# SmashCut Visual Synth vs VS

The clearest difference is price: SmashCut Visual Synth at Free against VS's $24.99. SmashCut Visual Synth also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). VS's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 40 months) and ratings volume (125 vs 14). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

SmashCut Visual Synth is free to download; VS costs $24.99 up front. SmashCut Visual Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and VS sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SmashCut Visual Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VS has 125 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of SmashCut Visual Synth's written reviews are positive against 80% of VS's.

SmashCut Visual Synth ships an update every 40 months, VS every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmashCut Visual Synth | VS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $24.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smashcut-visual-synth/id1493237895/reviews)** | [4.6 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vs-visual-synthesizer/id1560330289/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **125** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 80.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 40 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 787 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Secret Base Design](https://appshunter.io/developer/413007812) | [Imaginando Lda](https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015) |

## What reviewers say

### SmashCut Visual Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smashcut-visual-synth/id1493237895)

Control video playback and transformations using MIDI messages, similar to how musicians control audio samplers. Set cue points, trigger playback, and manipulate video in real-time for presentations, live streaming, or creative video art.

**Highlights:** Load and cue video from camera roll, Control playback with MIDI notes, Transform video with MIDI CC messages, Built-in MIDI controller for second device, Wi-Fi based device connection, Universal app for iOS and Mac

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Watermark Removal | Free | one-time |


### VS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vs-visual-synthesizer/id1560330289)

Generate dynamic, audio-reactive visuals for your music projects. This app offers extensive customization with layers, shaders, images, and video, allowing you to perform visuals live or record them for your tracks. Integrate seamlessly with DAWs and external displays.

**Highlights:** 8 polyphonic visual layers, Shader, image, and video materials, Modulation matrix, AUv3 plugin support, Live performance output, Built-in video recorder, Custom shader editor

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Retina Refill Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Textural Memories Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Cyber Spells Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Retro Riot Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Raw Reflections Preset Pack | $17.99 | one-time |
| Noir Cuts Preset Packs | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Awesome audiovisual workflow
- 💡 Powerful yet easy to use
- 🎨 Great for getting vibes out
- 🌟 Expands musical aspirations visually
- 🎛️ Easy to work with (Imaginando apps)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No elegant way for live synchronized video out
- 🔌 Popout to external displays only in standalone app
- 🚫 Standalone app can't run in background
- 🎛️ Doesn't work well plugged into looper or DAW
- ❌ Not fun at all

**Reported bugs**

- No elegant way to get live synchronized video out
- Popout to external displays only in standalone app, which can’t run in background
- Video record export issue: videos are 30+ minutes when recorded for shorter duration
- NDI stream not working
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Integrate an audio tool for Spotify/other audio sources
- Allow using any graphic or photo content as a layer
- Hope for Metal rendering for super performance shaders
- More ways to interact between layers (displacement, feedback)
- Post-processing effects (luma key, feedback, kaleidoscope, mirror)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmashCut Visual Synth free?

SmashCut Visual Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is VS free?

VS costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SmashCut Visual Synth or VS?

SmashCut Visual Synth is rated higher. SmashCut Visual Synth averages 4.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while VS averages 4.6 from 125 ratings.

### Do SmashCut Visual Synth or VS have ads?

Neither SmashCut Visual Synth nor VS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmashCut Visual Synth or VS?

SmashCut Visual Synth ships an update every 40 months, and VS every 6 weeks. Most recently, SmashCut Visual Synth was updated on September 30, 2026 and VS on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*