# KORG iM1 vs SynthMaster 2

The clearest difference is price: SynthMaster 2 at $14.99 against KORG iM1's $29.99. SynthMaster 2 also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). KORG iM1's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (82% vs 68%). On rating, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

KORG iM1 costs $29.99 and SynthMaster 2 $14.99 up front. KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and SynthMaster 2 sells 32 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for KORG iM1 against 4.8 for SynthMaster 2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1K and 451 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of KORG iM1's written reviews are positive against 68% of SynthMaster 2's.

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, SynthMaster 2 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KORG iM1 | SynthMaster 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **$14.99** |
| Rating | [4.7 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326/reviews) | **[4.8 (451 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-2/id1566704584/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 451 |
| Positive reviews | **81.5% of reviews** | 68.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#150** | — |
| Size | 200 MB | 918 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) | [KV331 Audio](https://appshunter.io/developer/944155925) |

## What reviewers say

### KORG iM1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326)

**Currently charting:** #150 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app faithfully reproduces the legendary M1 synthesizer, offering its iconic sounds and expanded features for modern music creation. It provides a vast library of presets and intuitive performance tools, making it accessible to both experienced musicians and beginners.

**Highlights:** Faithful reproduction of original M1 sound, Expanded filter resonance and 18 effects, Gigantic library of 3,300 sounds, Intuitive KAOSS pad for performance, Smart Sound Browser for quick sound selection, Compatible with KORG Gadget

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| M1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| T1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Authentic M1 sound reproduction
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🎹 Faithful recreation of the original hardware
- 🎨 Powerful sound customization options
- 🔗 Works well with MIDI controllers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues
- 🔇 Low output volume compared to other apps
- 🤔 Confusing UI for patch editing and saving
- 🔴 Missing AUv3 support for integration with DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing or missing purchased sound cards
- Bluetooth MIDI connectivity issues
- Compatibility problems with certain iOS versions or devices

**Requested features**

- Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve preset management and saving capabilities
- Increase master volume control options
- Expand sound library with more cards/expansions


### SynthMaster 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-2/id1566704584)

This powerful software synthesizer offers a vast array of sound design capabilities, including multiple oscillator modes, extensive modulation options, and a wide selection of filters. Explore over 1000 factory presets or create your own unique sounds. Available as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin.

**Highlights:** Multiple oscillator modes (Basic, Additive, Wavetable, Vector), Extensive modulation architecture, 6 filter categories, Import custom wave files, 1000+ factory presets, Standalone app and AUv3 plugin

**In-app purchases (32)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BigTone Tableworks Vol.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Burak Yeter Synth Sounds Vol1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Aiyn Zahev Expansion 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Tableworks Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Michael Kastrup Expansion | $1.99 | one-time |
| EDM Stars Volume 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.4 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Alonso Sound Future Rave | $1.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Techno Bits Vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Club Sequences Vol.1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Nori Ubukata Art Rock Basics | $2.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Analog Basics 02 | $4.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Analog Basics | $4.99 | one-time |
| BigTone Signature Sounds Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| NU Sounds of the World | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Historical Synth Giants Vol.2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Japan Vintage | $4.99 | one-time |
| NatLife Future Bass Sounds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Danyella EDM Expansion Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Natlife Disco Funk | $4.99 | one-time |
| Insigne Essentials 4 Clubbin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Desktop Presets Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| All Expansions Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best synth on iPad
- 👍 Delicious sound
- 👍 Tremendously powerful synth
- 👍 Great synth with complex possibilities and great sound(s)
- 👍 Perfeito

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Auswahl der Modulationsquellen funktioniert nicht richtig
- 🐛 Echt schlecht
- 🐛 Broken Preset System for a powerful synth
- 🐛 Please fix the OSC behavior on Square and Saw
- 🐛 Preset issues

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly
- Modulation not working after loading project
- Skin resets to default
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Pitch bend/glide for imported samples
- Integration with AUM audio mixer


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KORG iM1 free?

KORG iM1 costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is SynthMaster 2 free?

SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KORG iM1 or SynthMaster 2?

SynthMaster 2 is rated higher. KORG iM1 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while SynthMaster 2 averages 4.8 from 451 ratings.

### Do KORG iM1 or SynthMaster 2 have ads?

SynthMaster 2 shows ads; KORG iM1 does not.

### Which is updated more often, KORG iM1 or SynthMaster 2?

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, and SynthMaster 2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, KORG iM1 was updated on October 13, 2026 and SynthMaster 2 on October 14, 2026.

---

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