# Retro Synth vs PocketMonitor

The clearest difference is rating: PocketMonitor at 5.0 against Retro Synth's 4.2. PocketMonitor also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Retro Synth's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Retro Synth sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and PocketMonitor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PocketMonitor holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Retro Synth has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Retro Synth ships an update every 2 months, PocketMonitor every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Synth | PocketMonitor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-synth-syntophone/id6754520378/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketmonitor/id6760917540/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 14 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kerem ERSU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1759709233) | [Jake Phillips](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886787904) |

## 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 |


### PocketMonitor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketmonitor/id6760917540)

Stream your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) audio to your phone in real-time over Wi-Fi. Monitor your mix on a mobile device while you work, adjust output volume, and switch between audio sources with ease. Requires a companion sender plugin for your computer.

**Highlights:** Real-time audio streaming, Wi-Fi connection to desktop sender, Monitor signal activity, Adjust output volume, Switch between audio sources, Requires desktop sender plugin

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PocketMonitor Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| PocketMonitor Pro | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Synth free?

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

### Is PocketMonitor free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Retro Synth or PocketMonitor?

PocketMonitor is rated higher. Retro Synth averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while PocketMonitor averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Retro Synth or PocketMonitor have ads?

Neither Retro Synth nor PocketMonitor shows ads.

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

Retro Synth ships an update every 2 months, and PocketMonitor every 6 weeks. Most recently, Retro Synth was updated on October 17, 2026 and PocketMonitor on October 14, 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.*