# VS vs OtherDesertCities

The clearest difference is price: OtherDesertCities at $6.99 against VS's $24.99. OtherDesertCities also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

VS costs $24.99 and OtherDesertCities $6.99 up front. VS sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. OtherDesertCities asks for nothing beyond the download.

OtherDesertCities holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 125 and 59 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of VS's written reviews are positive against 86% of OtherDesertCities's.

VS ships an update every 6 weeks, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VS | OtherDesertCities |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $24.99 | **$6.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vs-visual-synthesizer/id1560330289/reviews) | **[4.8 (59 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/otherdesertcities/id1577986447/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **125** | 59 |
| Positive reviews | 80.4% of reviews | **86.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #187 | **#184** |
| Size | 787 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Imaginando Lda](https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015) | [Audio Damage, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248448317) |

## What reviewers say

### VS

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

**Currently charting:** #187 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

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)


### OtherDesertCities

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/otherdesertcities/id1577986447)

**Currently charting:** #184 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Explore a versatile audio effect with six unique delay algorithms, offering everything from classic stereo delays to experimental granular pitch-shifting. Extensive modulation and I/O controls allow for deep sonic manipulation and creative sound design.

**Highlights:** Six unique delay algorithms, Extensive modulation capabilities, Tempo-synced LFOs, Envelope follower, Diffusor for feedback smearing, Advanced I/O control, Granular pitch-shifting

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VS free?

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

### Is OtherDesertCities free?

OtherDesertCities costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

OtherDesertCities is rated higher. VS averages 4.6 out of 5 from 125 ratings, while OtherDesertCities averages 4.8 from 59 ratings.

### Do VS or OtherDesertCities have ads?

Neither VS nor OtherDesertCities shows ads.

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

VS ships an update every 6 weeks, and OtherDesertCities every 2 months. Most recently, VS was updated on October 27, 2026 and OtherDesertCities on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, VS or OtherDesertCities?

VS currently peaks at #187 in the App Store charts, and OtherDesertCities at #184. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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