Comparison

ARPJAM vs Synth Box

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ARPJAM

This app generates evolving ambient music using two independent arpeggio engines. It features a generative drum machine, sound design tools, and external instrument synchronization. Save and recall your favorite musical setups.

Highlights
  • Dual arpeggio engines
  • Generative drum machine
  • Sound design controls
  • External instrument sync (Ableton Link, MIDI Clock)
  • Save and recall presets
  • Built-in timer
Features
Read full description

ARPJAM is an arpeggio synthesizer that generates ever-evolving ambient music. Layer two independent arpeggio engines, each with its own waveform, scale, and pattern, and let the app weave an endless soundscape that shifts and breathes on its own. ■ Two Arpeggio Engines ARP A and ARP B run simultaneously, each with its own mode, scale, range, waveform, filter, and envelope. Five pattern modes: Random & Chord, Repeat, Random Single, Skank, and Drone. ■ Generative Drums A probability-based drum machine. Tune the firing density, double-hit chance, and open/closed hi-hat ratio for kick, snare, and hihat to create rhythms that evolve naturally alongside the arpeggio. ■ Sound Design Four waveforms — sine, triangle, sawtooth, square. Adjust the low-pass filter, attack, and overdrive per engine. Add depth with ping-pong delay and reverb. ■ Sync with External Instruments [NEW in v1.4] Ableton Link support — wirelessly sync tempo and bar phase with Ableton Move, Live, Koala, and other Link-enabled instruments on the same Wi-Fi network. USB-C MIDI Clock reception is also supported. Sample-accurate timing alignment, with a fine-tune Offset slider for each setup. ■ Redesigned Settings Panel [v1.4] Settings are now organized into five colored sections — Oscillator, Filter, Envelope, Algorithm, and Effects. Each section collapses individually or in bulk, and the state persists between launches. Jump directly to any section via the side rail (iPad) or sticky bar (iPhone). Clear square ON/OFF switches and vivid theme colors — orange for ARP A, lime for ARP B, cyan for Drums — make the whole panel far easier to navigate. ■ Save & Recall Four start presets (Default + SAVE 1/2/3) let you recall your favorite setups with a single tap from the start screen. Presets can be exported and imported as .arpjam files to share with other ARPJAM users. ■ Built-in Timer Choose countdown or infinite mode. The timer fades out with a gentle resolving chord — perfect as a sleep timer or as a companion to meditation. • 8 scales including pentatonic modes • 12 keys (Just Intonation / Equal Temperament switchable) • Groove control for swing feel • BPM 30–200 • English / Japanese language support • Ableton Link / MIDI Clock sync

About

Synth Box

Transform your device into a versatile synthesizer with a touch-sensitive keyboard, morphing oscillators, and a resonant low-pass filter. Explore 100 presets, add real-time effects, and record your performances. Connect MIDI controllers for expanded creative possibilities.

Highlights
  • Slide-to-play keyboard with pitch/mod wheels
  • Dual morphing wavetable oscillators
  • Moog-style low-pass filter
  • 100 hand-crafted presets
  • Real-time effects (reverb, delay, bit-crusher)
  • Record and share performances
  • MIDI controller support
Features
Read full description

Synth Box turns your iPhone and iPad into a beautiful, play-anywhere synthesizer. Tap a key and it sings. Twist a knob, roll the dice, and shape the sound your way. No setup, no complicated menus. Just gorgeous sound, instantly. PLAY • A slide-to-play keyboard with glissando, plus pitch and mod wheels • Two morphing wavetable oscillators, a sub oscillator, FM and noise for huge, fat tones • A warm Moog-style low-pass filter with resonance and an LFO • ADSR envelope, octave shift and zoom for fast, expressive playing 100 PRO SOUNDS • 100 hand-crafted presets across Bass, Lead, Pad, Pluck, Keys, Brass, Arp, Bell, Organ and FX • Roll the dice for instant inspiration • Tweak any sound and save your own patches to build a personal sound library EFFECTS THAT MOVE • Lush reverb, musical delay, bit-crusher and a wide Fatten ensemble chorus • Shape space, movement and grit in real time while you play RECORD & SHARE • Capture your performance to WAV with reverb and delay tails included • Play it back and share it anywhere with a tap MIDI • Connect any USB or Bluetooth MIDI controller • Play Synth Box with external keys, wheels and knobs • Send your notes back out to other apps and gear MADE TO FEEL GOOD • Designed for iPhone and iPad • A clean light theme, plus a dark stage theme with Premium • No account and no sign-up required • No ads and no tracking • Works fully offline FREE TO PLAY. PREMIUM UNLOCKS EVERYTHING. Play the synth, shape sounds and enjoy 20 starter presets for free. Go Premium to unlock all 100 presets, recording and sharing, saving your own patches, MIDI support, the dark theme and the full-screen keyboard. Choose a monthly or yearly plan with a 3-day free trial, or unlock everything forever with a one-time Lifetime purchase. Download Synth Box and make something beautiful in the next 60 seconds. Terms of Use: https://alyakastudio.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://alyakastudio.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

ARPJAM4 screens
Synth Box4 screens

Verdict

The call

ARPJAM and Synth Box both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Synth Box's written reviews are positive against 33% of ARPJAM's. ARPJAM's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 months) and monetization model (free vs freemium). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ARPJAM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Synth Box sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ARPJAM against 5.0 for Synth Box. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of ARPJAM's written reviews are positive against 100% of Synth Box's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARPJAM ships an update daily, Synth Box every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ARPJAM versus Synth Box: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARPJAMSynth Box
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB13 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperTakashi TsunodaAlper Kahriman

Customer experience

ARPJAM

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Synth Box

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ARPJAM

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
3 purchases

Synth Box

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is ARPJAM free?
ARPJAM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Synth Box free?
Synth Box is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ARPJAM or Synth Box?
ARPJAM and Synth Box are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do ARPJAM or Synth Box have ads?
Neither ARPJAM nor Synth Box shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARPJAM or Synth Box?
ARPJAM ships an update daily, and Synth Box every 2 months. Most recently, ARPJAM was updated on October 31, 2026 and Synth Box on October 31, 2026.

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