Mellowsound vs VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mellowsound
Experience the iconic sounds of a 1960s keyboard sampler with this app. It offers professional audio quality, allowing you to play vintage orchestra sounds on your device. Customize your sound with various effects and recording options.
- Authentic Mellotron emulation
- Professional 16-bit/44.1Khz audio
- Photo-realistic user interface
- Blend mode for two instruments
- MIDI and Audio Unit support
- In-app purchases for more instruments and FX
Read full descriptionHide full description
Play the iconic Mellotron keyboard sampler heard on The Beatles, Radiohead and King Crimson records — now on your iPhone, iPad & Mac. Mellowsound is built from real recordings of our own Mellotron M400, sampled note by note across all instrument tapes. Every sound is authentic, every detail is preserved. Professional audio quality — 16bit / 44.1kHz Photo-realistic vintage interface AUv3 Audio Unit — plug into any DAW or AUM FREE VERSION includes: • 3 instruments: Flute, Clarinet & Sax • Blend mode: play two instruments simultaneously • Full Mixer, Metronome • MIDI & MIDI Mapping • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) FULL VERSION (IAP) includes: • 18 Mellotron instruments: Strings, Piano, Flute, Guitar, Vibraphone and more • User Presets • ADSR Envelope • 6 FX: Tube Amp, Tremolo, Chorus, Pitch-shifter, Delay & Reverb • Live Recording CHAMBERLIN PACK (IAP) includes: • 18 additional instruments: Brass, Pizzicato Violins, Cello, Harpsichord and more Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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 monetization model: Mellowsound at free with in-app purchases against VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's subscription. Mellowsound also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Mellowsound sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Mellowsound holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 237 and 135 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Mellowsound's written reviews are positive against 52% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.
Mellowsound ships an update every 4 weeks, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mellowsound | VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (237 ratings) — better | 4.0 (135 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.5% of reviews — better | 51.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 237 — better | 135 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 14.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 899 MB | 167 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Fingerlab | Audiobus Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
Mellowsound
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
User reviews
Mellowsound
From 237 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎹 Authentic Mellotron sounds
- 🔊 Great sound quality
- 🎨 Nice visual design
- 💸 Good value for money
- 🔌 Integrates well with other apps
Room to improve
- 🔇 Limited free version
- 🔒 Paywall for full functionality
- 🎹 Keyboard range limited to 3 octaves
- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔋 High battery drain
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
From 135 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
Mellowsound
Reported bugs
3 issues- Incompatibility with some iOS versions and devices
- Issues with Inter-App Audio and AUv3 functionality
- Keyboard not responsive or disappearing
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to blend/layer multiple instruments
- Expanded sound library with more Mellotron presets
- Sustain pedal support
- MIDI channel selection
- Improved performance in DAWs
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
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- 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
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback
- Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile
In-app purchases
Mellowsound
- Chamberlin Instruments Pack$8.99
- Full Version$9.99
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 Mellowsound free?
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
Which has better reviews, Mellowsound or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Do Mellowsound or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mellowsound or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Other comparisons















