Comparison

M2DX 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

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

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

M2DX4 screens
Tonic Synths4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tonic Synths at 5.0 against M2DX's 4.0. Tonic Synths also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). M2DX's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 11 days). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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. Tonic Synths asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tonic Synths holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

M2DX ships an update every 2 days, Tonic Synths every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
M2DX versus Tonic Synths: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterM2DXTonic Synths
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHakaru HiroseUpTech Works, LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

M2DX

One-time1
  • M2DX Pro Unlock$9.99
None

Tonic Synths

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is M2DX free?
M2DX 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, M2DX or Tonic Synths?
Tonic Synths is rated higher. M2DX averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Tonic Synths averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do M2DX or Tonic Synths have ads?
Neither M2DX nor Tonic Synths shows ads.
Which is updated more often, M2DX or Tonic Synths?
M2DX ships an update every 2 days, and Tonic Synths every 11 days. Most recently, M2DX was updated on October 24, 2026 and Tonic Synths on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons