# Photophore Synth vs ID700

The clearest difference is price: Photophore Synth at $0.99 against ID700's $12.99. Photophore Synth also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). ID700's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (130 vs 28). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Photophore Synth costs $0.99 and ID700 $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ID700 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 130 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Photophore Synth's written reviews are positive against 88% of ID700's.

Photophore Synth ships an update every 2 months, ID700 monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photophore Synth | ID700 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $12.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photophore-synth/id937318617/reviews) | **[4.8 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id700/id1482698043/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 28 | **130** |
| Positive reviews | 80.3% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 11 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Taika Systems LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1182934983) | [Jonathan Schatz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482698042) |

## What reviewers say

### Photophore Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photophore-synth/id937318617)

This app uses a unique flock synthesis engine with up to 100 sound generators to create rich, organic synthesizer sounds. Control flock behavior to generate diverse timbres, from choirs to insect swarms. Interact by swiping the screen for pitch modulation and chaotic effects.

**Highlights:** Unique flock synthesis engine, Up to 100 oscillators per patch, Polyphonic and monophonic modes, 12 oscillator waveforms, Low pass/High pass filter with resonance, Stereo echo effect, Arpeggiator

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and atypical synth
- 🎶 Great sounds and engaging
- 💰 Good value for the price
- 💡 Innovative sound design approach
- 🔊 Lush and evolving ambient sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤏 Small keyboard size
- 📉 Limited sound variety initially
- 😵‍💫 Overly dark color scheme
- 🤔 Some find it a toy, not powerful
- 🎛️ Basic sound design parameters

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't show in Cubasis 3 under audiobus or inter-app
- Receives MIDI on all channels even when selecting a specific channel (iOS 14.4)
- Dies when screen sleeps even with 'Run in background' checked
- Keyboard is an afterthought
- App frozen on welcome page (iOS 7)

**Requested features**

- AUv3 support
- MIDI out
- Ableton Link
- More presets and synths
- Update for newer screen sizes


### ID700

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id700/id1482698043)

This app is a software synthesizer that recreates the voice architecture of the Buchla 700. It offers hybrid FM and waveshaping synthesis with extensive customization options for sound design. It functions as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin for music production software.

**Highlights:** Hybrid FM and waveshaping synthesis, AUv3 and Standalone support, Twelve voices with unique algorithms, Fourteen complex envelopes per voice, Two waveshapers per voice, MPE capability, Scala scale file support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Unique and beautiful sounds
- 💡 Inspiring and experimental sound design
- 🎹 High-quality instrument
- ✨ Intuitive and well-designed UI
- 🚀 Deep and complex synthesis

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some users experience crashes on startup
- 🤏 Tiny UI elements (harmonics, font size)
- 🎨 Dark interface can be difficult for visually impaired users
- 🎚️ Knobs can be jumpy/sensitive
- 👆 Sliders not functioning properly (earlier reviews)

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- MIDI cannot select a channel, responds to all
- App does not launch when plugged into an audio interface
- Sliders not functioning properly (combined left/right and up/down movement)
- Takes value from where slider is touched, preventing adjustment

**Requested features**

- Option for sliders to behave like faders
- Expandable harmonics section for precision
- On-screen mod wheel and pitch bend
- Option for different color schemes/themes
- Ability to make certain sections bigger for finer control


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photophore Synth free?

Photophore Synth costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ID700 free?

ID700 costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Photophore Synth or ID700?

ID700 is rated higher. Photophore Synth averages 4.5 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while ID700 averages 4.8 from 130 ratings.

### Do Photophore Synth or ID700 have ads?

Neither Photophore Synth nor ID700 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Photophore Synth or ID700?

Photophore Synth ships an update every 2 months, and ID700 monthly. Most recently, Photophore Synth was updated on November 1, 2026 and ID700 on November 3, 2026.

---

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