# GridStep vs Oktopus Synthesizer

The clearest difference is rating: GridStep at 5.0 against Oktopus Synthesizer's 4.8. GridStep also leads on price ($3.99 vs $4.99). Oktopus Synthesizer's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks) and ratings volume (12 vs 3). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

GridStep costs $3.99 and Oktopus Synthesizer $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

GridStep holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 12 respectively.

GridStep ships an update every 2 weeks, Oktopus Synthesizer every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GridStep | Oktopus Synthesizer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258/reviews)** | [4.8 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oktopus-synthesizer/id6790597981/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | — | 90.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 5 MB | 111 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joe Topjian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112) | [Vyacheslav Koristov](https://appshunter.io/developer/6784900754) |

## What reviewers say

### GridStep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258)

A professional MIDI step sequencer offering a focused grid-based workflow for clear, controlled, and predictable music creation. It functions as a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin, ideal for both live performance and composition.

**Highlights:** Grid-based MIDI step sequencing, Explicit edit modes for notes, velocity, slides, and mutes, Trigger-based step advance, Controlled pattern generation, AUv3 MIDI effect plugin, Standalone app functionality

**In-app purchases:** none


### Oktopus Synthesizer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oktopus-synthesizer/id6790597981)

This powerful iOS synthesizer and AUv3 extension allows for deep sound design and music creation. Shape sounds with 8 synth blocks, combine oscillators and samples, and utilize a flexible effects chain. It functions as a standalone instrument or within compatible DAWs.

**Highlights:** 8-block synth architecture, Oscillator and sample combination, AUv3 instrument support, Sample loading and playback, Flexible effects chain, MPE and MIDI input support, Built-in spectrometer

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GridStep free?

GridStep costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Oktopus Synthesizer free?

Oktopus Synthesizer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GridStep or Oktopus Synthesizer?

GridStep is rated higher. GridStep averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Oktopus Synthesizer averages 4.8 from 12 ratings.

### Do GridStep or Oktopus Synthesizer have ads?

Neither GridStep nor Oktopus Synthesizer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GridStep or Oktopus Synthesizer?

GridStep ships an update every 2 weeks, and Oktopus Synthesizer every 5 days. Most recently, GridStep was updated on October 11, 2026 and Oktopus Synthesizer on October 16, 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.*