Comparison

microTERA vs WoodSynth

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

Head to head
About

microTERA

Explore unique sonic textures with this waveshaping synthesizer. Generate novel sound patches randomly or program them with detailed controls. Includes a variety of built-in effects and advanced sequencing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Waveshaper with user programmable shape
  • Random sound patch generation
  • Sequencer with programmable steps
  • Built-in effects (Chorus, Phaser, Reverb, etc.)
  • Over 150 factory sounds
  • Audiobus and Ableton Link compatible
Read full description

Waveshaping Synthesis is a type of distortion synthesis that can create dynamic spectra in a controlled way. In waveshaping, it is possible to change the spectrum with the amplitude of the sound. A simple example of this method is the clipping caused by overdriving an audio amplifier. These simple method creates an astonishing variety of sounds which are very unique and can't be reproduced by any other contemporary synth! microTERA gives you also a method of getting randomly generated sound patches in a way you never experienced before: roll the dice! Every single try gives you a new unique sound patch, really every try, promised… Waveshaping Synthesis • Wavehaper with user programmable shape • Spectral shape specification • Three sine oscillators • Feedback input for noise components • 4 Low frequency oscillators • 4 Envelopes with tempo sync • 64 time/level segments per envelope • Monophonic or polyphonic with 16 voices. • Over 150 factory sounds • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Effects • Chorus • Phaser • Distortion (Tape/Tube/...) • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus compatible (Input slot) with state saving • Support for Ableton Link. • Inter App Audio compatible. • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Upload to SoundCloud and File Export. • Audio pasteboard.

About

WoodSynth

This powerful synthesizer app offers four independent layers, each with its own sound engine, filters, and envelopes. Create complex sounds using VCOs, samples, or wavetables, and control them with a polyphonic touch bar and MPE support. It functions as a standalone app or a plugin within a DAW.

Highlights
  • Four independent synthesizer layers
  • VCOs, samples, and wavetable sources
  • Polyphonic touch bar with pitch bending
  • MPE and MIDI V2 support
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone app
  • 16-step sequencers per layer
  • Advanced modulation options
Features
Read full description

WoodSynth is a synthesizer with 4 independent layers. Each layer is in fact a synthesizer on its own. Each layer has 3 VCO’s plus a samples or wavetable based source, coming from a file or from recording the audio track. Up to 16 voices can be set per layer. Layers can be used in parallel, assigned to a region of the keyboard or used in a sequential mode where the first note(s) on are played by layer 1 and the next note(s) by layer 2 and so on. This last mode allows to have a different sound per note played (and independent from a keyboard region). WoodSynth has a polyphonic pitch-bending touch bar which also displays notes received from a keyboard. Each layer has its own filter and envelope with ADSR per voice, a pitch shifting envelope per VCO, a delay, a basic reverb, a modulator LFO per VCO, 2 general LFO’s and a 16 steps sequencer. Key tracking can be applied on the ADSR attack and release, on the filter cutoff and on the VCO modulation. The app can be used stand-alone (device audio input and output) or as a plugin in a DAW. - IOS plugin type : AUv3 and stand-alone app.
 - Has 4 independent synthesizers, each with up to 16 voices.
 - Supports MPE and Midi V2. - Has a polyphonic touch bar with polyphonic pitch bending.
 - Velocity, channel pressure, (polyphonic) aftertouch, CC74 can be used to modulate several synth parameters.
 - VCO’s have the usual waveforms (sine, saw, square, triangle, pulse and noise) and can be modulated in various ways (FM, AM, Pulse Width, Slew rate)
 - Samples can be recorded from the audio input/track or loaded from file (sample files should be in the WoodSynth iCloud folder)
 - Wavetables can be loaded from file or converted from loaded or recorded samples.
 - Each voice has a 4-pole Moog Lowpass filter with resonance and ADSR envelope.
 - An offset can be set in the Filter cutoff for the R channel to create a stereo effect.
 - Each voice has a pitch shifting ADSR envelope which can be independently enabled for each VCO.
 - Has Key tracking for VCO pan, Filter cutoff, ADSR Envelope Attack and Release.
 - Each layer has a delay unit (which can be separately panned) and a basic reverb.
 - Each layer has a 16 steps sequencer which can run on multiple voices (poly mode).
 - Each layer can set the midi channel and range of receiving midi notes (which allows for up to 4 split keyboard regions).
 - Layers can be set in sequential mode : first note(s) played on layer1, next note(s) on layer2, etc. - Layers have an additional high-pass filter saturation and crush control.
 - Synth audio and delay can be panned independently.
 - The 2 general LFO’s can have their source from the samples or wavetables (or track input).
 - Supports Ableton Link to sync tempo and start-stop.
 - Has 4 User Control rotaries which can be freely assigned.
 - The User Controls can be controlled by a midi CC which can be set or learned.
 - Presets can be stored in iCloud Drive (makes them available on all your devices). - Supports CV out and Sequencer Midi out.

Screenshots

WoodSynth1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: microTERA at $1.99 against WoodSynth's $15.99. microTERA also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (81% vs 60%). WoodSynth's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On 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

microTERA costs $1.99 and WoodSynth $15.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

microTERA holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of microTERA's written reviews are positive against 60% of WoodSynth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

microTERA ships an update every 4 months, WoodSynth every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on September 17, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
microTERA versus WoodSynth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroTERAWoodSynth
Price$1.99 — better$15.99
Rating4.9 (8 ratings) — better4.0 (27 ratings)
Positive reviews81.0% of reviews — better60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings827 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB203 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsWoodman's Immaculate Maple Syrup Studio

Customer experience

microTERA

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative4.8%

WoodSynth

All ratings27 ratings
Positive74.1%
Neutral3.7%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

microTERA

No in-app purchases

None

WoodSynth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is microTERA free?
microTERA costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is WoodSynth free?
WoodSynth costs $15.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, microTERA or WoodSynth?
microTERA is rated higher. microTERA averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while WoodSynth averages 4.0 from 27 ratings.
Do microTERA or WoodSynth have ads?
Neither microTERA nor WoodSynth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, microTERA or WoodSynth?
microTERA ships an update every 4 months, and WoodSynth every 5 weeks. Most recently, microTERA was updated on September 17, 2026 and WoodSynth on September 17, 2026.

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