Comparison

Pocket Talkbox Lite 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

Pocket Talkbox Lite

Explore the unique sound of a talk box with this music app. Learn to shape notes into words by manipulating your mouth around the speaker, creating vocal-like effects without changing your voice. It's a fun, practice-based instrument for musical experimentation.

Highlights
  • One octave major scale talk box tone
  • Shape notes into words with mouth movement
  • Simulates wah-wah effects
  • Includes a tutorial video link
  • Practice-based musical instrument
Features
Read full description

This is a lite version of Pocket Talkbox, offering one octave of the famous talk box tone, set to a major scale. Learn the fun and unusual technique of shaping notes into words, just by moving your mouth around the speaker. A talkbox is NOT a voice changer so please tap or see the TUTORIAL if it's your first time. TUTORIAL: https://youtu.be/xw74j9egoEM Play a tune or a tone, pointing the speaker directly into your mouth. The SHAPE OF YOUR MOUTH creates the effect (not your voice). Try giving the keyboard a wah-wah effect by mouthing (not speaking) "wah-wah-wah" over the speaker. PRO TIP: Point the SPEAKER (not the microphone) into your mouth while you play the notes. Move your mouth but DO NOT USE YOUR VOICE! Every musical instrument takes a certain amount of practice and this is one of them. Please make an effort to understand how it works before saying it doesn't. Have fun! For more info and tutorials, please visit http://vbiliti.com/pockettalkbox

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

Pocket Talkbox Lite3 screens
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave at 4.0 against Pocket Talkbox Lite's 3.0. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (132 vs 23). Pocket Talkbox Lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment 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

Both are free to download. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Pocket Talkbox Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave has 132 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Pocket Talkbox Lite's written reviews are positive against 51% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pocket Talkbox Lite ships an update every 9 months, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pocket Talkbox Lite versus VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocket Talkbox LiteVHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (23 ratings)4.0 (132 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews51.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23132 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB167 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVito BilitiAudiobus Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Pocket Talkbox Lite

All ratings23 ratings
Positive52.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative47.8%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative45.0%

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

Pocket Talkbox Lite

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

Pocket Talkbox Lite

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly premium$4.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Pocket Talkbox Lite free?
Pocket Talkbox Lite is free to download, 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, Pocket Talkbox Lite or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is rated higher. Pocket Talkbox Lite averages 3.0 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 from 132 ratings.
Do Pocket Talkbox Lite or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; Pocket Talkbox Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, Pocket Talkbox Lite or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Pocket Talkbox Lite ships an update every 9 months, and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Most recently, Pocket Talkbox Lite was updated on October 21, 2026 and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave on October 18, 2026.

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