Warm Distortion vs VariSpeed
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Warm Distortion
This app provides a real-time distortion audio effect designed for instruments like guitars and drums. It offers unique algorithms for a natural tube sound, clearing hiss and adding artificial feedback. It functions as an Audio Unit plugin or a standalone effect.
- Unique distortion algorithms
- Natural tube sound emulation
- Hiss clearing slider
- Master reverb
- Camera-controlled feedback
- Built-in noise gate
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Warm Distortion is real time distortion audio effect. It is a non linear distortion that works great with guitars, drums and other instruments. It clears the “hiss” sounds just like real tube amplifier. All algorithms are unique, created and designed for nice distortion effect. The app works as an Audio Unit plugin and can also be used as stand alone real time effect via the device microphone or using iRig or similar device. Features: - Unique distortion algorithms with natural tube sound - Gain - Level - Smoothie (hiss clearing magic slider) - Reverb (master reverb) + Camera controlled artificial feedback in standalone mode and built in noise gate. Just move your hand over the front camera to create feedback If you play acoustic instrument you can use headphones without a mic and put the phone close to your instrument so the app will work as realtime effect.
VariSpeed
This app simulates a classic tape echo machine, replicating the functionality of a specific vintage hardware unit. It allows for variable delay times by altering the speed of the tape mechanism.
- Classic tape echo simulation
- Variable delay time
- AUv3 plugin compatibility
- Replicates vintage hardware
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Please note: this is an AUv3 plugin that can be used with compatible host Apps. GSi VariSpeed is a simulation of the WEM Copicat IC-400 Belt Drive VariSpeed model, the first tape echo machine made by WEM with a DC capstan motor capable of changing speed, thus varying the delay time. GSi VariSpeed replicates the hardware instrument “as is” with all its pros and cons, without any additional feature. This can be considered as the second chapter of a tribute to the genius of Mr. Charlie Watkins that GSi began back in 2008 with the release of the freeware "WatKat", which was a simulation of the "Custom Copicat".
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: VariSpeed at 100% against Warm Distortion's 0%. VariSpeed also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). Warm Distortion's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $11.99) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 41 months). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Warm Distortion costs $1.99 and VariSpeed $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VariSpeed holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VariSpeed has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Warm Distortion's written reviews are positive against 100% of VariSpeed's.
Warm Distortion ships an update every 6 months, VariSpeed every 41 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Warm Distortion | VariSpeed |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $11.99 |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 8 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months — better | Every 41 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aleksandar Mlazev | Genuine Soundware |
Customer experience
Warm Distortion
VariSpeed
In-app purchases
Warm Distortion
No in-app purchases
VariSpeed
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Warm Distortion free?
Is VariSpeed free?
Which has better reviews, Warm Distortion or VariSpeed?
Do Warm Distortion or VariSpeed have ads?
Which is updated more often, Warm Distortion or VariSpeed?
Other comparisons
