mood vs VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
mood
This app offers a personal interpretation of a legendary analog synthesizer, providing immense sonic ability and a captivating sense of discovery. It includes a wide array of features expected in a top-tier iOS instrument app, allowing for deep sound design and musical exploration.
- Audiounit v3 support
- Audiobus and Inter-App Audio
- Sample WARP and FM Module
- Multiple Oscillators
- VCF Filter Ladder
- Mono or Polyphonic modes
- MIDI and Ableton Link support
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mood - A personal interpretation of the legendary Analog Synthesizer by Eugenio Giordani Jordan Rudess says: The Mood synth has immense sonic ability. It has captivated my imagination and sense of discovery. In usual apeSoft form, it also has all the features that one expects in a top notch IOS instrument app. Features: ° Audiounit v3 ° Audiobus and Inter-App Audio Sender/Filter ° Audiobus 3 MIDI support ° Share Presets and Samples between App and AUv3 ° iOS Universal ° 3 Oscillators ° Noise Generator with own envelope ° Sample WARP ° FM Module ° Input Source Processing ° VCF Filter Ladder 24db per octave ° ADSR VCA ° Mono or 16 voices Polyphonic ° Keyboard Tracking and Control ° Keyboard Ribbon Style ° XLFO 7 shapes + Sequencer ° Classical/Vintage Reverberator ° Stereo Delay ° Ring Modulator ° Distort Output ° Full Parameters MIDI/LFO/Accelerometer mapping ° Presets Interpolation Pad ° MIDI Clock and Ableton Link ° Record to .wav file ° AudioCopy/Audioshare/Open In... etc...
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
This app creates unique synth sounds by recording classic synths to VHS tape and then resampling them. It offers a vast library of presets and effects to achieve lo-fi, retro vibes for various music genres. An AUv3 plugin and standalone app are included.
- VHS-recorded and resampled synths
- Over 280+ presets
- Standalone app and AUv3 plugin
- VCR sound effects
- VCR FX section for customization
- Free expansion pack included
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VHS Synth features synths recorded with a VCR, then resampled. Perfect for Synthwave, Hip Hop, Indie, Rock, Movie Soundtracks, Lo-Fi, Ambient, Vaporwave, Retro Pop, and more. Create instant lo-fi and cool retro vibes. Press a key. Elevate your music. Includes over 280+ Presets by Jakob haQ, Red Sky Lullaby, The GarageBand Guide, DJ Puzzle, Sound of Izrael, DJ Montra, Marc Hupkens, AnalogMatthew, JEC, Da Fingaz, Brian Funk, and more. "BEST Lo-Fi instrument I’ve ever played, seriously good sounds!" - The SoundTest Room "VHS Synth is a Retrowave dream!" - iPad Loops "Turns Your iOS Device Into An 80s Time Machine" - Synthtopia Classic Synths were recorded to VHS Tape with a VCR, then re-sampled. "VHS Synth is the ULTIMATE Retro Synth App" - The GarageBand Guide FEATURES: • Standalone app + iOS AUv3 Plugin • Over 280+ presets to inspire you • Compressed to under 140mb to save space • VCR Sound Effects (Buttons, Tape Hiss, More) • VCR FX section to customize the sounds • FREE Expansion Pack: OP-1 recorded with a VCR ++ iPhone & iPad version included for one low price Real analog feel and dirt. Vintage hardware was recorded into a VCR and then re-sampled. Subscribe to access to premium app features; subscription details are the following: - Length: weekly or yearly - Free trial: only on selected subscriptions - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a0880aca270f4f8ccee8d3e?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a0880aca270f4f8ccee8d3e?pvs=21) Privacy Policy: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a088019bec6ccb33ae5bb09?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a088019bec6ccb33ae5bb09?pvs=21) * NOTE: This app has no official affiliation with AudioKit Pro, LLC. It was built using the free AudioKit source code.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave at Free against mood's $12.99. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave also leads on iOS requirement (14.5 vs 17.0). mood's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ratings volume, update cadence and device support 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
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download; mood costs $12.99 up front. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. mood asks for nothing beyond the download.
mood holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 132 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of mood's written reviews are positive against 51% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.
mood ships an update every 3 weeks, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | mood | VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (87 ratings) — better | 4.0 (132 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 51.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 87 | 132 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 14.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 167 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Audiobus Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
mood
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
User reviews
mood
From 87 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎶 Great sound quality
- 🎵 Warm and punchy tones
- 🎹 Excellent Minimoog emulation
- 💡 Versatile sound design capabilities
- 🎛️ Deep modulation options (LFOs)
Room to improve
- 📱 Poor AUv3 interface
- ⌨️ Unhideable keyboard in AUv3
- 🎛️ Cramped controls in AUv3
- 🎛️ Too many pages/flipping in AUv3
- 🎛️ No birds-eye overview in AUv3
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
From 132 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎵 Excellent lo-fi and retro 80s sound quality
- 🎹 Extensive library of high-quality presets
- 💰 Affordable pricing (at original purchase)
- 🎨 Intuitive and clean interface design
- 🔊 Versatile sounds for multiple genres
Room to improve
- 💸 Aggressive subscription model for previously purchased app
- 🔄 Conversion from AudioKit broke existing projects
- 📊 User data tracking added without clear benefit
- 🚫 Removed access to previously purchased presets/banks
- 😠 Lack of developer communication about changes
Bugs and requests
mood
Reported bugs
7 issues- Filter FM does not work properly at audio rates
- App intercepts GarageBand audio output file
- App mutes notes during playback in BeatMaker3
- Some presets require audio files that are missing
- Note hangs and crashes in AUM
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- Sample playback quality is low and cannot be disabled
- Filter can get smeary especially when using polyphony
Requested features
10 requests- Add MPE Support
- Update for iPadOS 26 compatibility
- Option to show/hide keyboard in AUv3
- Option to show/hide keyboard partially in AUv3
- More LFOs and envelopes
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Modern VCF/VCA envelope options (e.g., loop, delay, hold)
- Dark mode option
- More presets
- Favorite mode for presets
- Polyphonic granular sample section
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Reported bugs
11 issues- GarageBand compatibility broken after updates
- App not recognized in Logic Pro after updates
- Inconsistent sound quality across different registers
- Patch/preset settings not retained after closing DAW
- Audio Unit Extension crashes in GarageBand
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- Duplicate track sounds different from original
- Display shows 'Welcome' instead of loaded patch
- Thin black keys difficult to hit on keyboard
- Missing top C key on keyboard
- Sounds inconsistent when exported from GarageBand
- App disappears from projects after ownership change
Requested features
7 requests- Mac OS version for DAW compatibility
- Velocity sensitivity settings for keyboard
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels with actual functionality
- Better keyboard design with proper key sizing
- Improved UI layout to reduce wasted space in AUv3 mode
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- Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback
- Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile
In-app purchases
mood
No in-app purchases
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Weekly premium$4.997 Days
- Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Questions
Is mood free?
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
Which has better reviews, mood or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Do mood or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
Which is updated more often, mood or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
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