Comparison

Synth Modes 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

Synth Modes

Quickly access cheat sheets for your eurorack synthesizer modules. Search by text or mode type, favorite pages, and generate patch ideas with the built-in generator. Replaces binders of printed PDFs with a faster, easier-to-use digital reference.

Highlights
  • Cheat sheets for 45+ eurorack modules
  • Search by text or mode type
  • Favorite pages for quick access
  • Patch generator for module ideas
  • Supports multiple firmware versions
  • Replaces printed PDF binders
Features
Read full description

Cheat sheets for your eurorack synthesizer modules, supporting 45 modules: Endorphin.es: Cockpit2 Godspeed Golden Master Milky Way Running Order Squawk Dirty Total Recall Two of Cups Expert Sleepers: - Disting mk4 - Disting mk3 Instruo - Arbhar Intellijel - Shapeshifter Make Noise: - Morphagene - Tempi Mannequins: - Just Friends - W/ Moog Audio: - Mother 32 Mutable Instruments: - Braids (stock and Renaissance firmware) - Clouds (stock and Parasites firmware) - Frames (stock and Parasites) - Marbles - Peaks (stock and Dead Man's Catch) - Plaits - Rings - Stages - Streams - Warps (stock and Parasites) Ornament & Crime: - Stock firmware - Hemisphere Suite Erica Synths: - Blackhole DSP 2 - Pico DSP - Pico Logic - Pico Seq - Pico Voice TipTop Audio: - ECHOZ - ONE - TG ONE - Z5000 - ZVERB XAOC Devices: - Batumi Search by text or mode type to quickly get the most out of your module. Favorite pages for quicker reference. NEW in 2.0 - Patch Generator! SynthModes can generate patch ideas by picking modes for each of your modules. Tap the "Generate Patch" button at the bottom of the mode list. Pull to refresh Patch Generator. Get rid of your binder of printed PDFs, SynthModes is faster and easier to use. Modes for iOS is not officially endorsed or supported by any modular manufacturer.

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

Synth Modes4 screens
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave at Free against Synth Modes's $3.99. Synth Modes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download; Synth Modes costs $3.99 up front. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Synth Modes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Synth Modes against 4.0 for VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 51 and 132 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Synth Modes's written reviews are positive against 51% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synth Modes ships an update every 4 weeks, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Synth Modes versus VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynth ModesVHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (51 ratings)4.0 (132 ratings)
Positive reviews63.8% of reviews — better51.1% of reviews
Number of ratings51132 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB167 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas BurnsAudiobus Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Synth Modes

All ratings51 ratings
Positive78.4%
Neutral7.8%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive63.8%
Neutral20.7%
Negative15.5%

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

All ratings132 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative22.0%
Written reviews88 reviews
Positive51.1%
Neutral11.4%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

Synth Modes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

None

Synth Modes

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly premium$2.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Synth Modes free?
Synth Modes costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Synth Modes or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Synth Modes and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave are both rated 4.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 51 and 132 ratings respectively.
Do Synth Modes or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; Synth Modes does not.
Which is updated more often, Synth Modes or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Synth Modes ships an update every 4 weeks, and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Most recently, Synth Modes was updated on September 29, 2026 and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave on September 26, 2026.

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