Comparison

JAX SR vs VAPolyWest

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

Head to head
About

JAX SR

This audio effect app allows selective frequency range processing for modulation effects. It offers a classic phaser with MIDI control and dynamic mix adjustment, preventing negative side effects from full-range processing. It requires a host application to function.

Highlights
  • Selective frequency range processing
  • Classic phaser modulation
  • Optional MIDI control
  • Dynamic mix adjustment
  • Universal app for Apple devices
Features
Read full description

The manual is here : https://audio.digitster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JAX-SR-Phaser-Manual.pdf The JAX SR Series are AudioUnits (AUv3), which allow to select a frequency range for effect processing. This one provides a classic phaser modulation effect with optional direct MIDI control assignment to the parameters. If (especially) modulation effects are applied to the entire frequency range, this usually will introduce negative side effects. The JAX [SR] Series allow a selective frequency range and dynamic adjustment of the mix easily. More information can be found on the product website at: https://audio.digitster.com/ Please note, that AudioUnits (AUv3) require a supporting host application to perform. This build (like all our latest releases) is truly 'universal', meaning, the audio unit is available for: - MacOS (Apple Silicon) - iOS (all actual iPhones) - iPadOS (all actual iPads) - visionOS (Apple Vision Pro) Requirements: MacOS 10.15++ iOS 14.0++

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

JAX SR4 screens
VAPolyWest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: JAX SR at $6.99 against VAPolyWest's $14.99. JAX SR also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.6). VAPolyWest's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

JAX SR costs $6.99 and VAPolyWest $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 JAX SR against 5.0 for VAPolyWest. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VAPolyWest has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JAX SR ships an update every 4 weeks, VAPolyWest every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
JAX SR versus VAPolyWest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJAX SRVAPolyWest
Price$6.99 — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJens GuellRyo Togawa

Customer experience

JAX SR

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

VAPolyWest

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

JAX SR

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyWest

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is JAX SR free?
JAX SR costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyWest free?
VAPolyWest costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, JAX SR or VAPolyWest?
JAX SR and VAPolyWest are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 5 ratings respectively.
Do JAX SR or VAPolyWest have ads?
Neither JAX SR nor VAPolyWest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JAX SR or VAPolyWest?
JAX SR ships an update every 4 weeks, and VAPolyWest every 10 months. Most recently, JAX SR was updated on October 19, 2026 and VAPolyWest on October 24, 2026.

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