# Gradient Synth vs play_music_theory

The clearest difference is price: Gradient Synth at Free against play_music_theory's $1.99. play_music_theory's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and review sentiment (80% vs 63%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Gradient Synth is free to download; play_music_theory costs $1.99 up front. Gradient Synth sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and play_music_theory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

play_music_theory holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 54 and 46 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Gradient Synth's written reviews are positive against 80% of play_music_theory's.

Gradient Synth ships an update monthly, play_music_theory every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gradient Synth | play_music_theory |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (54 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradient-synth/id6477543878/reviews) | **[4.6 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-music-theory/id6800616114/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **54** | 46 |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | **79.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#1** |
| Size | 12 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apps Are Fun LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1659934806) | [TALA RAE SCHLOSSBERG](https://appshunter.io/developer/6800616116) |

## What reviewers say

### Gradient Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradient-synth/id6477543878)

Transform colors into unique sounds with this intuitive music creation app. Designed for beginners and children, it offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features to explore and customize a wide range of audio experiences.

**Highlights:** Preset Generator, Color-based sound customization, User-friendly interface, MIDI keyboard integration, Dynamic audio effects, Polyphony

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gradient Synth Supporter (Yearly) | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Presets | $19.99 | per year |
| 10 Presets | $0.99 | one-time |
| 75 Presets | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Unlock | $12.99 | one-time |


### play_music_theory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-music-theory/id6800616114)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Paid · Music, #10 Top Paid, #103 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Explore the connection between sound and shape with this visual instrument. Create music by drawing, and share your sonic creations. Designed by artist Tala Rae Schlossberg.

**Highlights:** Visual instrument, Draw to create sound, Explore sound-shape relationships, Share creations, Artist-designed

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the instrument | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gradient Synth free?

Gradient Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is play_music_theory free?

play_music_theory costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Gradient Synth or play_music_theory?

play_music_theory is rated higher. Gradient Synth averages 4.4 out of 5 from 54 ratings, while play_music_theory averages 4.6 from 46 ratings.

### Do Gradient Synth or play_music_theory have ads?

Neither Gradient Synth nor play_music_theory shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Gradient Synth or play_music_theory?

Gradient Synth ships an update monthly, and play_music_theory every 5 days. Most recently, Gradient Synth was updated on September 18, 2026 and play_music_theory on September 25, 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.*