# ButterSynth vs VS

The clearest difference is rating: VS at 4.6 against ButterSynth's 4.0. VS also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 59%). ButterSynth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and price ($19.99 vs $24.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

ButterSynth costs $19.99 and VS $24.99 up front. VS sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. ButterSynth asks for nothing beyond the download.

VS holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 63 and 125 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of ButterSynth's written reviews are positive against 80% of VS's.

ButterSynth ships an update every 2 months, VS every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ButterSynth | VS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$19.99** | $24.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buttersynth/id1497419006/reviews) | **[4.6 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vs-visual-synthesizer/id1560330289/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 63 | **125** |
| Positive reviews | 59.2% of reviews | **80.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 468 MB | 787 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Arto Vaarala](https://appshunter.io/developer/890886114) | [Imaginando Lda](https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015) |

## What reviewers say

### ButterSynth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buttersynth/id1497419006)

This powerful synthesizer app offers a hybrid approach, combining wavetable, FM, and sample-based synthesis. Create unique sounds with a vast sonic range, advanced modulation, and a built-in effects rack. It caters to both experienced sound designers and beginners with extensive presets.

**Highlights:** Hybrid 6-oscillator synthesis (wavetable, FM, sample), Built-in wavetable editor, FM engine with 4 operators, Sample and Granulator engines, 32-slot modulation matrix, Internal FX rack with 16 modules, Extensive preset library

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Deep sound design capabilities
- 🎛️ Versatile modulation matrix
- 🔊 Great sound quality
- 💡 Innovative wavetable generator
- 🌟 Serum-like experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📱 Fiddly on small screens
- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Disappears in Cubasis
- 🐛 Spikes CPU usage
- 🐛 Crashes on patch change

**Reported bugs**

- App crashing with AUM
- Disappears in Cubasis randomly
- Crashes all the time inside Logic
- Changing a patch spikes CPU to 99%
- Crashes on every patch change

**Requested features**

- MPE popup possible on top of the auv3
- Button to hide built-in keyboard
- Buffer size option
- Additional MIDI mappings (e.g., arpeggiator toggle)
- Sustain pedal support


### 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 ButterSynth free?

ButterSynth costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ButterSynth or VS?

VS is rated higher. ButterSynth averages 4.0 out of 5 from 63 ratings, while VS averages 4.6 from 125 ratings.

### Do ButterSynth or VS have ads?

Neither ButterSynth nor VS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ButterSynth or VS?

ButterSynth ships an update every 2 months, and VS every 6 weeks. Most recently, ButterSynth was updated on October 21, 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.*