JAF Collection vs VAPolyMkII
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JAF Collection
This audio effects collection offers digital models of classic analog synthesizer filters for iOS devices. It provides professional analog sound and optimized touchscreen interaction, functioning as standalone apps or Audio Units within other hosts.
- Digital models of classic analog synthesizer filters
- Optimized for touchscreen interaction
- Standalone host applications included
- Audio Units (AU) plugin support
- Unison oscillator section for testing and live performance
- MIDI connectivity and control
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The JAF Collection is an exciting set of digital modeled classic analog synthesizer filters (VCFs) for iOS. The emphasis of this collection of audio effects is professional analog sounding and optimized behavior with touchscreen usage. The collection is exclusively available on Apple devices. The apps and the included Audio Units are “universal”, so they work on iPhones and iPads the same way and also have basically the same appearance and functionality. Note: These apps are so-called “Audio Units” (aka plugins), which usually require hosting audio applications to operate. Although, they come with their own basic host applications, which include for instance Core MIDI connectivity and microphone input, to use the filters out of the box, like external hardware devices, without requiring another host application. The JAF Collection Filters can also act as a synthesizer module due to the fact, that there is an unison oscillator section (VCOs) built in for testing and for live performances. The analog modeled synthesizer has no advanced controls or modulators. It just runs the oscillators continuously and can be controlled by external MIDI messages to snap to MIDI pitches or being automated with the volume controller. The complete MIDI assignment is documented in the MIDI Implementation Chart for the JAF Collection, which is embedded into the main app.
VAPolyMkII
This virtual analog synthesizer offers a 16-voice bitimbral polyphonic sound engine with two distinct filter models and extensive modulation options. It includes a built-in sequencer, various effects, and supports AudioUnit Extension for integration with DAWs. Projects can be synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud.
- 16-voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer
- Two analog-modeled filter types
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Built-in piano roll sequencer
- Multiple audio effects
- AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
- iCloud Drive project syncing
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VAPolyMkII is a virtual analog bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features 16 voice synthesizer, effects, sequencer and audio visualization tools. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. The synthesizer consists of two 8 voice synthesizer, which features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, resonant high pass and low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on the Sallen-Key filter circuit and cascaded OTA filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and parameter automation editor to program 16 bar pattern per clip. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. - Main Features - Virtual analog 16 voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer Two type of Lowpass filter, cascaded OTA model and Sallen-key model. Patch points for modulation. Support MIDI 2.0 New User Interface built by SwiftUI for improved performance. Built-in Sequencer. 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 8 clips. Piano Roll and Parameter automation. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - System Requirements - A13 Fusion or above is recommended. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: VAPolyMkII at $3.99 against JAF Collection's $12.99. JAF Collection's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (87% vs 67%). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads 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
JAF Collection costs $12.99 and VAPolyMkII $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
JAF Collection holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of JAF Collection's written reviews are positive against 67% of VAPolyMkII's.
JAF Collection ships an update every 9 days, VAPolyMkII weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JAF Collection | VAPolyMkII |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (20 ratings) — better | 4.5 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.7% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jens Guell | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
JAF Collection
VAPolyMkII
In-app purchases
JAF Collection
No in-app purchases
VAPolyMkII
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is JAF Collection free?
Is VAPolyMkII free?
Which has better reviews, JAF Collection or VAPolyMkII?
Do JAF Collection or VAPolyMkII have ads?
Which is updated more often, JAF Collection or VAPolyMkII?
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