Comparison

Hilda Synthesizer vs Phase Monkey

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

Head to head
About

Hilda Synthesizer

This app offers a complex oscillator monosynth with a blend of west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. It features a wave folder, lowpass gate, 12-mode filter, and VCA circuit, all meticulously circuit-modelled for authentic analog or digital sound. It functions as a playable synth, MIDI sequencer, and audio effect.

Highlights
  • Complex Oscillator Monosynth
  • Wave folder and lowpass gate
  • 12-mode filter
  • Circuit-modelled analog sound
  • Built-in 16-step MIDI Sequencer
  • Audio effect for external audio
  • AUv3 compatibility
Features
Read full description

Hilda is a Complex Oscillator Monosynth, inspired by the most interesting aspects of both west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. You'll find a wave folder, lowpass gate, and audio-rate modulations, but also a 12-mode filter and traditional VCA circuit. All parts of the instrument are carefully circuit-modelled to sound as analog (or digital, where applicable) as possible. It's like a best-of-all-worlds semi modular synth, but without the patch cables. The unique mix of different synthesis components adds up to a unique sounding electronic instrument, which can be used as a playable synthesizer, a MIDI sequencer and an audio effect for external audio - or any combination of those three. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect and MIDI processor modes supported) - Universal design (iPhone and iPad; iPad Air 2 or higher recommended) - Built-in analog style 16 Step MIDI Sequencer with custom scales - 12 mode filter, based on the Oberheim Xpander design - Drone mode lets you [partially] bypass the VCA/LPG and just go with the flow - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - Live pads with effects that can be triggered via the UI (or via exposed AU Parameters) - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) - MIDI Processor plugin mode disables synth to save CPU - Carefully handcrafted by yours truly, to capture the essence of my love for tinkering and experimenting with sound :-) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com

About

Phase Monkey

Explore a versatile digital synthesizer inspired by 1980s phase distortion technology. Create a wide range of sounds from warm pads to aggressive basses with its unique engine and eight-stage envelopes. Optimized for touch interaction, it also supports MIDI controllers and runs across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Phase distortion synth engine
  • Eight-stage envelopes
  • Touch-first interface
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Universal Apple purchase
  • MIDI controller support
  • iCloud preset syncing
Read full description

Phase Monkey is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the classic phase distortion synthesizers of the mid-1980s. However, instead of being a direct copy, Phase Monkey presents a fresh take on the classic sound engine, including the rare eight-stage envelopes. The result is a surprisingly versatile digital instrument that can produce anything from warm pads to shimmering leads to snarling basses. Whatever you do, don’t have fun with it! Features: - Focused, fun, and characterful synth engine - Touch-first design, almost the entire screen is part of a control - Runs standalone or as AUv3 plug-in (in compatible host) - Universal purchase on Apple platforms: runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Presets synced across your devices via iCloud - Hook up a MIDI controller to play with a keyboard (optional) Details: - Eight classic phase distortion waveforms - Dedicated modulation oscillator for ring or noise modulation - Three rare eight-stage envelopes - Complex modulation of pitch and timbre possible via envelopes - LFO with five waveforms for classic modulation sounds - Master controls: portamento, random voice pan, onboard chorus, gain - Key behavior modes: poly, monophonic retrig, monophonic legato - Additional MIDI modulation sources: mod wheel, pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch (channel), key follow - Includes 40 highly usable factory presets to get you started making music Check out our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sketchaudio Read the manuals: https://sketchaudio.com/manuals/

Screenshots

Hilda Synthesizer3 screens
Phase Monkey3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Phase Monkey at $5.99 against Hilda Synthesizer's $12.99. Hilda Synthesizer's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 71%) and ratings volume (57 vs 17). 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

Hilda Synthesizer costs $12.99 and Phase Monkey $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 — 4.9 for Hilda Synthesizer against 4.8 for Phase Monkey. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 17 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of Hilda Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 71% of Phase Monkey's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hilda Synthesizer ships an update every 9 days, Phase Monkey weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and July 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hilda Synthesizer versus Phase Monkey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHilda SynthesizerPhase Monkey
Price$12.99$5.99 — better
Rating4.9 (57 ratings) — better4.8 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings57 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosSketch Audio, LLC

Customer experience

Hilda Synthesizer

All ratings57 ratings
Positive98.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Phase Monkey

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

Hilda Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

None

Phase Monkey

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hilda Synthesizer free?
Hilda Synthesizer costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phase Monkey free?
Phase Monkey costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hilda Synthesizer or Phase Monkey?
Hilda Synthesizer is rated higher. Hilda Synthesizer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 57 ratings, while Phase Monkey averages 4.8 from 17 ratings.
Do Hilda Synthesizer or Phase Monkey have ads?
Neither Hilda Synthesizer nor Phase Monkey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hilda Synthesizer or Phase Monkey?
Hilda Synthesizer ships an update every 9 days, and Phase Monkey weekly. Most recently, Hilda Synthesizer was updated on September 23, 2026 and Phase Monkey on July 16, 2026.

Other comparisons