Free iOS apps

Inclusive, intuitive, and ready to play.

Welcome to our curated selection of free iOS music apps. We regularly check and update this list to help ensure the apps remain accessible and relevant for educators and learners. While we’ve done our best to ensure the information is accurate, we welcome feedback from users, educators, and app developers to help us refine descriptions or correct any details.

Many of these instrument and effects apps work as standalone tools, but can also be used within compatible digital audio workstations (DAWs) like GarageBand for iOS. If the app supports Audio Unit Extensions (AUE), you can open GarageBand, create a new track, choose External, then select Audio Unit Extensions to access any installed apps directly within your project. This makes them even more versatile for classroom composition, sound design, and music production.

Some apps listed may include optional paid content or offer premium versions with additional features. We’ve included them where the free version still provides strong educational value.

Music Tech Hub is not involved in the development of these apps and provides this page as a resource to signpost useful tools available via the Apple App Store. While we test and trust the apps included, we are not responsible for their content, performance, or data policies. Please use at your own discretion.

Animoog Z Synthesizer (by Moog Music Inc.)

Animoog Z is a powerful, expressive synth that uses Moog’s unique wavetable and vector synthesis engine. Students can explore evolving textures, ambient pads, and sci-fi-style leads—ideal for electronic, cinematic, or experimental music projects.

Wavetable synths are a type of synthesizer that create sound by cycling through waveforms stored in a table—hence the name wavetable. Each waveform (or “table”) contains a different shape, and you can morph or scroll through them over time to produce evolving, dynamic sounds.

Imagine a row of different wave shapes—sine, square, triangle, etc.—and the synth smoothly moves through them as you play. This creates rich, shifting tones that are hard to achieve with traditional analog synths.

It runs as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to use in GarageBand or other iOS DAWs. Great for teaching timbre, modulation, and movement in sound, while encouraging creative exploration and performance.

King of FM DX Synth & E. Piano (by AudioKit Pro)

King of FM is a free FM synthesizer focused on classic electric piano and DX-style sounds, perfect for exploring timbre and texture in soul, pop, jazz, and 80s-inspired genres. With its rich tones and expressive presets, it’s ideal for teaching about FM synthesis and keyboard-based arrangement.

An FM synth, or Frequency Modulation synthesizer, is a type of synthesizer that creates sound by modulating one waveform (called the carrier) with another (the modulator) to produce complex harmonic content. Instead of shaping sound using filters (like subtractive synths), FM synthesis builds tones by combining and altering frequencies. This results in rich, dynamic, and often bell-like or metallic sounds.

It works as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), allowing easy use in GarageBand or other iOS DAWs for layering, performance, and composition. Great for demonstrating the character of FM sounds in modern and retro musical contexts.

Numa Player (by Studiologic Music)

Numa Player is a high-quality virtual instrument app featuring a range of expressive sounds, including acoustic and electric pianos, pads, and strings. It’s ideal for exploring timbre, arrangement, and performance in styles like classical, jazz, pop, and electronic.

With a clean interface and flexible layering options, it allows students to combine sounds, tweak effects, and experiment creatively. It works both as a standalone app and as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to integrate into GarageBand for iOS and other DAWs.

Tonebridge Guitar Effects (by Ultimate Guitar)

Tonebridge gives students access to the signature guitar tones of thousands of well-known songs, from clean pop to heavy rock. Simply plug in an electric guitar using an interface like the iRig 2 Mobile Guitar Interface, and play through instantly recognisable presets—perfect for learning about tone, style, and genre.

Viking Synth (by Blamsoft, Inc.)

Viking Synth is a powerful monophonic synth ideal for teaching analog synthesis basics. With rich basses, sharp leads, and built-in presets covering electro, synthwave, and experimental styles, it’s perfect for exploring sound design and timbre.

It runs standalone or as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to integrate into GarageBand for composition or live performance. Great for introducing subtractive synthesis and helping students create genre-specific electronic sounds.

LRC7 (by Neon Silicon)

LRC7 is a free 7-band parametric EQ plugin that helps students understand how frequency shaping affects a mix. With a range of filter types and precise control, it’s ideal for teaching EQ basics and critical listening skills.

It runs as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to use in GarageBand or other iOS DAWs for real-time audio processing and mixing tasks.

Primer 2 Synth (by Audible Genius)

Primer 2 is a beginner-friendly subtractive synth, perfect for teaching the basics of synthesis. With a clean layout and essential controls, students can explore oscillators, filters, and modulation while crafting sounds for electronic, pop, or experimental music.

It works as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to integrate into GarageBand for hands-on sound design and composition tasks.

AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer (by AudioKit Pro)

AudioKit Synth One is a powerful, all-in-one polyphonic synthesizer with over 300 presets—ideal for teaching synthesis and sound design. Students can explore oscillators, filters, envelopes, and modulation through a hands-on interface suited to electronic, cinematic, and experimental music.

It runs as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to integrate into GarageBand or other iOS DAWs for composition, layering, or live performance. A great tool for introducing both beginner and advanced synthesis concepts.

Monolit (by BLEASS)

BLEASS Monolit is a free monophonic synth designed for creating bold basses, crisp leads, and classic analog-style tones—ideal for genres like electronic, synthwave, and techno. It’s great for introducing students to synthesis concepts like oscillators, envelopes, and filter shaping.

It runs as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), making it easy to use in GarageBand or other iOS DAWs for hands-on sound design, sequencing, and performance tasks. Great for exploring tone creation and synth programming in a modern music context.

BLEASS groovebox (by BLEASS)

BLEASS groovebox brings music production and performance to its very core, allowing students to play, perform, and compose beats, chords, and melodies in an intuitive way. With its multitrack sequencer, monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers, and drum machines, learners can delve into sound design and sequencing. This app is ideal for teaching concepts of rhythm, harmony, and arrangement across various musical styles. ​Apple

Hypertron (by Konstantin Klem)

Hypertron is a free, MPC-style groovebox that combines a drum machine, synth, and sampler into one intuitive app. Students can build beats, trigger samples, and sequence loops—ideal for exploring rhythm, layering, and structure in genres like hip-hop, EDM, and pop.

It works as a standalone app, making it perfect for quick composition tasks or live performance practice. A great tool for developing timing, pattern-based thinking, and hands-on music-making skills.

Auxy Jam (by Auxy AB)

Auxy Jam is a polished, loop-based music app designed for quick, intuitive beat-making. With a library of curated sounds, pupils can easily create grooves and layer melodies using a step-sequencer-style interface—ideal for exploring genres like hip-hop, house, techno, and lo-fi.

The app runs smoothly as a standalone tool, keeping the workflow simple and engaging without overwhelming features. It’s a great way to introduce learners to loop-based composition, rhythmic structuring, and electronic music production techniques.

ChordChord (by ChordChord.com)

ChordChord is a free chord progression generator that helps students quickly create and experiment with harmonic structures. It’s ideal for supporting songwriting and inspiring song starter ideas. 

With simple controls and playback features, students can hear how progressions sound in real time, making it great for exploring mood, tension, and resolution. Useful for both theory lessons and creative composition tasks.

J Music Maker (by Junpei Wada)

J Music Maker is a simple, beginner-friendly musical app that lets pupils quickly sketch out ideas and create beats using drums, bass, and chord patterns. Its visual, grid-based interface makes it easy to understand rhythm, layering, and loop-based composition.

There is also the option for pupils to play drums along to several popular song riffs, practicing their rhythm and time keeping. 

Figure (by Reason Studios AB)

Figure is a fun, intuitive groovebox app that lets students quickly create beats, basslines, and melodies using touch-friendly controls. With built-in synths and drum sounds, it’s perfect for introducing loop-based composition and musical structure.

Ideal for short creative tasks or performance-based activities in electronic, pop, or dance styles. Great for all learners, especially beginners exploring rhythm, melody, and music technology for the first time.

Beatsurfing 2 (by DRUW Audio)

Beatsurfing 2 is a hands-on beat-making and performance app where students can play or build custom gesture-controlled instruments. It supports rhythmic exploration, sequencing, and live performance in an interactive visual format.

For KS4 learners, its advanced features allow for creating personalised performance setups. For younger pupils, using the default templates in full-screen mode offers a simpler, engaging way to explore gesture-based music-making.

Ideal for electronic and experimental styles, and perfect for teaching improvisation, interface design, and creative control.

CMPSR Swipe (by Digit Music)

CMPSR Swipe is a gesture-based music creation app that lets students create tracks by swiping and tapping across a set of visual lanes. It’s ideal for introducing rhythm, structure, and musical form in an intuitive, game-like format.

Best suited for younger learners or beginners, it encourages creative play while building confidence with loops and arrangement. A great way to explore musical ideas without needing prior music theory or production knowledge.

This app pairs seemlessly with the Digit CMPSR joystick MIDI controller, unlocking a highly inclusive and fun music making experience for learners.

Seaboard 5D (by ROLI Ltd.)

Seaboard 5D is a gesture-based synth app that lets students shape sound using taps and slides helping them explore dynamics, timbre, and expression in a hands-on way.

Paired with a ROLI Seaboard keyboard, the app unlocks a seamless, tactile music-making experience. This combination is ideal for teaching expressive performance, creative sound design, and gesture-based control in electronic and cinematic styles.

Launchpad: Music & Beat Maker (by Focusrite Audio Engineering)

Launchpad is a performance-based music app where students trigger loops and samples in real time using a grid of pads. It’s perfect for teaching structure, layering, and live arrangement across genres like EDM, hip-hop, and pop.

With its intuitive interface and built-in effects, learners can remix music, explore beat-making, and perform creatively—ideal for both classroom use and independent exploration.

Soundforest (by Justin Alexander)

Soundforest is a playful, loop-based music creation app where students build tracks by placing animated icons into a visual timeline. Each icon represents a sound—melodies, bass, percussion—making it ideal for exploring structure, texture, and layering.

Its intuitive, game-like interface is great for younger learners or beginners, encouraging experimentation and creativity without needing prior music theory or production skills.

BandLab – Music Making Studio (by BandLab Technologies)

BandLab is a full-featured music creation app that allows students to record, mix, and collaborate on songs using loops, virtual instruments, and effects. Its user-friendly design makes it suitable for KS2 learners and up, especially those exploring songwriting, beat-making, or audio layering.

It supports real-time collaboration and works across devices, making it great for group projects or independent learning. Ideal for teaching structure, arrangement, composition, texture and digital music production in a modern context.

MusiQuest: Sketch-a-Song (by Edify Technologies, Inc.)

MusiQuest: Sketch-a-Song is a colourful, intuitive music creation app designed for young learners. Pupils create music by placing notes on a visual grid, making it easy to explore melody, rhythm, and structure without needing to read notation.

Perfect for EYFS to KS2, it supports creativity, listening skills, and melody creation in a playful, accessible format—ideal for classroom composition and independent exploration.