# STEPS vs VS

The clearest difference is price: STEPS at $0.99 against VS's $24.99. STEPS also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). VS's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (80% vs 56%). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

STEPS costs $0.99 and VS $24.99 up front. VS sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. STEPS asks for nothing beyond the download.

VS holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VS has 125 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of STEPS's written reviews are positive against 80% of VS's.

STEPS ships an update every 3 weeks, VS every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | STEPS | VS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $24.99 |
| Rating | [3.9 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-midi-sequencer/id1224149283/reviews) | **[4.6 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vs-visual-synthesizer/id1560330289/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **125** |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | **80.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 7 MB | 787 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Reactable Systems SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/381127669) | [Imaginando Lda](https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015) |

## What reviewers say

### STEPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-midi-sequencer/id1224149283)

Create complex rhythmic patterns with this powerful MIDI sequencer. Control any MIDI-compatible app, send MIDI over network, and synchronize external hardware synths. Features a user-friendly interface for seamless performance and editing.

**Highlights:** MIDI-out system, Bluetooth LE MIDI support, Audiobus 3 support, External hardware synchronization, Performance and editing modes, Ableton Link integration, Global swing and BPM control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### VS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vs-visual-synthesizer/id1560330289)

Generate dynamic, audio-reactive visuals for your music projects. This app offers extensive customization with layers, shaders, images, and video, allowing you to perform visuals live or record them for your tracks. Integrate seamlessly with DAWs and external displays.

**Highlights:** 8 polyphonic visual layers, Shader, image, and video materials, Modulation matrix, AUv3 plugin support, Live performance output, Built-in video recorder, Custom shader editor

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Retina Refill Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Textural Memories Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Cyber Spells Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Retro Riot Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Raw Reflections Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Noir Cuts Preset Packs | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Awesome audiovisual workflow
- 💡 Powerful yet easy to use
- 🎨 Great for getting vibes out
- 🌟 Expands musical aspirations visually
- 🎛️ Easy to work with (Imaginando apps)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No elegant way for live synchronized video out
- 🔌 Popout to external displays only in standalone app
- 🚫 Standalone app can't run in background
- 🎛️ Doesn't work well plugged into looper or DAW
- ❌ Not fun at all

**Reported bugs**

- No elegant way to get live synchronized video out
- Popout to external displays only in standalone app, which can’t run in background
- Video record export issue: videos are 30+ minutes when recorded for shorter duration
- NDI stream not working
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Integrate an audio tool for Spotify/other audio sources
- Allow using any graphic or photo content as a layer
- Hope for Metal rendering for super performance shaders
- More ways to interact between layers (displacement, feedback)
- Post-processing effects (luma key, feedback, kaleidoscope, mirror)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is STEPS free?

STEPS costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VS free?

VS costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, STEPS or VS?

VS is rated higher. STEPS averages 3.9 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while VS averages 4.6 from 125 ratings.

### Do STEPS or VS have ads?

Neither STEPS nor VS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, STEPS or VS?

STEPS ships an update every 3 weeks, and VS every 6 weeks. Most recently, STEPS was updated on September 24, 2026 and VS on September 28, 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.*