Comparison

TinyTone 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

TinyTone

Create professional synth patches for music production and live performance. Design sounds in real-time with a powerful synthesizer engine, dual oscillators, and extensive modulation options. Export and import patches, and use it as an AUv3 plugin in DAWs.

Highlights
  • Powerful synthesizer engine
  • Dual oscillators with FM synthesis
  • Real-time audition with touch pads
  • External MIDI keyboard support
  • Unlimited user patch storage
  • AUv3 Audio Unit support
  • JSON export/import for patches
Features
Read full description

TinyTone is a full-featured synthesizer sound source for iPhone sound design, stage performance, and recording. Using the on-screen controllers and a MIDI keyboard, you can design and monitor professional synth patches in real time. In addition to standalone app use, ToneEditor can also be loaded as an AUv3 Audio Unit into DAWs such as GarageBand and used as a sound source. It also works as a sound editor for its sister app, TinyTone, allowing you to reproduce consistent sounds with the same sound engine. <Features> ・Powerful Synthesizer Engine Equipped with dual oscillators, envelopes, filters, modulation, delay, limiter, and more. Enables complex sound design. Dual Oscillators with FM Synthesis, switch between Mix and Chain modes for rich tonal possibilities. ・Real-Time Audition Play single notes, chords, and transposition using touch pads. Hear sound changes instantly as you adjust sliders. External input via MIDI keyboard is also supported. ・Preset Management Unlimited user patch storage. ・JSON Export / Import Export patches as JSON. Share via Files app or clipboard. ・AUv3 Support Can be embedded as an AU instrument in DAWs like GarageBand. Reproduces consistent sounds with the same synthesis engine. <How to Use> 【Standalone】 1. Select a preset or start creating from a new patch. 2. Play sounds using the test pad at the bottom of the screen; adjust parameters with sliders to confirm real-time sound changes. 3. Save your created patch to a user slot. 【Using with DAWs (GarageBand, etc.)】 1. Add TinyTone (AU) to a track. 2. Select a factory preset or saved patch from the AU preset selection screen. 3. Play the DAW keyboard to output sound. <Important> ・When using simultaneously with camera or audio apps, noise may occur depending on your environment. Please be careful with output volume. ・Listening to loud audio for extended periods can affect your hearing. When using headphones or speakers, always check your surroundings and volume level. ・Some DAWs (e.g. Ableton Live 11) may not detect iOS-app AUv3 plug-ins. Logic Pro, MainStage, and GarageBand are recommended. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://flicker-jp.com/privacy

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

TinyTone3 screens
Tonic Synths4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Tonic Synths at 3 against TinyTone's 1. Tonic Synths also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for TinyTone against 5.0 for Tonic Synths. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TinyTone ships an update weekly, Tonic Synths every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on July 5, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
TinyTone versus Tonic Synths: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTinyToneTonic Synths
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKEISUKE TONEUpTech Works, LLC

In-app purchases

None

TinyTone

No in-app purchases

None

Tonic Synths

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TinyTone free?
TinyTone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tonic Synths free?
Tonic Synths is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TinyTone or Tonic Synths?
TinyTone and Tonic Synths are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do TinyTone or Tonic Synths have ads?
Neither TinyTone nor Tonic Synths shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TinyTone or Tonic Synths?
TinyTone ships an update weekly, and Tonic Synths every 11 days. Most recently, TinyTone was updated on July 5, 2026 and Tonic Synths on September 12, 2026.

Other comparisons