Pulsar vs VAPolyMk3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pulsar
This music app provides a virtual drum machine with 8 pads for improvising and playing along to built-in rhythm presets. It features real-time rhythm switching, tempo control, and various effects. It also supports Ableton Link and MIDI for seamless integration with other music software and hardware.
- 8-pad drum machine
- Built-in rhythm presets
- Real-time rhythm switching
- Tempo and accent control
- Drive, reverb, and filter effects
- Ableton Link synchronization
- MIDI In/Out support
- AUv3 compatibility
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Pulsar-ES is a sample-based drum machine inspired by the Estradin Pulsar. Start with 128 factory rhythms, 64 in bank A and 64 in bank B, play the eight-pad kit, and edit MIDI notes and velocities. In version 1.0.8, Random rhythm generates a new pattern in the current slot. Swing adjusts the timing from 0 to 100%. Shape the sound with filter, reverb, overdrive, delay, chorus and compression. Save edited rhythms as separate user patterns; the factory patterns remain available. Open LINK for tempo-sync settings with compatible peers. Start/stop synchronization is a separate setting. With a MIDI output selected and a compatible route configured, send pattern notes to another instrument. In a plug-in host, routing depends on the host. For iPhone and iPad: standalone app and AUv3. Hosting, MIDI and Link features require the corresponding compatible setup.
VAPolyMk3
This polyphonic synthesizer offers multi-synthesis capabilities inspired by classic analog synths. Explore subtractive and modular FM synthesis with extensive oscillator routing, built-in effects, and an analog-style sequencer. Save projects via iCloud for seamless cross-platform use.
- Multi-synthesis (Subtractive & FM)
- 3 Oscillators + 3 Modulation Oscillators
- Resonant Low/High Pass Filters
- Analog Style CV Sequencer
- Built-in Effects (Delay, Chorus, Reverb, etc.)
- Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Support
- iCloud Project Sync
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VAPolyMk3 is a multi synthesis polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Inspired by the last generation of classic analog synthesizers in the late 1980’s such as Oberheim Matrix series synthesizers, It offers Subtractive Synthesis and modular FM Synthesis. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Oscillator Section features 3 Oscillators and 3 Modulation Oscillators. Each Oscillator has envelope and amplifier. Oscillators can be routed for Subtractive Synthesis and FM Synthesis. Signal from Oscillators are routed to mixer, resonant low pass filter, resonant hight pass filter and amplifier. The synthesizer also features two ADSR envelopes per voice, two LFO and analog style sequencer. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. VAPolyMk3 also includes sequencer which features piano roll editor and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features 3 oscillators and 3 modulation oscillators can be routed for Subtractive Synthesis and FM Synthesis. Analog Style CV Sequencer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and sequencer. Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) and Per Note Control. 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. Option to turn off anti-aliasing for devices with less CPU power. Include 271 Factory Presets. System Requirements iOS 17.0 or later This app requires a lot of CPU power. Devices with Apple Silicon or equivalent A series chip are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. If sound is distorted when using a device with less CPU power, turn Anti-Aliasing-Option off or reduce number of voices. 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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Pulsar at $4.99 against VAPolyMk3's $14.99. Pulsar also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). VAPolyMk3's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3). On ratings volume, 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
Pulsar costs $4.99 and VAPolyMk3 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VAPolyMk3 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 6 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Pulsar's written reviews are positive against 50% of VAPolyMk3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Pulsar ships an update every 3 weeks, VAPolyMk3 every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pulsar | VAPolyMk3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (7 ratings) | 4.5 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dmytro Kiro | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
Pulsar
VAPolyMk3
In-app purchases
Pulsar
No in-app purchases
VAPolyMk3
No in-app purchases









