EduSynth vs PocketTone
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EduSynth
Explore the world of subtractive synthesis with an interactive educational tool. Learn about oscillators, filters, and envelopes through hands-on experimentation and guided lessons. Connect MIDI controllers or use your keyboard to play and create sounds.
- Interactive subtractive synthesis engine
- Three oscillators with multiple waveforms
- Classic Moog-style ladder filter
- Dual ADSR envelopes
- Built-in learning modules
- MIDI controller support
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EduSynth is an educational synthesizer for iOS and macOS that teaches you the fundamentals of subtractive synthesis — by letting you play one. Built around a real-time C++ DSP engine modeled after the classic Moog architecture, EduSynth gives you three oscillators, a 24dB/octave ladder filter, dual ADSR envelopes, an LFO, and a mixer — all with a clean, intuitive interface designed for learning. PLAY & EXPLORE • Three oscillators with saw, square, triangle, and sine waveforms • Classic Moog ladder low-pass filter with resonance and self-oscillation • Separate filter and amplitude ADSR envelopes • LFO with multiple shapes and modulation targets (pitch, filter, amplitude, PWM) • Portamento with off, on, and legato modes • 10+ factory presets to get you started instantly LEARN AS YOU GO • Built-in Learn window with chapters covering signal flow, oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFO, and more • Interactive info popovers on every section explaining what each knob does • Visual signal flow strip showing how sound moves through the synth • Chapters on digital audio fundamentals and real-time audio programming CONNECT & PERFORM • Full MIDI support — connect any MIDI controller • MIDI settings window with per-device enable/disable and live activity monitor • Computer keyboard input — play notes without any hardware • Autoplay mode with selectable demo melodies DESIGNED FOR LEARNING EduSynth is perfect for music production students, audio programming enthusiasts, sound design beginners, and anyone curious about how synthesizers actually work. Every parameter is explained in plain language, and the Learn window goes deeper into the theory and code behind the sound. Available in English and Italian.
PocketTone
This app recreates the experience of a hand-drawn, retro pocket synthesizer. It features a vintage LCD display, slide switches, and chunky buttons, allowing users to play various retro voices, program custom sounds, and jam along to built-in rhythms. Users can also record and share their musical creations.
- Five retro voices (Piano, Flute, Violin, Fantasy, Guitar)
- Program custom synth voices
- Ten built-in rhythms
- Sound shaping controls (octave, volume, balance)
- Tape-style Delay and lo-fi Crush effects
- Record and share audio
- Melody memory (Auto-Play, One-Key play)
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PocketTone is a hand-drawn, retro pocket synthesizer you can play anywhere. Tap the keys and a tiny lo-fi synth comes to life — complete with a green LCD, slide switches and chunky buttons, all lovingly hand-drawn. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Play five retro voices — Piano, Flute, Violin, Fantasy and Guitar. • Program your own voice the way the original did it — an eight-digit code typed on the calculator keys: waveform, envelope, vibrato, tremolo. • Jam over ten built-in rhythms — March, Rock, Bossa, Samba and more. • Shape the sound with octave, volume and a melody/rhythm balance. • Add tape-style Delay and lo-fi Crush effects. • Record what you play and share the audio with anyone. • Use the melody memory — Auto-Play, One-Key play and a built-in demo tune. • Flip to calculator mode… then play the keypad as a melody. The classic pocket-toy party trick, faithfully recreated. POCKETTONE PRO A single one-time purchase unlocks everything: all voices, all rhythms, recording & sharing, the melody memory, and the effects. No subscription — yours forever. Made as a love letter to the pocket musical toys of the 80s.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: EduSynth at 100% against PocketTone's 0%. EduSynth also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. PocketTone sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. EduSynth asks for nothing beyond the download.
EduSynth holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of EduSynth's written reviews are positive against 0% of PocketTone's.
| Parameter | EduSynth | PocketTone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | — | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Davide Fiorino | Chih Han Lin |
Customer experience
EduSynth
PocketTone
In-app purchases
EduSynth
No in-app purchases
PocketTone
- PocketTone Pro$3.99








