# Pulsar vs VAPolyMk3

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.

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 September 18, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pulsar | VAPolyMk3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [4.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulsar-es-drum-machine/id1661825756/reviews) | **[4.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vapolymk3/id6739957104/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#188** | — |
| Size | 61 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dmytro Kiro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1621893756) | [Ryo Togawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1474193056) |

## What reviewers say

### Pulsar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulsar-es-drum-machine/id1661825756)

**Currently charting:** #188 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### VAPolyMk3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vapolymk3/id6739957104)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pulsar free?

Pulsar costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VAPolyMk3 free?

VAPolyMk3 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pulsar or VAPolyMk3?

VAPolyMk3 is rated higher. Pulsar averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while VAPolyMk3 averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.

### Do Pulsar or VAPolyMk3 have ads?

Neither Pulsar nor VAPolyMk3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pulsar or VAPolyMk3?

Pulsar ships an update every 3 weeks, and VAPolyMk3 every 7 months. Most recently, Pulsar was updated on September 18, 2026 and VAPolyMk3 on September 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*