Comparison

VAPoly vs Mantis

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

Head to head
About

VAPoly

This virtual analog synthesizer offers 8-voice polyphony with built-in effects, a sequencer, and parameter automation. It functions as a standalone app or an Audio Unit Extension, supporting iCloud Drive and various MIDI and audio export options.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog 8-voice polyphony
  • Built-in effects (delay, chorus, reverb, etc.)
  • 16-bar sequencer with parameter automation
  • Oscillators with modulation capabilities
  • Standalone app and AUv3 extension
  • iCloud Drive support for cross-device projects
Features
Read full description

VAPoly is a virtual analog 8 voice polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. VAPoly features built-in effects, built-in sequencer, parameter automation, oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzer. VAPoly works as a stand alone or as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI IN/OUT and audio file export. The synth features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, a high pass filter, a low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators are capable of wide variety of modulation to shape the sound. The low pass filter is modeled on cascaded OTA filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq, and compressor. The sequencer offers ability to program 16 bar pattern per clip for total 16 clips and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive to work on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Main Features Virtual analog 8 voice polyphonic synthesizer 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 Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Support Universal Purchase. VAPoly works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. System Requirements - For iOS Devices, A10 Fusion or above is recommended. - 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

VAPoly4 screens
Mantis1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: VAPoly at every 3 months against Mantis's every 9 months. On price, rating, ratings volume 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

VAPoly 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for VAPoly against 5.0 for Mantis. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 8 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VAPoly ships an update every 3 months, Mantis every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
VAPoly versus Mantis: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyMantis
Price$14.99$14.99
Rating5.0 (16 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.214.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaAudioThing Ltd.

Customer experience

VAPoly

All ratings16 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Mantis

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

In-app purchases

None

VAPoly

No in-app purchases

None

Mantis

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPoly free?
VAPoly costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mantis free?
Mantis costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VAPoly or Mantis?
VAPoly and Mantis are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 16 and 8 ratings respectively.
Do VAPoly or Mantis have ads?
Neither VAPoly nor Mantis shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VAPoly or Mantis?
VAPoly ships an update every 3 months, and Mantis every 9 months. Most recently, VAPoly was updated on September 20, 2026 and Mantis on September 10, 2026.

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