# Pixelsynth vs 1981 FM

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pixelsynth at none against 1981 FM's 1. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 1981 FM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pixelsynth asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Pixelsynth against 5.0 for 1981 FM. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively.

Pixelsynth ships an update every 9 days, 1981 FM every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixelsynth | 1981 FM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelsynth-auv3-visual-synth/id6804130647/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1981-fm-80s-track-generator/id6805325447/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 8 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [de Bastion, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871510214) | [Soft Brew Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/561703410) |

## What reviewers say

### Pixelsynth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelsynth-auv3-visual-synth/id6804130647)

This app transforms musical input into a vibrant visual experience, allowing users to see and shape their sound in real-time. It offers a playful and immediate way to create music, with all controls and feedback displayed on a single screen. Designed by a Deaf musician, it prioritizes visual feedback as an integral part of the instrument.

**Highlights:** Real-time visual sound shaping, Interactive 16-pad grid, Adjustable waveforms, filters, and envelopes, LFO, delay, and reverb effects, AUv3 instrument compatibility, Offline functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### 1981 FM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1981-fm-80s-track-generator/id6805325447)

This app generates complete, unique musical tracks using chaotic mathematical principles. It offers various styles, modes, and keys, with customizable FM synth sounds and effects. Tracks can be recreated using seeds and exported via MIDI.

**Highlights:** Chaos-driven track generation, Four-operator FM synth engine, Multiple musical styles and modes, MIDI export and input, Customizable effects (chorus, delay, reverb), Offline functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AUv3 Unlock | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixelsynth free?

Pixelsynth is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is 1981 FM free?

1981 FM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pixelsynth or 1981 FM?

Pixelsynth and 1981 FM are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do Pixelsynth or 1981 FM have ads?

Neither Pixelsynth nor 1981 FM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pixelsynth or 1981 FM?

Pixelsynth ships an update every 9 days, and 1981 FM every 2 weeks. Most recently, Pixelsynth was updated on October 24, 2026 and 1981 FM on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*