Comparison

StringLab vs ANALOGyXS

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

Head to head
About

StringLab

This app is a digital synthesizer that uses physical string modeling to recreate the sounds of various instruments, particularly plucked or hammered strings. It allows users to explore acoustic physics and create unique instrument textures through extensive parameter experimentation.

Highlights
  • Karplus-Strong physical modeling
  • Exciter Impact and Noise modes
  • Resonator objects with feedback
  • Frequency Dispersion support
  • External live input
  • Preset randomizer and manager
  • Drag & Drop preset export
Read full description

StringLab is a physical string modeling synthesizer based on Karplus-Strong theory. It is capable of reproducing the sounds of many different types of instruments, but is especially useful in the reproduction of hammered or plucked strings and other types of percussive instruments. It works by passing carefully crafted waveforms and short bursts of white noise through a series of tuned delay lines. The delay lines have an internal feedback loop with a series of filters to mimic the natural decay of harmonics found in a real instrument. StringLab allows you to discover the character of real-world accoustics, exploring the physics of how materials interact. Many new and original textures are born out of experimenting with the settings, so don't be afraid to experiment and create your own unique and dynamic instruments. Features •Karplus Strong based physical modeling. •Exciter Impact with multiple modes. •Exciter Noise with many envelope driven filters. •2 resonator objects with feedback. •8 bands per object with inversion. •4 Coupling modes. •Supports Frequency Dispersion. •Feedback low/high Damping. •Per object Body Filter. •Pitch Deformity. •External live input mode. •Preset randomiser. •Build it Preset Manager & Favourites. •Search Presets. •Drag & Drop preset export of presets. •Supports Color Sets.

About

ANALOGyXS

This compact virtual analog synthesizer offers an 8-voice polyphonic sound with a retro feel. It's designed for quick sound dialing and to be less intimidating than complex synths, suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians.

Highlights
  • 8-voice polyphonic virtual analog synthesizer
  • Retro sound design
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
  • Standalone operation
  • MIDI device input
  • Simplified parameter interface
Read full description

ANALOGyXS Mini Poly Synth (AUv3) ANALOGyXS is a virtual instrument plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host such as Logic Pro or GarageBand. Please note that the standalone version does not include a built-in keyboard - you need to connect a suitable MIDI device to play the synth. Overview ANALOGyXS (analog-ee ex ess) is a compact virtual analog 8-voice polyphonic synthesiser with a retro vibe. The synth might be "extra small" in terms of features, but it's capable of producing some fairly complex sounds normally associated with plugins with dozens of parameters. That's because there's actually quite a lot going on "under the hood" of ANALOGyXS. So why make something so simple? I wanted to create something that would allow me to quickly dial-in some of my all-time favourite synth sounds. I also wanted to create something for music-makers who might feel intimidated or overwhelmed with synth plugins with dozens of parameters and 100's of presets. Alternatively, more experienced musicians might like to drop ANALOGyXS into a track just to get something going with a view to replacing it with something more fancy further down the line. I hope that wherever you are in your musical journey, you find ANALOGyXS useful and inspiring! www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson

Screenshots

StringLab4 screens
ANALOGyXS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ANALOGyXS at $2.99 against StringLab's $14.99. ANALOGyXS also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 57%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.3). On ratings volume, 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

StringLab costs $14.99 and ANALOGyXS $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ANALOGyXS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of StringLab's written reviews are positive against 100% of ANALOGyXS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StringLab ships an update every 10 days, ANALOGyXS every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
StringLab versus ANALOGyXS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStringLabANALOGyXS
Price$14.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.3 (14 ratings)4.9 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1416 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer4Pockets.comRob Jackson

Customer experience

StringLab

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

ANALOGyXS

All ratings16 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

StringLab

No in-app purchases

None

ANALOGyXS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StringLab free?
StringLab costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ANALOGyXS free?
ANALOGyXS costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StringLab or ANALOGyXS?
ANALOGyXS is rated higher. StringLab averages 4.3 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while ANALOGyXS averages 4.9 from 16 ratings.
Do StringLab or ANALOGyXS have ads?
Neither StringLab nor ANALOGyXS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StringLab or ANALOGyXS?
StringLab ships an update every 10 days, and ANALOGyXS every 8 days. Most recently, StringLab was updated on September 21, 2026 and ANALOGyXS on August 14, 2026.

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