Comparison

Mellowsound vs VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

Mellowsound4 screens
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Mellowsound versus VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMellowsoundVHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (237 ratings) — better4.0 (135 ratings)
Positive reviews60.5% of reviews — better51.5% of reviews
Number of ratings237 — better135
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size899 MB167 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFingerlabAudiobus Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Mellowsound

All ratings237 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral3.0%
Negative13.5%
Written reviews177 reviews
Positive60.5%
Neutral11.9%
Negative27.7%

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

All ratings135 ratings
Positive73.3%
Neutral5.9%
Negative20.7%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive51.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative38.1%

User reviews

Mellowsound

From 237 App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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 more
  • 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 more
  • Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback
  • Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Mellowsound

One-time2
  • Chamberlin Instruments Pack$8.99
  • Full Version$9.99
4 purchases

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly premium$4.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Mellowsound free?
Mellowsound is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mellowsound or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Mellowsound is rated higher. Mellowsound averages 4.3 out of 5 from 237 ratings, while VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 from 135 ratings.
Do Mellowsound or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; Mellowsound does not.
Which is updated more often, Mellowsound or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Mellowsound ships an update every 4 weeks, and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Most recently, Mellowsound was updated on November 4, 2026 and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave on November 3, 2026.

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