Comparison

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave vs Exploring the Space

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

Head to head
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.

About

Exploring the Space

Organize and listen to musical recordings like rehearsals, demos, and rough mixes. This app serves as a central hub for artists to manage their compositional process.

Highlights
  • Organize musical recordings
  • Catalog rehearsals
  • Manage demos
  • Listen to rough mixes
  • Central hub for artists
Features
Read full description

Exploring the Space is a hub for musical artists to organize recordings used in the composition process. Rehearsals, demos and rough mixes can be cataloged and listened to from your app.

Screenshots

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave4 screens
Exploring the Space4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Exploring the Space at 5.0 against VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's 4.0. Exploring the Space also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's advantage is ratings volume (135 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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

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. Exploring the Space asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Exploring the Space holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave has 135 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave ships an update every 2 weeks, Exploring the Space fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave versus Exploring the Space: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVHS Synth | 80s SynthwaveExploring the Space
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (135 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings135 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.5 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size167 MB16 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAudiobus Pty LtdAndrew Tisdall

Customer experience

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

All ratings132 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative22.0%
Written reviews88 reviews
Positive51.1%
Neutral11.4%
Negative37.5%

Exploring the Space

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and 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

Exploring the Space

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Exploring the Space

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Exploring the Space free?
Exploring the Space is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or Exploring the Space?
Exploring the Space is rated higher. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while Exploring the Space averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or Exploring the Space have ads?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; Exploring the Space does not.
Which is updated more often, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or Exploring the Space?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave ships an update every 2 weeks, and Exploring the Space fortnightly. Most recently, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave was updated on October 23, 2026 and Exploring the Space on October 18, 2026.

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