Comparison

M2DX vs PocketTone

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

Head to head
About

M2DX

Create music with a powerful 6-operator FM synthesizer. Explore hand-crafted presets or import classic DX7 banks. Use the on-screen keyboard or connect MIDI controllers for a versatile music-making experience.

Highlights
  • 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesis
  • On-screen keyboard with velocity control
  • DX7-format .syx bank import
  • 6-stage FX chain
  • AUv3 plug-in support
  • Native MIDI 2.0 support
Features
Read full description

M2DX is a 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesizer for iPhone, built from the ground up in pure Swift 6. Open it and play immediately — tap the built-in on-screen keyboard and start making sound with M2DX's own hand-crafted presets. No external hardware or MIDI controller is required. The FM engine is a bit-exact port of the open-source Dexed / msfa DSP, verified sample-for-sample against the reference. It is also compatible with the classic DX7 patch format: bring your own DX7-format .syx banks and play them alongside M2DX's originals. KEY FEATURES - Built-in on-screen keyboard with velocity and octave control — play standalone, no hardware needed - 6-operator, 32-algorithm DX7-style FM synthesis - M2DX's own original FM presets, plus DX7-format .syx bank import (bring your own) - A 6-stage FX chain: EQ, Drive, Chorus, Reverb, Stereo, Maximizer - Low-latency audio with AVAudioSourceNode direct rendering - AUv3 plug-in — use M2DX as an Audio Unit (AUv3) in compatible hosts OPTIONAL MIDI (not required to use the app) - Connect any MIDI controller over Bluetooth or USB if you have one - Native MIDI 2.0 — UMP with 16-bit velocity and 32-bit controllers - MIDI-CI Property Exchange — patch names appear on compatible controllers (for example, KORG KeyStage) - MIDI Learn for hands-on control MIDI 2.0 done natively, classic FM done faithfully. The FM engine is built on Dexed / msfa (Apache License 2.0). M2DX is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Yamaha Corporation. DX7 and Yamaha are trademarks of Yamaha Corporation. iOS 18 or later.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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)
Features
Read full description

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

M2DX4 screens
PocketTone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: M2DX at 4.0 against PocketTone's 2.0. M2DX also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (25% vs 0%). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. M2DX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PocketTone sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

M2DX holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of M2DX's written reviews are positive against 0% of PocketTone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

M2DX ships an update every 2 days, PocketTone every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
M2DX versus PocketTone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterM2DXPocketTone
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHakaru HiroseChih Han Lin

Customer experience

M2DX

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral75.0%
Negative0.0%

PocketTone

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

M2DX

One-time1
  • M2DX Pro Unlock$9.99
1 purchases

PocketTone

One-time1
  • PocketTone Pro$3.99

Questions

Is M2DX free?
M2DX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PocketTone free?
PocketTone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, M2DX or PocketTone?
M2DX is rated higher. M2DX averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while PocketTone averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do M2DX or PocketTone have ads?
Neither M2DX nor PocketTone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, M2DX or PocketTone?
M2DX ships an update every 2 days, and PocketTone every 2 months. Most recently, M2DX was updated on November 5, 2026 and PocketTone on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons