synthQ vs Unique for iPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
synthQ
This music creation tool for iPad offers a unique module queuing system and a customizable interface for dynamic sound design. Create complex sounds with virtual cables, a resizable keyboard, and a wide array of modules for production, performance, and education.
- Customizable module queuing system
- Virtual cable-based modulation
- Resizable multi-octave keyboard
- Extensive module library (oscillators, envelopes, filters, FX)
- Ableton Link support
- MIDI input/output
- Preset sharing and import
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Introducing the queuing synthesizer for iPad. SynthQ has been designed from the ground up with the touchscreen interface in mind. SynthQ is a subtractive synthesizer with a customizable interface. A unique module queuing system, resizable multi-octave keyboard, and intuitive cable-based modulation controls offer a truly dynamic music-making experience for iOS. Each part of the synth is separated into units called modules. Each module snaps into place along a scrollable surface above the keyboard. Control the number of modules shown on the screen at any time. Control which modules appear for each sound. Tap a button on the module menu to launch a module and add it to the queue. Drag a module up and release to remove it from the queue. Drag a module down to move it within the queue. Add variability to your sound by connecting different modules using virtual cables. Alter the sound with synthQ's movable keys. SynthQ provides an intuitive and engaging way to get started creating your own sounds, and is ideal for production, performance and music education environments. Full feature list: MODULES: —three oscillators — sine, triangle, saw, square, pulse and resonant noise waves —three adsrs — amp, filter and modulation envelopes —filter with lowpass, hipass, bandpass, band-reject and peak filter modes —glide —frequency modulation oscillator —ring modulation oscillator —eight modulation bays with virtual cables enable interactions between modules —three tempo-syncable LFOs with sine, triangle, saw, reverse saw, square, random curve and random step waves —two XY matrix pads —XY keys module turns the keyboard's movable keys into modulation sources —sequencer module with Ableton Link support and built-in arpeggiator mode —vocoder using microphone or Inter-App Audio Effect input —two FX slots with chorus, flanger, phaser, reverb, tremolo, distortion, delay and bitcrush —analog simulation with soft clipping and random pitch wavering —midi module with pitch bender, modwheel and velocity —master volume control INTERFACE: —multi-octave resizable keyboard with 10-voice polyphonic, monophonic and legato modes —optional "sticky keys" mode locks each key to your finger after being pressed —when used as a modulation source, sound can be altered by moving the keys in different directions —unique rearrangeable module queuing area defines which controls are present per preset —fully featured preset menu system with options to share and import via e-mail or iTunes File Sharing —import presets directly from iOS mail by tapping and holding the attachment and pressing "Open in synthQ" —functional graphic design and layout eliminates screen switching by keeping the control modules and keyboard in constant view OTHER FEATURES: —Audiobus 3 support with Inter-App Audio —A=432Hz, A=440Hz and A=444Hz tuning modes —44100k Hz, 32000 Hz and 22050 Hz sampling rate modes —MIDI input and output per channel —basic recording feature to save, play, loop, and share recordings —import .WAV files from iTunes File Sharing for playback —parallax motion effects Follow @synthQ on Twitter for latest announcements and free preset packs, updated regularly! Share your presets with the developer for a chance to get them added to an official update!
Unique for iPad
This app creates unique analog synth sounds with a wide sonic spectrum. It features two oscillators with multiple waveforms, a sub-oscillator, and a versatile filter section including a unique Vowel Filter. Enhance your sounds with LFOs, envelopes, an XY field, a sequencer, and dual multi-effect units.
- Multiple oscillator waveforms
- Sub-oscillator for added depth
- Versatile filter section
- Unique Vowel Filter
- Dual multi-effect units
- Recordable XY field and sequencer
- Ableton Link and MIDI support
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“Unique sounds like syrup with dirt kicked into it. If Bootsy Collins, Roger Troutman and Daft Punk would have met up in Studio 54 to create a soft-synth, for sure something like Unique would have come out of it…” Sound & Recording Mag Unique was made for fun and vibes: Analogue sound, intense modulation and a killer set of features, delivering an amazing sonic spectrum that’s full of character: Classy sounds, powerful, warm… sometimes gritty. Each of the 2 oscillators offers a selection of 5 waveforms: sawtooth and pulse waves are here, along with noise, triple saw and triple FM waves. There's also an additional sub-oscillator strapped into the master section for added oomph. The internal controllers will bring in the dynamics: an LFO and an envelope, there's a recordable XY field & a sequencer. Use these to modulate any knob – a simple long tap will do. The sound springs to life when it hits the filter section. Needless to say, analogue high-pass, low-pass and band-pass varieties are in place, along with a comb filter. Standards aside, the actual intention behind this project, the Vowel Filter, also became its outstanding feature: string together two or four vowel formants and play them back in a multitude of ways. Once you’ve built your sound, there’s tons of sound polish in two chained multi-effect units. Features • Sawtooth, Triple Saw, Pulse, Triple FM, Noise with tonal Filter, Sub Sine • 5 Filters with 5 Modulators each • Duophone Arpeggiator • Vowel Filter • Two Effect Sections • Ableton Link Kit • MIDI Learn & Host Automation • 300 groovy presets by various artists
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Unique for iPad at Free against synthQ's $5.99. synthQ's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support 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
Unique for iPad is free to download; synthQ costs $5.99 up front. Unique for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. synthQ asks for nothing beyond the download.
synthQ holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of synthQ's written reviews are positive against 63% of Unique for iPad's.
synthQ ships an update every 3 months, Unique for iPad every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | synthQ | Unique for iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (13 ratings) — better | 3.4 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 63.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chris Niven | Sugar Bytes GmbH |
Customer experience
synthQ
Unique for iPad
In-app purchases
synthQ
No in-app purchases
Unique for iPad
- Unique Full Version$19.99









