Comparison

Poseidon Synth vs VAPoly16

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Poseidon Synth

Explore vast sonic landscapes with this advanced synthesizer. It combines analog synthesis with spectral modeling for unique sound design, offering powerful filters, spatialization, and a vast library of presets and sound models.

Highlights
  • Spectral model oscillator
  • F-Domain Filter with variable slope
  • Spatializer for stereo movement
  • Extensive sound browser
  • Arpeggiator with programmable sequences
  • Built-in effects suite
Read full description

Poseidon Synth - The Ocean of Sound For all creatures in the ocean of sound - Sonic textures from other worlds, Analog signature sounds,  Cut-through-the-mix leads and silkily smooth pads: Poseidon sets a new standard for sound design and ease of use. All of this was made possible through a combination of the familiar, conceptual simplicity of the analog synthesis and our frequency domain based Spectral modelling synthesis technology. Spectral model oscillator Select a basic sound model from over hundred delivered with Poseidon. The basic sound model determines the sound characteristic you want to start: taking a artificial model like “Sawtooth” gives you analog style sounds. Use complex models from analyzed samples for earth shaking ambients and evolving pads. Model parameters High level controls allow for changing the spectral shape, the harmonicity and balances the level of residual noise and spectral amount of the oscillator model. F-Domain Filter The newly developed F-Domain filter allow for drastic changes in the resulting sound spectrum. Five filter types including lowpass/highpass characteristic can be used to shape the sound. They have the usual controls like cutoff but also very unusual ones like a variable slope ranging from 0 dB to 72 dB / Octave and independent controls for resonance and bandwidth! This kind of controls are only possible in the context of our F-Domain synthesis technology. This results in an extremely clear filter sound with breathtaking fast modulation possibilities.

The filter type “Inverse” interprets the sound model as a "Source" and a resonant body "Filter". The cutoff parameter shifts the filterbase - this is the equivalent to making the instrument body smaller or bigger. Spatializer This simple control gives your sound a distinctive moving distribution in the stereo panorama. Every atomic sound particle has it´s own path through the space ! Sound browser The sound browser in Poseidon gives you a fast selection of sounds based on category and timbre. Spectral modelling synthesis • Harmonic/Inharmonic/Noise sound models • 512 oscillators per voice • 300 Sound models / 600 factory presets Unique sound control • Pitch modulation / Harmonicity control • Time machine • Timbre control • Frequency Domain Filter • Spatializer Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomiser generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited user arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Effects • Chorus • Phaser • Flanger • Distortion (aliasing free!) • Equalizer • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus 3 compatible (Input slot) • Audio Unit AUv3 • Inter-app audio compatible (Instrument/Generator) • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI / Tempo Sync / MIDI Learn • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Audio pasteboard / File sharing. • Ableton Link support • Bluetooth audio A2DP

About

VAPoly16

This app is a virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer for iOS and Mac. It offers 16 voices, a sequencer, and various audio effects. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AudioUnit Extension.

Highlights
  • 16 voice virtual analog synthesizer
  • Bitimbral sound design
  • Sequencer with piano roll and automation
  • Multiple audio effects (delay, reverb, chorus, etc.)
  • Standalone and AUv3 extension support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
  • Audio file export
Features
Read full description

VAPoly16 is a virtual analog bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features 16 voice synthesizer, effects, sequencer and audio visualization tools. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. The synthesizer consists of two 8 voice synthesizer, which features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, resonant high pass and low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on the Sallen-Key filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and automation editor to program 16 bar pattern per clip. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features Virtual analog 16 voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer Sequencer 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 16 clips. Parameter automation. Audio Export Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. System Requirements For iOS Devices, A10 Fusion or above is recommended. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension.

Screenshots

VAPoly164 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VAPoly16 at 5.0 against Poseidon Synth's 4.0. VAPoly16 also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 59%) and device support (3 vs 1). Poseidon Synth's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $14.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Poseidon Synth costs $7.99 and VAPoly16 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VAPoly16 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Poseidon Synth's written reviews are positive against 100% of VAPoly16's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, VAPoly16 every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Poseidon Synth versus VAPoly16: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPoseidon SynthVAPoly16
Price$7.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.0 (33 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings33 — better13
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size328 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsRyo Togawa

Customer experience

Poseidon Synth

All ratings33 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews51 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral15.7%
Negative25.5%

VAPoly16

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Poseidon Synth

No in-app purchases

None

VAPoly16

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Poseidon Synth free?
Poseidon Synth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPoly16 free?
VAPoly16 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Poseidon Synth or VAPoly16?
VAPoly16 is rated higher. Poseidon Synth averages 4.0 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while VAPoly16 averages 5.0 from 13 ratings.
Do Poseidon Synth or VAPoly16 have ads?
Neither Poseidon Synth nor VAPoly16 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Poseidon Synth or VAPoly16?
Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, and VAPoly16 every 2 months. Most recently, Poseidon Synth was updated on October 7, 2026 and VAPoly16 on October 7, 2026.

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