Comparison

C.ARP 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

C.ARP

This app offers a unique approach to music creation, inspired by vintage instruments. It allows users to play chords and melodies with intuitive touch controls, apply real-time audio effects, and utilize a dynamic rhythm section. Advanced features include sampling, MIDI output via Bluetooth, and an iPad-optimized interface.

Highlights
  • Chord and melody playing
  • Real-time audio effects
  • Dynamic rhythm section
  • Sampling and looping
  • MIDI output via Bluetooth
  • iPad optimized interface
  • In-app tutorial
Features
Read full description

C.ARP is a totally different keyboard. Inspired by old keyboards, omnichords and tape effects, it lets you play chords and melodies as well. Its design makes everything easier for a musician who just wants to play on mobile. Just hold on a button and then swipe or tap on the right section. But if you prefer, you can access chords and notes directly on the notes grid. Pitch them, harmonize, use mod wheel and apply real-time audio effects too. Rhythm section follows you every chord you choose: pick up the style you prefer, adjust BPMs, mute other instrument, change different midi settings, change drums and play them with drum pads. Do arpeggios with different sounds and rhythmic fractions, create different sound environments with delay, reverb and rotation. The design has also been updated for iPads, so you can enjoy the buttons and sections rearranged for the screen size. Record your voice or everything else as a sample, adjust its length, reverse or loop it, make chords and melodies with it and explore other cool features on this 4th version. There's also a tutorial inside! And finally: we added bluetooth out. It means you can connect your iPhone to your Mac and send midi notes right in your preferred DAW. Just follow the guide inside. Thanks to everyone who helped me: Giacomo, Virginia, Mattia, Andrea, Giulia, Cristiano, and the others. Thanks to the masters Suriani, Frankie and Calcutta. For every question or suggestion don't hesitate to write to me

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

C.ARP4 screens
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave at Free against C.ARP's $9.99. C.ARP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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; C.ARP costs $9.99 up front. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. C.ARP asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

C.ARP holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 114 and 132 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of C.ARP's written reviews are positive against 51% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

C.ARP ships an update every 4 weeks, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
C.ARP versus VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterC.ARPVHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (114 ratings) — better4.0 (132 ratings)
Positive reviews74.3% of reviews — better51.1% of reviews
Number of ratings114132 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB167 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaolo GiorgiAudiobus Pty Ltd

Customer experience

C.ARP

All ratings114 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral5.3%
Negative13.2%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive74.3%
Neutral8.8%
Negative16.8%

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

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

User reviews

C.ARP

From 114 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎶 Authentic omnichord sound
  • 💡 Great for learning music theory
  • 🤩 Fun and enjoyable to use
  • 📱 Accessible on mobile devices
  • 💰 Affordable alternative to real omnichord

Room to improve

  • 🔊 No sound issue
  • 💥 Frequent crashes
  • 🤔 Confusing interface/menus
  • 🐌 Slow UI responsiveness
  • 🎚️ Limited sound design options

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

From 132 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

C.ARP

Reported bugs

40 issues
  • Sound doesn't work
  • No sound
  • App crashes when opening
  • App crashes when trying to open
  • App auto-quits on start
Show 35 more
  • Chord panel smaller after update
  • System setting always out
  • App crashes after using only once
  • App crashes when pressing a button
  • MIDI Send is broken
  • Can't open the app on Mac
  • Can't close the menu
  • App crashes if sample button is pressed
  • Sample button crashes the app
  • Strumming doesn't work
  • App crashes when sample or reverse is pressed
  • App is not stable / crashy
  • Sampling function is DOA
  • Sampler doesn't work / crashes
  • Crash problem
  • Send midi function greyed out
  • App crashes when pressing the red sample button
  • Sampler crashes the app 100%
  • App crashes when attempting to use record feature
  • Sample button keeps crashing the app
  • Record, loop, or reverse buttons cause crash
  • Bugs related to recording/sampling
  • Sampler may crash
  • Audio panel covers gear button
  • E chord is extremely low octave and sounds muddled
  • App crashes when trying to start an audio recording
  • Certain audio glitches with recording and looping
  • Buttons crash the app
  • App crashes when pressing the sample button
  • Sample and reverse buttons crash the app
  • MIDI out doesn't seem to work
  • Latency is a killer
  • Chord doesn't trigger if not hit perfectly
  • Sliding finger doesn't sound chord
  • Sound can be tinny/harsh

Requested features

18 requests
  • Rearrange layout to be chromatic
  • AUV3 support
  • Inter-app-audio / GarageBand integration
  • MIDI out functionality
  • Save last state
Show 13 more
  • Contextual help menus
  • More sound design options
  • Make it an Auv3 midi controller
  • Support iPad
  • Add "midi out" option
  • Make it an audio app extension for GarageBand
  • Add a way to use this app as a Bluetooth midi controller
  • Add a visual distinction for individual buttons
  • Add velocity on the strum bar
  • Allow autoplay chord to hold like a drone
  • Transpose reverb of strummed notes
  • Add midi connectivity with external devices and other apps
  • Add custom colors for themes

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

C.ARP

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 C.ARP free?
C.ARP costs $9.99, 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, C.ARP or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
C.ARP is rated higher. C.ARP averages 4.3 out of 5 from 114 ratings, while VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 from 132 ratings.
Do C.ARP or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; C.ARP does not.
Which is updated more often, C.ARP or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
C.ARP ships an update every 4 weeks, and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Most recently, C.ARP was updated on September 22, 2026 and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave on September 17, 2026.

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