# modstep vs SAGA Synth | 16

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SAGA Synth | 16 at 89% against modstep's 46%. SAGA Synth | 16 also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.8) and price ($3.99 vs $9.99). modstep's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 14.4). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

modstep costs $9.99 and SAGA Synth | 16 $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SAGA Synth | 16 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAGA Synth | 16 has 446 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 89% of SAGA Synth | 16's.

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | modstep | SAGA Synth | 16 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | [2.8 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modstep/id966990643/reviews) | **[4.9 (446 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-synth-16-bit-sonic-fun/id1658167569/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 39 | **446** |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews | **89.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#200** |
| Size | 99 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 14.4 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christian Blomert](https://appshunter.io/developer/385949478) | [AudioKit Pro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1307785645) |

## 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


### SAGA Synth | 16

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-synth-16-bit-sonic-fun/id1658167569)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app provides a 16-bit retro video game synthesizer with over 350 presets. It allows for the creation of expressive pads, sound effects, drums, and leads, and can be used as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin. Record and export your creations as WAV files.

**Highlights:** 16-bit retro video game synth, Over 350+ presets, Standalone app & AUv3 plugin, Step sequencer, Audio recording and export, MIDI keyboard support, Ableton Link

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Awesome retro sounds
- 👍 Great creation methods
- 🎨 Versatile and fun
- 🎨 More than just game sounds
- 👍 Tons of presets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Midi not working properly
- 🐛 Sequencer issues with recording
- 🐛 Keyboard issues and bugs
- 🐛 Crashes and stability problems
- 🤔 Not true 16-bit emulation

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when too many favorites
- Overlapping UI elements on phones

**Requested features**

- Export to Famitone music file
- macOS version
- Improved quantization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is modstep free?

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

### Is SAGA Synth | 16 free?

SAGA Synth | 16 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, modstep or SAGA Synth | 16?

SAGA Synth | 16 is rated higher. modstep averages 2.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while SAGA Synth | 16 averages 4.9 from 446 ratings.

### Do modstep or SAGA Synth | 16 have ads?

Neither modstep nor SAGA Synth | 16 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, modstep or SAGA Synth | 16?

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, and SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. Most recently, modstep was updated on November 5, 2026 and SAGA Synth | 16 on November 4, 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.*