Comparison

The Phil vs Marco Synth

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

Head to head
About

The Phil

This app offers a physical modeling synthesizer for creating string-like instrument sounds within your DAW. It features a built-in arpeggiator and real-time controls for shaping decay, brightness, and character, allowing for a range of acoustic to synthetic textures.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling synthesis
  • Built-in arpeggiator
  • Real-time decay, brightness, and character controls
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Low CPU usage
  • Compatible with major DAWs
Features
Read full description

Fancy a synth that actually feels like a "traditional" instrument, but still able to push things a little weirder? The Phil is a fast, expressive AUv3 plucked string synth that brings proper physical modelling to your DAW, no faffing about required. Poke it, pluck it, let it ring out, and it responds like a real string, all wrapped up in a neat little AUv3 plugin for your DAW. Tucked inside is a built in arpeggiator, designed to create "human" feeling patterns without touching a step sequencer. Add in a solid handful of controls over decay, brightness and damping, themselves with "humanize" controls to mimic how a real hand would move on a string and you can go from delicate acoustic plucks to properly synthetic, metallic textures in no time at all whilst also having the option to turn down the robot vibe if you like. What you get: Physical modelling synthesis for genuinely plucky, stringy tones Built in arpeggiator for patterns that keep things moving Real time controls to shape decay, brightness and character Full AUv3 support, slots straight into your host Light on CPU, so it won't grind your session to a halt Plays nicely with AUM, Logic Pro, Loopy Pro, Cubasis and GarageBand Whether you're building layers in the studio or winging it live, The Phil is the sort of instrument that surprises you a little every time you touch it. In a good way. Search for decibelboy83 on YouTube for a walkthrough video. Works with: AUM, Logic Pro, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, GarageBand, and any AUv3-friendly host.

About

Marco Synth

This powerful synthesizer app offers a unique dual hard sync engine with four independent oscillators. Explore a vast sonic palette with intelligent randomization and a tactile workflow designed for sound discovery. It's suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians.

Highlights
  • Dual hard sync engine
  • Four independent oscillators
  • Intelligent randomization
  • Extensive waveform and filter options
  • Master FX bus
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Built-in keyboard
Features
Read full description

Marco is a powerful 4-oscillator synth built around dual hard sync, with independent shaping on every oscillator. Randomize to spark fresh ideas, then tweak to shape them - a fast, tactile workflow made for finding your own sounds, not just recalling presets. Marco is a new kind of synthesizer built around three breakthrough ideas: • Dual Hard Sync - two parallel hard-sync chains running side by side • Four oscillators, each with its own signal shaping path • Intelligent randomization and tweak system The result is shimmering harmonics, screaming overtones, and evolving timbres no other iOS synth can give you. Whether it's your first synth or your fortieth, Marco meets you where you are. Hit the dice for an instant new sound. Cycle through every valid Dual Hard Sync combination with one tap. Or dive deep into per-oscillator sound design when you're ready. DUAL HARD SYNC • Two parallel hard-sync chains - A, B, or free per oscillator • One-tap cycling through every valid Dual Hard Sync combination • 10 Signature presets built around Dual Hard Sync FOUR INDEPENDENT OSCILLATORS • Waveforms: sine, triangle, saw, ramp, pulse, noise • Filters: LP 6/12/18/24, BP, HP, Notch, Formant • Envelopes: VCA + Filter, linear or exponential, drone mode • LFOs: filter, volume, wavefold, pitch - with phase, reset, fade and clock sync • Glide: exponential, linear, log, S-curve, legato • Master FX bus with drive, compressor, delay, reverb, stereo width and limiter • Hard sync and wavefolding • Link envelopes, filters, LFOs, glide or effects across oscillators when wanting traditional shaping • Monophonic sounds usually only possible in large modular setups INTELLIGENT RANDOMISATION • Musical preset generator - usable sounds, not chaos • Generate by style: Mild, Wild and Recipe • Target by category: Bass, Lead, Pad, Keys, FX, Drone • Tweak system for subtle, context-aware variations • One-tap dice button for instant inspiration EFFORTLESS WORKFLOW • Consistent UI across all four oscillators • Per-oscillator scopes with live visual feedback • Live LFO indicators on every modulated parameter • Expressive XY pad • Built-in keyboard on iPad standalone BUILT FOR REAL MUSIC • 100+ presets, including 10 Signature sounds • Preset import / export • Master Preset import / export • Deep MIDI: full Note + CC mapping (CC mapping AUv3 only) • Dedicated MIDI for Random Generate, Tweak, Dual Hard Sync Cycle, Scope, Preset Browser, XY Pad (AUv3 only) • Clock-synced LFOs lock to host tempo • AUv3 plugin - works in AUM, Loopy Pro, Drambo, Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis and more • Built-in song player with public domain tracks (standalone only)

Screenshots

The Phil1 screens
Marco Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: The Phil at $0.99 against Marco Synth's $4.99. On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

The Phil costs $0.99 and Marco Synth $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Phil ships an update every 9 days, Marco Synth weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
The Phil versus Marco Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe PhilMarco Synth
Price$0.99 — better$4.99
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhilip VincentGlenn Vassallo

Customer experience

The Phil

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Marco Synth

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

The Phil

No in-app purchases

None

Marco Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The Phil free?
The Phil costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Marco Synth free?
Marco Synth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do The Phil or Marco Synth have ads?
Neither The Phil nor Marco Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Phil or Marco Synth?
The Phil ships an update every 9 days, and Marco Synth weekly. Most recently, The Phil was updated on November 5, 2026 and Marco Synth on October 31, 2026.

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