Comparison

TinyRiff 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

TinyRiff

Features
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TinyRiff is a performance pad app for triggering chords, backing patterns, and layered sampler performances from a single pad—ideal for practice, songwriting, and live performance. (The app has been renamed from TinyTone to TinyRiff as of version 1.5) Use TinyRIff as a MIDI pad for GarageBand, synthesizers, electric pianos, samplers, and other MIDI gear. With the built-in “TinyTone” sound engine, you can also play instantly without any external devices or MIDI connections. TinyTone can also be used as a chord input pad within Mac DAW environments. Chords can be entered not only from external MIDI input, but also directly on the app screen. Up to four key transpose settings (key shift / octave shift) can be stored within a single pad set, allowing you to switch chord arrangements for intros, verses, choruses, outros, and other musical sections from the same pad layout. TinyRIff can also load sound data created with the separate “TinyTone” app, allowing you to use original sounds directly inside TinyRIff. With TinyRIff Yearly (annual subscription), you can save, share, and import up to 100 pad layout sets. The free version supports saving up to 5 sets. [Added in version 1.5] New “Riff-Pattern” and “Step Sequencer” modes have been added. • Riff Pattern: Freely assign notes across 16 steps, including upper, middle, and lower notes within a chord. TIE input is also supported. • Step Sequencer: Create 16-step patterns with support for ties and rests. • Each mode includes 4 slots that can be switched during performance. • Supports real-time performance together with slider control and transpose. • Created patterns can be imported and exported together with pad presets, and shared via AirDrop. Improved MIDI connectivity with GarageBand and AUM. • To use GarageBand or AUM, select "VIRTUAL MIDI" as the MIDI output. • "VIRTUAL MIDI" sends MIDI data to all connected host apps. When using GarageBand and AUM simultaneously, disable TinyRiff MIDI input on the host you do not want to control.

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

TinyRiff2 screens
Tonic Synths4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tonic Synths at none against TinyRiff's 1. Tonic Synths also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). TinyRiff's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 11 days). On price, ads 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. TinyRiff sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Tonic Synths asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TinyRiff ships an update every 3 days, Tonic Synths every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
TinyRiff versus Tonic Synths: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTinyRiffTonic Synths
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKEISUKE TONEUpTech Works, LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TinyRiff

Subscriptions1
  • JPad Yearly1 Month trial$4.991 Year
None

Tonic Synths

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TinyRiff free?
TinyRiff is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tonic Synths free?
Tonic Synths is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do TinyRiff or Tonic Synths have ads?
Neither TinyRiff nor Tonic Synths shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TinyRiff or Tonic Synths?
TinyRiff ships an update every 3 days, and Tonic Synths every 11 days. Most recently, TinyRiff was updated on November 5, 2026 and Tonic Synths on October 31, 2026.

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