# modstep vs Factory

The clearest difference is price: Factory at Free against modstep's $9.99. Factory also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (81% vs 46%). modstep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Factory is free to download; modstep costs $9.99 up front. Factory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. modstep asks for nothing beyond the download.

Factory holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Factory has 487 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 81% of Factory's.

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, Factory every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | modstep | Factory |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.8 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modstep/id966990643/reviews) | **[4.9 (487 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/factory-modular-synthesizer/id1458743434/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 39 | **487** |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews | **81.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 99 MB | 351 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christian Blomert](https://appshunter.io/developer/385949478) | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) |

## 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


### Factory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/factory-modular-synthesizer/id1458743434)

This app offers a powerful modular synthesizer experience with a vast array of DSP for complex sound design. Explore analog-style oscillators, wavetable synthesis, and a dynamic signal flow with a unique morph crossfader. Easily find and manage sounds with a tagged preset browser.

**Highlights:** Modular synthesizer with extensive modulation matrix, Multiple synthesis types including wavetable and analog, Dynamic signal flow with 3-FX chain, Morph crossfader for drastic sound changes, Preset browser with tagging and rating, Sequencers, arpeggiator, and quantizer

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Factory Full Version | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful synth engine
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
- 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
- 💡 Innovative modulation matrix
- 🎶 Inspiring and unique presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with other apps
- 🖥️ Pixelated interface on high-res displays
- 🔇 Note-sticking problems

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading correctly in DAW projects
- CC assignment issues causing controls to freeze

**Requested features**

- Ability to modulate morph slider
- Option to modulate effects parameters individually
- Arpeggiator with retrigger on key press
- Better integration with GarageBand and other DAWs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is modstep free?

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

### Is Factory free?

Factory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, modstep or Factory?

Factory is rated higher. modstep averages 2.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Factory averages 4.9 from 487 ratings.

### Do modstep or Factory have ads?

Neither modstep nor Factory shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, modstep or Factory?

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, and Factory every 3 months. Most recently, modstep was updated on November 5, 2026 and Factory on November 3, 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.*