Comparison

Pentaholic Synth vs WaveStorm

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

Head to head
About

Pentaholic Synth

This app digitally recreates a classic polyphonic synthesizer, offering authentic sound design and songwriting inspiration. It features a 300-note sequencer, multiple oscillators per voice, and performance controls like a joystick and expression pedal inputs.

Highlights
  • Authentic 5-voice polyphony
  • 3 oscillators per voice with 8 waveforms
  • Component-level circuit modeling
  • Dual ADSR envelopes
  • 300-note polyphonic sequencer
  • Joystick and expression pedal support
Features
Read full description

Pentaholic is the first digital recreation of the Gleeman Pentaphonic. It's audio signal path is traced at the component level and built specifically for Apple Silicon devices utilizing native Metal 3D graphics featuring classic and clear UI. In 1982, the Gleeman Pentaphonic was released as a "sketchpad synth" with a 300-note polyphonic sequencer boasting 5 voices, 3 digitally controlled oscillators per voice, and 8 waveforms per oscillator, all from an 8-bit microprocessor. After DAC, a trio of CEM chips per voice passes the audio: a 3310 envelope generator, 3320 configured as a 24dB low-pass resonant filter, and a 3360 as dual voltage-controlled amplifiers. Each subsequent stage of audio is summed out to a LM348 op amp, stacking saturation through to output. Add performance controls like expression pedal inputs and a joystick for modulation and pitch bend for a performance powerhouse synth. Pentaholic brings the circuit to life in the digital realm for the first time ever on any platform. The concept of a sketchpad synth was the main inspiration for this - getting back to the fundamentals of songwriting and sound design. Pentaholic is meant to inspire ideas faster and prevent Producer Paralysis induced by too many options on the piano roll. Record your idea to the sequencer and play over it - the keyboard takes precedence over the sequencer notes so you can nail down your melody or adjust your groove with the rate and delay of the sequencer. • Authentic 5-Voice Polyphony: True chorusing detune of OSC 2/3 relative to OSC 1's pitch (not BBD!) - oldest note first voice stealing. • 3 Oscillators Per Voice: 8 waveforms CMP 1 CMP 2 3% PULSE 12% Pulse SQR SAW TRI SIN per OSC and a HIGH or LOW octave mode. • One octave of chromatic pitch: transposing progressions or leads just like you put a capo on a guitar. • Component-Level Modeling: The soul of the synth - a 24dB resonant low-pass filter - self-oscillation, and nonlinear harmonic drive of the legendary CEM 3320 filter chip for a distinct bite with each subsequent gain stage pushing into saturation through a LM348 op amp. • Dual ADSR Envelopes: Precise, vintage-snappy envelope generators for exacting control over amplifier and filter contours. Subtle noise and quick snap attacks from resistor-capacitor networks the envelopes pass through. • The Polyphonic Sketchpad Sequencer: A massive 300-note sequencer honoring the original hardware workflow. Recording polyphonic chords in real time and yielding to performance on the keyboard in playback. • Joystick and expression pedal hookups: +/- 5 step pitch bend, modulation of depth of the LFO destination and cutoff expression all from the joystick even more control with expression pedals. Pentaholic honors the original but Gotham Paradise recognizes the value and convenience of advances for performance available from soft-synths, MIDI 2.0 and Bluetooth. • *MIDI Polyphonic Expression - *MIDI Learn - *6 Octave Pitch Change - *Master Volume - *Re-assignable joystick 0 to 5 steps - *Sync'd parameters for glide, sequencer rate/delay, LFO rate - *Game controller performance using scales to the directional pad and ABXY buttons, stick click sequencer recording and playback - Bluetooth MIDI controller Connectivity *Pentaholic is fully functional from download but the following features are accessible with in-app purchase *Sequencer Volume *Keyboard Volume *Master Volume *6 Octave Pitch *Unison *Sync'd Parameters *Recall or Automation of parameters when hosted in a DAW such as Logic for iPad or Garageband *User Preset Saving *MIDI Learn/MIDI CC Parameter Assignment *M.P.E. *Sequencer records and plays back but resets when stopped *MIDI export of recorded Sequences *Game Controller Performance Mode *Reassignable Joystick Pitch bend Keeping Pentaholic's core functionality free for young and new producers who can't afford the full version is important to Gotham Paradise, purchasing the full featured synth helps pay it forward.

About

WaveStorm

Features
Read full description

WaveStorm is a wavetable synthesizer and sample instrument for iPad and Mac. Design sounds in the free standalone app. An active subscription unlocks the AUv3 instrument in compatible music hosts. Build basses, leads, pads, plucks, drums and moving textures with wavetable oscillators, sub and noise sources, visual waveform editing, envelopes, LFOs, random modulation, filters and effects. Save your work in the preset browser. Bring in your own audio with the Sampler: • Import WAV samples and edit the waveform • Set Start, End, Loop In/Out and fades without changing the source file • Play one-shots or continuous, sustain and ping-pong loops; reverse playback • Place slices manually or detect them from transients or a grid, then play them from MIDI • Choose Repitch, Granular or Spectral playback and shape time and pitch The optional AI Preset Assistant turns a text idea into an editable synth preset. It creates preset settings, not audio samples. Apple Intelligence features require a compatible device with Apple Intelligence enabled. Use WaveStorm standalone for free on iPad and Mac. AUv3 requires a subscription and a compatible host. Terms of Use (EULA): https://wavestorm.app/terms

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens

Verdict

The call

Pentaholic Synth and WaveStorm are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and WaveStorm sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Pentaholic Synth versus WaveStorm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentaholic SynthWaveStorm
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPad, Mac
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew StricklandVolodymyr Murzik

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00
2 purchases

WaveStorm

Subscriptions2
  • WaveStorm Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • WaveStorm Year$96.991 Year

Questions

Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WaveStorm free?
WaveStorm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pentaholic Synth or WaveStorm have ads?
Neither Pentaholic Synth nor WaveStorm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentaholic Synth or WaveStorm?
Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, and WaveStorm every 6 days. Most recently, Pentaholic Synth was updated on October 24, 2026 and WaveStorm on October 3, 2026.

Other comparisons