Comparison

ARPJAM vs Tonic Synths

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

Tonic Synths

This app offers a portable music studio with 14 unique synthesizers for creating and sculpting audio. Users can draw sounds, program melodies, and apply effects like reverb and compression. Recordings can be exported as WAV files for use in other projects.

Highlights
  • 14 unique synthesizers
  • XY pad sound sculpting
  • 8-step melody programming
  • Resonant filter sculpting
  • Reverb and compressor effects
  • 60-second audio recording
  • WAV file export
Features
Read full description

Tonic Synth puts a studio full of synthesizers in your pocket. 14 unique synths. All live. All real. Draw sound with your finger on the XY pad. Twist an FM drone into alien textures. Program an 8-step melody. Sculpt noise through resonant filters. Drown everything in reverb. Every control changes the sound instantly — no presets, no menus, just your hands on the instrument. Hear something you love? Hit record. You get 60 seconds. Export it as a WAV file and take it anywhere — into your DAW, your sample library, or share it straight from the app. SYNTHS INCLUDE - FM Drone - XY Speed Pad - Delay Sequencer - Step Sequencer - Filtered Noise - Reverb - Compressor - Bandlimited Oscillator - Sine Sum - Stereo Delay - and more! Free. No ads. No in-app purchases. Just sound.

Screenshots

ARPJAM4 screens
Tonic Synths4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tonic Synths at none against ARPJAM's 1. ARPJAM's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 11 days). 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. Tonic Synths asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 Tonic Synths. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARPJAM ships an update daily, Tonic Synths every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ARPJAM versus Tonic Synths: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARPJAMTonic Synths
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakashi TsunodaUpTech Works, LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ARPJAM

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
None

Tonic Synths

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ARPJAM free?
ARPJAM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tonic Synths free?
Tonic Synths is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ARPJAM or Tonic Synths?
ARPJAM and Tonic Synths are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do ARPJAM or Tonic Synths have ads?
Neither ARPJAM nor Tonic Synths shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARPJAM or Tonic Synths?
ARPJAM ships an update daily, and Tonic Synths every 11 days. Most recently, ARPJAM was updated on October 31, 2026 and Tonic Synths on October 31, 2026.

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