163 reviews
Positive89.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative3.7%

Bugs and requests

Krill Synthesizer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

In-app purchases

None

Krill Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

None

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Krill Synthesizer free?
Krill Synthesizer costs $11.99, with no 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, Krill Synthesizer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
Krill Synthesizer is rated higher. Krill Synthesizer averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 averages 4.9 from 1.4K ratings.
Do Krill Synthesizer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 have ads?
Neither Krill Synthesizer nor NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Krill Synthesizer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
Krill Synthesizer ships an update weekly, and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. Most recently, Krill Synthesizer was updated on October 11, 2026 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 on October 27, 2026.

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