PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer vs VAPolyWest
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
Create complex musical sequences with multiple polyrhythmic tracks. Control note, velocity, gate, and MIDI CC parameters with independent step lengths and rates. Route MIDI output to your favorite synths and AUv3 hosts.
- Multitrack polyrhythmic MIDI sequencing
- Note and MIDI CC tracks
- Configurable step lengths per mode
- Independent track rates
- Assignable MIDI channels
- Ramp value for CC smoothing
- AUv3 plugin support
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PolyBud is a multitrack polyrhythmic AUv3 MIDI sequencer. You can add multiple note or MIDI CC tracks to the each pattern. The note tracks has the note, velocity, gate, ratchet, probability and randomisation modes. You can set different step lengths to the each mode which would introduce polyrhythmic variations immediately. Another great feature is the each track can run in a different rate which is great for creating unique polyrhythmic sequences. Also, you can assign different MIDI channels to the each track so that you can control multiple synths within a single PolyBud pattern. The MIDI CC tracks is great for modulating the synth parameters. You can introduce polyrhythmic modulations by setting the different step lengths and different rates to your MIDI CC tracks. Also, you can set a ramp value for smoothing up the CC value changes per step. If you set the ramp value to 0% then you can have the classic sample and hold modulation. PolyBud is a MIDI app and it don't produce any sound of its own. You need to route PolyBud's MIDI out to your audio apps in order to run PolyBud. For the AUv3 plugin, you need an AUv3 host app such as AUM, Cubase, NanoStudio, ZenBeats, BeatMaker, apeMatrix etc.
VAPolyWest
This app is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by 1960s California west coast synthesis. It features wave folding, lowpass gates, and step sequencers for generative music creation. It functions as a standalone app or an AudioUnit Extension across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Virtual analog west coast style polyphonic synthesizer
- Wave folder and lowpass gate
- Step sequencer and envelope generators
- Up to 8 voice polyphony
- Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
- MIDI 2.0 support
- Audio export options
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VAPolyWest is inspired by synthesizers developed in California in the 1960’s. VAPolyWest features wave folder and lowpass gate, which are key components of the west coast synthesis. VAPolyWest also features 5 step sequencer and envelope generators which are designed to create generative music. VAPolyWest works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. - Main Features - Virtual analog west coast style polyphonic synthesizer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Wave folder and lowpass gate for West Coast Synthesis. Step sequencer and envelopes designed for generative music. Support MIDI 2.0 Built-in Sequencer. 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 8 clips. Piano Roll and Parameter automation. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - System Requirements - A13 Fusion or above is recommended. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension. Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer at $3.99 against VAPolyWest's $14.99. PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 10 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). VAPolyWest's advantage is chart position (#191 vs unranked). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer costs $3.99 and VAPolyWest $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer against 5.0 for VAPolyWest. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 5 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer's written reviews are positive against 75% of VAPolyWest's.
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer ships an update every 5 weeks, VAPolyWest every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer | VAPolyWest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (9 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #191 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cem Olcay | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
VAPolyWest
In-app purchases
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
No in-app purchases
VAPolyWest
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer free?
Is VAPolyWest free?
Which has better reviews, PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer or VAPolyWest?
Do PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer or VAPolyWest have ads?
Which is updated more often, PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer or VAPolyWest?
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