# VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave vs Youth Course for GarageBand

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Youth Course for GarageBand at 100% against VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's 52%. Youth Course for GarageBand also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's advantage is ratings volume (135 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Youth Course for GarageBand sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Youth Course for GarageBand 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's written reviews are positive against 100% of Youth Course for GarageBand's.

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave ships an update every 2 weeks, Youth Course for GarageBand monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave | Youth Course for GarageBand |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/youth-course-for-garageband/id6736498129/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **135** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 51.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 167 MB | 87 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.5** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) | [Christopher Sirard](https://appshunter.io/developer/1772181562) |

## What reviewers say

### VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Youth Course for GarageBand

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/youth-course-for-garageband/id6736498129)

Learn to create music with a popular audio editing software through a step-by-step course. It offers over four hours of video lessons covering song creation, instrument usage, and audio effects. The course includes lifetime access and bonus materials.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step song creation, Over 4 hours of video lessons, Learn instrument loops and software instruments, Explore audio effects and smart controls, Lifetime access to course and community, Includes bonus learning materials

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $47 (90% OFF) | $47.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Youth Course for GarageBand free?

Youth Course for GarageBand is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or Youth Course for GarageBand?

Youth Course for GarageBand is rated higher. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while Youth Course for GarageBand averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or Youth Course for GarageBand have ads?

Both VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave and Youth Course for GarageBand show ads.

### Which is updated more often, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or Youth Course for GarageBand?

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave ships an update every 2 weeks, and Youth Course for GarageBand monthly. Most recently, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave was updated on November 3, 2026 and Youth Course for GarageBand on October 30, 2026.

---

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