Comparison

VADrum2 vs Mantis

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

VADrum2

Create electronic music with a virtual analog drum machine. Features a synthesizer with 27 voices, built-in effects, and a powerful sequencer. Save projects to iCloud and use it as a standalone app or an Audio Unit Extension.

Highlights
  • 27 virtual analog and sample playback drum voices
  • Integrated delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, EQ, and compressor
  • 16-bar pattern sequencer with parameter automation
  • Stand-alone app and AUv3 extension support
  • Ableton Link and Bluetooth MIDI compatibility
  • iCloud Drive project saving
  • Universal Purchase for iOS and macOS
Features
Read full description

VADrum2 is a virtual analog drum machine for iPhone, iPad and Mac. VADrum2 consists of drum synthesizer, effects and a sequencer. The drum synthesizer includes 27 drum voices, which are 23 virtual analog modules and 4 sample playback modules and they are inspired by the iconic analog drum machines of the 1980’s. The Effects includes delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq, and compressor. The sequencer offers ability to program 16 bar pattern per clip and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive. VADrum2 works as a stand alone or as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI and MIDI IN/OUT. Main Features Drum Synthesizer - 27 drum synthesizer modules (24 virtual analog and 4 sample playback) Sequencer - 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 16 clips. - Parameter automation. Audio Export - Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) - Support iCloud Drive. - Support Universal Purchase (Works on iOS devices and macOS devices) - Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) System Requirements - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) is supported by Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS, and Apple Logic on Mac. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension (AUv3).

About

Mantis

This audio plugin emulates a vintage 70s analog delay/echo unit, offering a warm, authentic sound. It features four echo taps, swell selectors, and a unique modulation section for chorus-like effects.

Highlights
  • Emulates rare 70s BBD delay/echo
  • Warm analog sound
  • Four echo taps
  • Four swell selectors
  • Rotafaze modulation section
  • Mimics tape echo wow/flutter
  • Chorus-delay effect
Features
Read full description

Mantis is a plugin that emulates a rare BBD (bucket-brigade device) delay/echo unit of the 70s, faithfully recreating its warm and analog sound. Available as AUv3 and Standalone. As the original unit, Mantis features an echo section with four taps and four swell selectors. It also features the rotafaze section, a modulation that can mimic the wow/flutter of a tape echo or turn the unit into a unique chorus-delay.

Screenshots

VADrum24 screens
Mantis1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Mantis at 5.0 against VADrum2's 4.5. On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

VADrum2 costs $14.99 and Mantis $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mantis holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 8 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VADrum2 ships an update every 5 months, Mantis every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
VADrum2 versus Mantis: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVADrum2Mantis
Price$14.99$14.99
Rating4.5 (16 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.514.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaAudioThing Ltd.

Customer experience

VADrum2

All ratings16 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Mantis

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

VADrum2

No in-app purchases

None

Mantis

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VADrum2 free?
VADrum2 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mantis free?
Mantis costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VADrum2 or Mantis?
Mantis is rated higher. VADrum2 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Mantis averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do VADrum2 or Mantis have ads?
Neither VADrum2 nor Mantis shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VADrum2 or Mantis?
VADrum2 ships an update every 5 months, and Mantis every 9 months. Most recently, VADrum2 was updated on September 27, 2026 and Mantis on October 1, 2026.

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