Patchsynth vs Magnio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
Patchsynth
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Patchsynth is a Eurorack-style modular synthesizer for iPhone and iPad ā and a place to actually learn how modular synthesis works, one patch cable at a time. Instead of a fixed synth engine with knobs, you build your own instrument by dragging cables between modules: oscillators into filters, envelopes into amplifiers, LFOs wobbling anything you point them at. If you've ever wanted to understand what a Eurorack rig actually does, this is the fastest way in. LEARN BY PATCHING, NOT BY READING 28 hands-on Lessons cover every module, from your first oscillator to full generative patches ā some just explain, others build a real patch step-by-step in front of you as you tap "Next." No prior synthesis knowledge required. TRAIN YOUR EAR 15 Challenges hide a patch and play it for you ā your job is to rebuild it by ear, with hints if you get stuck. A genuinely fun way to internalize how filters, envelopes, and modulation actually sound. 21 REAL MODULES Oscillator Ā· Filter Ā· VCA Ā· ADSR Envelope Ā· LFO Ā· Noise Ā· Delay Ā· Reverb Ā· Mixer Ā· Sequencer Ā· Arpeggiator Ā· Clock Ā· Attenuverter Ā· Quantizer Ā· Slew Limiter Ā· Sample & Hold Ā· Logic Ā· Ring Modulator Ā· Sampler Ā· Keyboard Ā· Output (with a live oscilloscope) Record your own sounds with the Sampler, or use the built-in factory drum kit. Quantize any CV to a musical scale. Chain multiple clocks for polyrhythms. It's a real modular rig, just without the cables costing $30 each. 70+ FACTORY PATCHES From simple bass and pad sounds to sprawling, 20+ module "flagship" patches ā browse them, load them, take them apart to see how they're wired, then make them your own. PLAY IT WITH REAL GEAR Full MIDI support over Bluetooth or USB ā plug in any MIDI keyboard or controller and play your patch's Keyboard module directly, no setup beyond pairing. BUILT FOR TOUCH, NOT PORTED FROM DESKTOP Every interaction ā dragging cables, turning knobs, panning and zooming a big patch ā is designed for a phone screen from the ground up. A dedicated Patch Bay view even gives you a spreadsheet-style matrix of every connection when patches get complex. Undo and redo everything. Save as many patches as you like. No ads, no in-app purchases, no internet connection required ā just synthesis.
Magnio
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Where magnetism meets melody. Magnio turns the iPhone already in your hand into a living instrument. Held sideways like a game controller, it answers to your hands: touch the screen to wake the sound, then tilt, swipe, and push to give the music its shape. PLAY WITH MOVEMENT ⢠Tilt the phone up and down to move through notes. ⢠Flick your playing thumb sideways to bend a note into its neighbour. ⢠Push the phone away from its centre to open the sound. CATCH THE VIBE Tap Vibe and Magnio listens to the room. Within seconds it finds the key of whatever is playing ā a record, a jam, a friend at the piano ā and tunes itself to it. Your very first note already belongs. No theory, no menus, no guessing what key you are in. BUILD A PULSE Choose a scale and octave. Add bass, arp, kick, and offbeat hat. Shape two-bar patterns, tap the tempo, and let sidechain make the sound breathe. RECORD AND SHARE One round button records what Magnio itself is playing ā never the microphone, never the room. Recordings are named by date, and you can rename, play, share, or delete them from the list. MAKE IT YOURS Choose right- or left-handed playing; the whole instrument turns with you, so you simply flip the phone. Calibrate each gesture, tune the response, and arrange your performance surface ā place the controls where your thumb wants them. GO FURTHER WHEN YOU WANT Play Magnio's own voice, send MIDI to another app on your iPhone, connect to a Mac over USB, or use BLE MIDI with a compatible Mac or iPad app. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account. No ads. No analytics. No tracking. Vibe listens on device; audio is never saved or uploaded. Your settings stay on your device. Magnio is free. Every sound, gesture, and MIDI route is available. There are no subscriptions and no in-app purchases. The instrument was already with you. Now play it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Magnio at Free against Patchsynth's $7.99. Magnio also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS
Magnio is free to download; Patchsynth costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | Patchsynth | Magnio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free ā better |
| Update frequency | ā | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod ā better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 ā better |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Martin Adler | Erhan Olgunelma |
In-app purchases
Patchsynth
No in-app purchases
Magnio
No in-app purchases









