Comparison

Marco Synth vs Fishtail

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

Head to head
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)

About

Fishtail

This app generates complete musical forms using algorithmic composition based on music theory. Users can shape, perform, and rearrange these compositions, routing seven musical channels to their chosen instruments via MIDI. It offers extensive control over keys, modes, and expressive elements.

Highlights
  • Algorithmic music generation
  • Multi-section compositions
  • Seven-channel MIDI output
  • Retain, reorder, and perform Takes
  • Multiple intonation systems
  • AUv3 MIDI plug-in support
  • Ableton Link integration
Features
Read full description

Fishtail is a generative MIDI instrument for iPhone and iPad. It composes complete musical forms, then lets you shape, perform, retain and rearrange them! Explore six composers, including Lumière’s evolving modal colour and Ritual Engine’s rhythmic energy. Roll D7 for a shaped recipe, then Generate and edit it. Fishtail does not use AI to generate music. Its musical output is created through algorhythmic generation grounded in musical theory. Build pieces from sections with independent keys, modes, meters, cadences and expressive treatments. Generate distinct Takes, compare them, reorder them and hand the next Take over at a natural whole-piece boundary. Fishtail produces MIDI rather than sound. Use it standalone or as an AUv3 MIDI plug-in, and route its seven musical channels to the instruments you choose. Ableton Link supports shared tempo and transport. Features: • Complete multi-section generative compositions • Seven-channel MIDI output • Retain, reorder and perform Takes • Seven intonation systems • Normal MIDI, pitch-bend and MPE output • MTS output • Ableton Link • .fishtail project save and recall • Standard MIDI and per-channel export • Experimental analogue CV file packages • Accessible light and dark interfaces No account, advertising, analytics or tracking. Tested in AUM

Screenshots

Marco Synth4 screens
Fishtail3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Marco Synth at 100% against Fishtail's 50%. Marco Synth also leads on price ($4.99 vs $14.99) and rating (5.0 vs 4.3). Fishtail's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

Marco Synth costs $4.99 and Fishtail $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Marco Synth holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Marco Synth's written reviews are positive against 50% of Fishtail's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Marco Synth ships an update weekly, Fishtail every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Marco Synth versus Fishtail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarco SynthFishtail
Price$4.99 — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings46 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGlenn VassalloAMY NICOLA MCBRIDE

Customer experience

Marco Synth

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

Fishtail

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Marco Synth

No in-app purchases

None

Fishtail

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Marco Synth free?
Marco Synth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fishtail free?
Fishtail costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Marco Synth or Fishtail?
Marco Synth is rated higher. Marco Synth averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Fishtail averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Marco Synth or Fishtail have ads?
Neither Marco Synth nor Fishtail shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Marco Synth or Fishtail?
Marco Synth ships an update weekly, and Fishtail every 3 days. Most recently, Marco Synth was updated on October 24, 2026 and Fishtail on October 24, 2026.

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