# modstep vs AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

The clearest difference is price: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth at Free against modstep's $9.99. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (76% vs 46%). modstep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download; modstep costs $9.99 up front. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. modstep asks for nothing beyond the download.

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth has 2.1K ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of modstep's written reviews are positive against 76% of AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | modstep | AudioKit Digital D1 Synth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.8 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modstep/id966990643/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 39 | **2.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews | **76.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Size | 99 MB | 636 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christian Blomert](https://appshunter.io/developer/385949478) | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) |

## What reviewers say

### modstep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modstep/id966990643)

Create music with a powerful MIDI sequencer for iPad. Control external hardware, IAA apps, and Audio Units. Features unlimited tracks, real-time editing, and integrated synths/samplers for on-the-go or studio production.

**Highlights:** Session-style MIDI sequencer, Unlimited tracks and scenes, Real-time editing and modulation, Integrated synth and sampler, IAA and Audio Unit integration, Ableton Link sync, MIDI and Audio export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎛️ Powerful MIDI sequencing capabilities
- 🎨 Clean and polished user interface design
- 🔗 Excellent integration with external hardware and IAA/AU apps
- 🎵 Ableton Live-like clip launching workflow
- 🎚️ Extensive automation and CC control options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ⏸️ App appears abandoned with no recent updates
- 🔌 IAA/AU instrument loading causes crashes
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🎚️ Confusing and unintuitive user interface

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when loading external IAA/AU instruments
- Constant clicking sound with metronome off
- Projects fail to load or require multiple restart attempts
- MIDI input routing ignores channel settings
- Track names change when using 'save as' function

**Requested features**

- Undo/redo functionality
- MIDI import capability
- Pre-roll for recording
- Dedicated mixer with send/returns
- Audio loop recording and playback


### AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540)

This app is a virtual analog and PCM synthesizer for iPad, inspired by the digital synthesizers of the 80s and 90s. It offers a vast library of presets, advanced synthesis features, and built-in effects for creating rich, retro-inspired sounds.

**Highlights:** 64-voice hybrid digital poly synthesis, 1GB+ of original samples, Stand-alone, IAA, and AUv3 support, Vintage-style arp/step sequencer, 3 LFOs with fun routings, Dual independent per-layer filters, Built-in FX suite

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| D1 PCM Expansion-01 | Free | one-time |
| Platinum Expansion PCM EXP-01 | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Excellent sound quality
- 🎹 Versatile and inspiring presets
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 💰 Great value for the price
- 🔥 Cutting-edge digital synthesis

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔒 Lack of Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- 🤔 Some presets not easily usable
- 🕰️ Slow loading times in certain DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly
- MIDI note dropouts and latency
- Crashes when used with certain DAWs
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add Audio Unit (AUv3) support
- Improve MIDI integration and responsiveness
- Implement a built-in recording/sampling feature
- Expand preset library with more genres and styles
- Add more sound design controls and modulation options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is modstep free?

modstep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AudioKit Digital D1 Synth free?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, modstep or AudioKit Digital D1 Synth?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is rated higher. modstep averages 2.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while AudioKit Digital D1 Synth averages 4.8 from 2.1K ratings.

### Do modstep or AudioKit Digital D1 Synth have ads?

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth shows ads; modstep does not.

### Which is updated more often, modstep or AudioKit Digital D1 Synth?

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, and AudioKit Digital D1 Synth every 3 weeks. Most recently, modstep was updated on November 5, 2026 and AudioKit Digital D1 Synth on November 2, 2026.

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