Comparison

BeatHawk vs SynthMaster One

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

Head to head
About

BeatHawk

Create, record, and mix music on the go with this portable production studio. It offers a vast library of sounds, instruments, and effects, allowing you to import your own samples and collaborate with other apps. Export your creations in various formats or share them directly to social media.

Highlights
  • Create beats and compose tracks
  • Sample, record, and sequence music
  • Mix and arrange your own music
  • High-quality UVI sounds and effects
  • Import your own samples
  • Export mixes, stems, and MIDI
  • Share on YouTube and SoundCloud
Features
Read full description

Portable Music Production Studio : create beats, compose whole tracks, sample, record, sequence, perform, mix and arrange your own music! » Packed with high-quality UVI sounds, instruments and effects » Use included UVI sounds, your own samples, or high-quality expansion packs » Use with other Apps that support Ableton Link. Audiobus, AudioCopy and AudioUnits » Export your mixes, stems, MIDI tracks or as Ableton Live project files » Share with your friends on YouTube or SoundCloud » Get your ideas out quickly, efficiently and sounding great no matter where you are! STUDIO GRADE » Designed to put professional quality UVI software into a lightweight and fun performance-oriented package » Delivers extreme sonic fidelity rivaling desktop products » Power, speed and flexibility make for ultimate ease-of-use » Ensures fast, intuitive and professional quality music production SOUNDS » Including 2 factory sound packs with 2,000+ samples, 290 presets and dozens of loops » Import your own sounds (support for MP3, WAV, AIF, FLAC, and M4A) » Record using built-in mic, line-in or external devices » Edit and tweak sounds with high-quality effects and ADSR envelopes » Integrated sound expansion store (Acoustic Grand, Atlanta Urban, Funk, Brass Riffs, Asia, World Percussions, Vintage Blues Guitar, Electric Organs, Electro Pop, and much more…) CONNECTIVITY » Ableton Link, Inter-App Audio, Audio Unit v3 Plugin, Audiobus and AudioCopy support » Transfer files via. iCloud, Google Drive, DropBox or OneDrive » Paste audio directly to pads with AudioCopy » External keyboard and MIDI-over-LAN support via CoreMIDI » Jam with multiple devices using WIST Sync over Bluetooth » Export stereo mix, stems, MIDI tracks or Ableton Live project file (file format: 44.1kHz 24-bit WAV) » Share your music on SoundCloud and YouTube FEATURES » 16 track sequencer with up to 16 patterns per part » Pad, keyboard and pattern performance modes » High-quality pitch and time stretching » Numerous scales playable in Pitch mode » Step Editor mode with Note and CC » Record using built-in mic, line-in or external devices » Edit and tweak sounds with high-quality effects and ADSR envelopes » Choke groups and One-Shot sample modes » Bind parameters to MIDI CC with MIDI Learn » Perform and record arrangements in realtime SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS » iOS 9.3+ » iPad 4 or newer » iPhone 5 or newer (iPhone 6 or newer recommended) » 1.7 GB of disk space www.beathawk.com

About

SynthMaster One

This powerful wavetable synthesizer app offers an intuitive workflow for creating unique sounds. It features a rich library of wavetables, inspiring presets, and a semi-modular architecture for deep sound design. Easily sync data across devices and integrate with DAWs.

Highlights
  • Wavetable synthesis
  • Semi-modular architecture
  • 650 factory presets
  • AUv3 support
  • Cross-platform cloud sync
  • Real-time modulation feedback
  • 32-step arpeggiator/sequencer
Read full description

SynthMaster One iOS is KV331 Audio's first full blown universal synth app on iOS platform. It's a powerful wavetable synth with an intuitive workflow. With its simple layout, rich wavetable/waveform content and inspiring factory presets library, designing new sounds with SynthMaster One iOS is a joy. SynthMaster One iOS is feature wise identical to the desktop version except the following: * 16 voice polyphony (32 for the desktop version) * Comes with 650 presets (1250 for the desktop version) FEATURES * Universal App: SynthMaster One is now a universal standalone/AUv3 synth app running on iPhone 7 and above. * 650 Factory Presets: SynthMaster One iOS comes with inspiring factory presets from a world class team of sound designers: Arksun, Aiyn Zahev, BigTone Studios, Brian Transeau, Bluffmunkey, Bulent Biyikoglu, Gercek Dorman, Dejavu Sound, Fragment Audio, Kurt Ader, Mirko Ruta, Nori Ubukata, Rob Lee, Ufuk Kevser, Selcuk Ergen, The Machine, Vandalism Sound, Venus Theory, Vorpalsound and Xenos Soundworks * AUv3: SynthMaster One iOS supports AudioUnits V3, allowing multiple instances to run under supporting DAW apps like GarageBand, Cubasis or Beat Maker. * Files App Integration: Easily import/export presets, waveforms or scales using the common file browser UI (requires iOS 11+). * Real-time Modulation Feedback: See in real-time how modulation sources and targets change. This is a very helpful feature when designing sounds! * Cross Platform Cloud Synchronization: Easily synchronize your SynthMaster One related data across multiple platforms (Windows, MacOS, iPad, iPhone) * Semi-Modular Architecture: For each SynthMaster One instance, there are 2 oscillators with 2 sub oscillators, 2 Filters, 4 ADSR Envelopes, 3 LFOs, a powerful 16 step arpeggiator/sequencer and also 11 different effects that can be inserted on to 6 FX insert slots. The sub oscillators can be connected to the oscillators in 5 different modes which let you use it as a regular sub oscillator or do complex modulations such as ring modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation or frequency modulation. * 32 Step Arpeggiator/Sequencer: The arpeggiator in SynthMaster One features classic arpeggiator modes such as Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, UpDown2, DownUp2, AsPlayed as well as Sequence, Chord and Arpeggiate modes. * Wavetable Synthesis: SynthMaster One implements true wavetable synthesis which opens up new possibilities for sound design. It comes with a rich content library with hundreds of waveforms and wavetables. * Stereo Oscillators with up to 16 voices Unison: Each of the 2 oscillators in SynthMaster One have stereo output, and can have up to 16 voices "unison". Using the "voices", "voices mix", "detune curve", "detune spread", "pan stread", "tone spread" and "phase spread" parameters, each oscillator can generate a rich "supersaw" type sound. * Zero Delay Feedback Filters: All of the 4 filter categories in SynthMaster One are developed using the zero delay feedback filter technology. With advanced filter parameters like input gain, drive, acid, filter nonlinearities and up to 4 times oversampling you can get that "analog" sound from the filters! * Rich Set of Effects: SynthMaster One features 11 different effect types: Distortion, LoFi, Ensemble, Phaser, 6 Band EQ, Compressor, Vocoder, Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, Reverb. * Microtuning: SynthMaster One supports Scala tuning, so tuning can be set either for each preset or globally by loading from a Scala tuning file. SynthMaster One comes with 300+ scales ranging from 5 note equal tempered scales to 12 note alternate tuning scales. * Preset Browser: SynthMaster One features a comprehensive preset browser with separate search criterias for instrument type, preset attributes, music style or preset author. SUPPORTS * All 64-bit iPad devices * AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions * Note-per-channel MIDI controllers (MPE) * Ableton Link * Bluetooth LE MIDI Controllers * AirDrop

Screenshots

BeatHawk4 screens
SynthMaster One4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SynthMaster One at 4.7 against BeatHawk's 4.3. On price, review sentiment, 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

BeatHawk costs $9.99 and SynthMaster One $9.99 up front. BeatHawk sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and SynthMaster One sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SynthMaster One holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 394 and 743 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of BeatHawk's written reviews are positive against 64% of SynthMaster One's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
BeatHawk versus SynthMaster One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeatHawkSynthMaster One
Price$9.99$9.99
Rating4.3 (394 ratings)4.7 (743 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.1% of reviews — better63.8% of reviews
Number of ratings394743 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better10.0
Further details — not scored
Size981 MB402 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUVIKV331 Audio

Customer experience

BeatHawk

All ratings394 ratings
Positive82.2%
Neutral6.6%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews252 reviews
Positive67.1%
Neutral12.3%
Negative20.6%

SynthMaster One

All ratings743 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews207 reviews
Positive63.8%
Neutral10.6%
Negative25.6%

User reviews

BeatHawk

From 394 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🎨 High-quality sounds and sound packs
  • 💻 Works well as an AUv3 plugin
  • 🎶 Excellent for creating beats and music ideas
  • 🔥 Powerful and flexible

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues, especially on older devices
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find samples/packs
  • 💰 Sound packs are expensive
  • 🖼️ Interface could use better visual clarity and customization
  • 🔌 Bluetooth connectivity problems

SynthMaster One

From 743 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful synth engine
  • 👍 Extensive preset library
  • 🎨 Versatile sound design capabilities
  • 💡 Free desktop version expansions on iPad
  • 🎹 Excellent sound quality and tone

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔋 Battery drain in background
  • 🤔 Confusing in-app purchase system
  • 👎 UI/UX could use improvement
  • 🔇 Audio issues and no sound

Bugs and requests

BeatHawk

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Repeat Quantize setting not working properly
  • Saving and loading projects can be unreliable
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS devices
  • Latency and performance problems when used as an AUv3

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more pad banks and sample editing capabilities
  • Improve file management and integration with cloud storage
  • Implement MIDI learn and more advanced MIDI functionality
  • Add built-in synth engine and more effects
  • Enhance song mode and multi-track capabilities

SynthMaster One

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Stuck notes and MIDI issues
  • Preset loading crashes
  • Restore purchases not working
  • Incompatibility with certain DAWs

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add custom wavetable support
  • Improve MIDI mapping and MPE functionality
  • Optimize performance on older devices
  • Streamline preset management and browsing

In-app purchases

10 purchases

BeatHawk

One-time10
  • World Percussion$1.99
  • Latin Percusion$1.99
  • 808$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Trip Hop$3.99
  • Atlanta Urban$4.99
  • Funk$4.99
  • Guitar Loops$4.99
  • Acoustic Drums$4.99
  • Choirs$7.99
  • Acoustic Grand$9.99
11 purchases

SynthMaster One

One-time11
  • BigTone Club Construction Set$4.99
  • True Trance Sounds Volume 1$4.99
  • Vandalism Future House$4.99
Show 8 more
  • NatLife Retrowave Sounds Vol.1$4.99
  • Demis Hellen Euphoric Trance$4.99
  • Venus Theory Trap Sounds$4.99
  • Vandalism Shocking Future Bass$4.99
  • NatLife Progressive&Deep Vol.1$4.99
  • Bluffmunkey Cinematic Sounds$4.99
  • Desktop Presets Upgrade$7.99
  • SM One Expansions Bundle$24.99

Questions

Is BeatHawk free?
BeatHawk costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is SynthMaster One free?
SynthMaster One costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BeatHawk or SynthMaster One?
SynthMaster One is rated higher. BeatHawk averages 4.3 out of 5 from 394 ratings, while SynthMaster One averages 4.7 from 743 ratings.
Do BeatHawk or SynthMaster One have ads?
Neither BeatHawk nor SynthMaster One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BeatHawk or SynthMaster One?
BeatHawk ships an update every 2 months, and SynthMaster One every 2 months. Most recently, BeatHawk was updated on September 29, 2026 and SynthMaster One on September 28, 2026.

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