Nightwave Plaza vs VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Nightwave Plaza
Immerse yourself in the Vaporwave genre with a 24/7 radio station featuring global artists. Enjoy a nostalgic interface, customizable backgrounds, and an ad-free listening experience perfect for relaxation or focus.
- 24/7 Vaporwave radio station
- Global artist database
- No advertisements between tracks
- 58+ aesthetic background GIFs
- Nostalgic user interface
- Artist support page
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The Nightwave Plaza - a place to indulge yourself with the top aesthetic musical talents of the Vaporwave genre. You’ve used the website, but now it is time to escape into a world of nostalgia and dreams with the Nightwave Plaza iOS app. Featuring a beautiful, constantly updated database of Vaporwave artists across the globe, the 24/7 radio station prides itself with its no after-track advertisements and full support page for all artists and producers trying to find an audience. Whether you’re reading a book; dreaming of nostalgic times on the long commute home from work; or walking through the rainy city enduring the night-life; there’s always room in the Nightwave Plaza. Extended Features: 58+ different aesthetic background gifs to choose from. Simplistic, nostalgic user interface. No advertisement breaks between tracks. Guaranteed relaxation. All inquiries regarding Nightwave Plaza, including bug reports & requests, can be addressed to mail@plaza.one or via official twitter @nightwaveplaza.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Nightwave Plaza at 4.7 against VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's 4.0. Nightwave Plaza also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 52%) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Nightwave Plaza asks for nothing beyond the download.
Nightwave Plaza holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 182 and 135 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Nightwave Plaza's written reviews are positive against 52% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.
Nightwave Plaza ships an update every 7 months, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | Nightwave Plaza | VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (182 ratings) — better | 4.0 (135 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.1% of reviews — better | 51.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 182 — better | 135 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 14.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 167 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aleksandr Morozov | Audiobus Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
Nightwave Plaza
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
User reviews
Nightwave Plaza
From 182 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🌟 Excellent music selection
- 👍 Customizable aesthetics
- 🎨 Nostalgic, retro-inspired design
- 💎 High-quality, ad-free experience
- 🕰️ Relaxing, ambient vibe
Room to improve
- 🐛 Playback issues (stops randomly, lags)
- ⚠️ Login/account problems (can't log in, save favorites)
- 🔧 Bugs and stability concerns
- 🔍 Limited functionality (no search, skip, etc.)
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
From 135 App Store ratingsWhat 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
Nightwave Plaza
Reported bugs
4 issues- Can't log in from within the app
- Favorites/history not working properly
- Music playback randomly stopping
- Appearance settings not functioning as expected
Requested features
5 requests- Chat feature for community interaction
- Ability to save full tracks
- Chromecast/AirPlay support
- More customization options (wallpapers, etc.)
- Improved login/account management
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
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- 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
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- Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback
- Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile
In-app purchases
Nightwave Plaza
No in-app purchases
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Weekly premium$4.997 Days
- Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Questions
Is Nightwave Plaza free?
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
Which has better reviews, Nightwave Plaza or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Do Nightwave Plaza or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
Which is updated more often, Nightwave Plaza or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
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