Comparison

GS vs VAPolyQuad

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

Head to head
About

GS

This audio plugin emulates the classic Space Echo tape delay effect for iOS devices. It aims to replicate the authentic sound and quirks of the original hardware, offering a vintage delay experience.

Highlights
  • AUv3 plugin for iOS
  • Emulates Space Echo tape delay
  • Authentic vintage sound
  • Basic controls mirroring original hardware
  • iPad platform compatibility
Read full description

Please note: this is an AUv3 plugin that can be used with compatible host Apps. GS-201 Mark II is the evolution of a project that began in 2007 with the release of the old version of GS-201, which evolved into a mark II version in 2019 and has now landed on the iPad platform. The aim is to capture the magic of the famous Space Echo tape delay and make it available to everyone. It's not an easy task, but the experience gained over the past 15 years in audio DSP development has helped us achieve a result that can sometimes fool even ourselves. This iOS version of the GS-201 Mark II contains only the basic controls found on the original Space Echo, with no additional editing parameters. If you want to eliminate tape hiss, if the tape splice glitch is bothering you, if you don't like wow and flutter, or need host tempo sync, you are definitely looking for a different plug-in. If, on the other hand, you want to relive the experience of dealing with an original Space Echo, with all its pros and cons, you are in the right place.

About

VAPolyQuad

Create rich, analog-style music with this powerful polyphonic synthesizer. Explore a vast array of sound-shaping tools, including multiple oscillators, filters, and effects. Program intricate melodies and rhythms with the built-in sequencer, and seamlessly share projects across your Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer
  • Up to 8 voice polyphony
  • Four oscillators per voice
  • Multiple resonant filters
  • Built-in effects suite
  • 16-bar sequencer with piano roll
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
Features
Read full description

VAPolyQuad is a virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features 8 voice synthesizer, effects, sequencer and audio visualization tools. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Single voice of the synthesizer features four oscillators, two mixers, two resonant high pass filters, two resonant low pass filters, two amplifiers, four ADSR envelopes and four LFOs. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on the Sallen-Key filter circuit and cascaded OTA filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and parameter automation editor to program 16 bar pattern per clip. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. - Main Features - Virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Four oscillators per voice. Flexible audio signal and control signal routing. Keyboard Control Routing Two type of Lowpass filter, cascaded OTA model and Sallen-key model. Support MIDI 2.0 New User Interface built by SwiftUI for improved performance. 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. 370 Factory Presets - 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

GS1 screens
VAPolyQuad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GS at 100% against VAPolyQuad's 0%. GS also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and price ($11.99 vs $14.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

GS costs $11.99 and VAPolyQuad $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of GS's written reviews are positive against 0% of VAPolyQuad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GS ships an update every 17 months, VAPolyQuad every 22 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GS versus VAPolyQuad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGSVAPolyQuad
Price$11.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.5 (11 ratings) — better4.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 17 months — betterEvery 22 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareRyo Togawa

Customer experience

GS

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral18.2%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VAPolyQuad

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

GS

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyQuad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GS free?
GS costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyQuad free?
VAPolyQuad costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GS or VAPolyQuad?
GS is rated higher. GS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while VAPolyQuad averages 4.0 from 5 ratings.
Do GS or VAPolyQuad have ads?
Neither GS nor VAPolyQuad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GS or VAPolyQuad?
GS ships an update every 17 months, and VAPolyQuad every 22 months. Most recently, GS was updated on October 24, 2026 and VAPolyQuad on October 24, 2026.

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