Comparison

Motion Synth vs Polywave

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

Head to head
About

Motion Synth

This app turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a musical instrument. Play notes with touch and control sound with motion. It can be used standalone, with other iOS music apps, or even external hardware and laptop software.

Highlights
  • Play notes via touch
  • Shape sound through motion
  • Control in-app sounds
  • Control other iOS music apps
  • Control external hardware synths
  • Control laptop audio/visual software
Features
Read full description

Music through motion: The AUUG Motion Synth transforms your iPhone or iPod touch into an expressive musical instrument that lets you play notes via touch and shape their sound through motion. Visit http://www.auug.com to see a demonstration video. Available here is the free version of the AUUG Motion Synth App, designed to allow users to easily experience motion-based music creation. Follow the in-app video tutorial to learn how to play the musical instrument sounds included with the app (See 'SETUP VIDEO' button). An upgraded version of the app is also available, and has been carefully designed to work with the AUUG Motion Synth Grip. Together, the Motion Synth App and Grip transform your iPhone or iPod touch into a practical and powerful musical instrument. Get yours here: http://www.auug.com/order/ ------ Play in-app sounds, iOS music apps (e.g. GarageBand), or laptop software through movement: The AUUG Motion Synth tracks your movements and screen touches to expressively play in-app musical sounds. The AUUG Motion Synth also allows you to play the sounds of other iOS music apps, giving you access to a vast array of sounds and effects. You can also play external devices like hardware synths or vocal harmonizers as well as control audio or visual software on a laptop (via WiFi or cabled connections). The Motion Synth app is also compatible with the Music IO app, allowing you to control your laptop software via your iPhone cable (Lightning). ------ Use the Motion Synth App by itself or with a Motion Synth Grip: The Motion Synth App has two modes: 1) Single-Key mode (free version): This Motion Synth App mode allows you to quickly engage with motion-based music control, and includes tutorial videos explaining how to use the in-app sounds. 2) Multi-Key mode (upgrade): This Motion Synth App mode is designed to work with the AUUG Motion Synth Grip: a physical holder that securely attaches your iPhone or iPod touch to your hand, thereby improving the dexterity and accuracy with which you can trigger notes via the touch screen.

About

Polywave

Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Wavetable sequencer
  • Custom waveform drawing
  • Expansive waveform library
  • 100+ factory presets
  • MIDI and Audio Unit support
  • Live recording module
  • 8-voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

Screenshots

Motion Synth4 screens
Polywave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Polywave at 4.7 against Motion Synth's 3.5. Polywave also leads on device support (4 vs 2). Motion Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). 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

Both are free to download. Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Motion Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Polywave holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Motion Synth's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Motion Synth ships an update every 4 months, Polywave every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Motion Synth versus Polywave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMotion SynthPolywave
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (40 ratings)4.7 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings40 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAUUGFingerlab

Customer experience

Motion Synth

All ratings40 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative35.0%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.7%

Polywave

All ratings34 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%

In-app purchases

None

Motion Synth

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Polywave

One-time1
  • Full Version$11.99

Questions

Is Motion Synth free?
Motion Synth is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Polywave free?
Polywave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Motion Synth or Polywave?
Polywave is rated higher. Motion Synth averages 3.5 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Polywave averages 4.7 from 34 ratings.
Do Motion Synth or Polywave have ads?
Neither Motion Synth nor Polywave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Motion Synth or Polywave?
Motion Synth ships an update every 4 months, and Polywave every 3 months. Most recently, Motion Synth was updated on October 13, 2026 and Polywave on October 15, 2026.

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