# Retro Synth vs DropPad

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DropPad at none against Retro Synth's 3. DropPad also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Retro Synth sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. DropPad asks for nothing beyond the download.

Retro Synth ships an update every 2 months, DropPad daily. Both last shipped on November 9, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Synth | DropPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-synth-syntophone/id6754520378/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **5** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 14 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kerem ERSU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1759709233) | [Ark-Networks](https://appshunter.io/developer/1858861303) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-synth-syntophone/id6754520378)

Create authentic retro music with this vintage-inspired synthesizer app. Explore sound design with tone controls and vibrato, or upgrade for premium waveforms and studio effects. Designed for instant musical creativity, it offers a portable music-making experience.

**Highlights:** Authentic vintage sound recreation, Tone control for sound shaping, Vibrato effect for musical expression, Zero latency real-time response, Premium waveforms (Sine, Sawtooth, Triangle), Studio effects (Reverb, Delay), MIDI export

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Remove ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### DropPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/droppad/id6758306432)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Synth free?

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

### Is DropPad free?

DropPad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Retro Synth or DropPad have ads?

Neither Retro Synth nor DropPad shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Retro Synth or DropPad?

Retro Synth ships an update every 2 months, and DropPad daily. Most recently, Retro Synth was updated on November 9, 2026 and DropPad on November 9, 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.*