Mantis vs VAPoly16
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
VAPoly16
This app is a virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer for iOS and Mac. It offers 16 voices, a sequencer, and various audio effects. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AudioUnit Extension.
- 16 voice virtual analog synthesizer
- Bitimbral sound design
- Sequencer with piano roll and automation
- Multiple audio effects (delay, reverb, chorus, etc.)
- Standalone and AUv3 extension support
- Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
- Audio file export
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VAPoly16 is a virtual analog bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features 16 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. The synthesizer consists of two 8 voice synthesizer, which features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, resonant high pass and low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on the Sallen-Key filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and 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 16 voice bitimbral 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 Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. System Requirements For iOS Devices, A10 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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: VAPoly16 at every 2 months against Mantis's every 9 months. Mantis's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). 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
Mantis costs $14.99 and VAPoly16 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Mantis against 5.0 for VAPoly16. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 13 respectively.
Mantis ships an update every 9 months, VAPoly16 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mantis | VAPoly16 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $14.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 13 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AudioThing Ltd. | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
Mantis
VAPoly16
In-app purchases
Mantis
No in-app purchases
VAPoly16
No in-app purchases
