Comparison

Sampletoy vs VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

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

Head to head
About

Sampletoy

Capture and manipulate sounds using a unique musical instrument and plaything. This app allows you to record audio, then loop, pitch, and distort it live with multitouch controls. Explore creative sound design with filters, delays, and envelopes, and export your performances as high-quality audio files.

Highlights
  • Capture sounds via microphone
  • Live playback, looping, pitching, and distortion
  • Multitouch control for up to 5 notes
  • Resonant filters, delays, and envelopes
  • Stepped and free playback modes
  • Record and email performances as WAV files
  • Import audio from various sources
Features
Read full description

Sampletoy is a radical new musical instrument/plaything; part sampler, part granular synthesiser. Use it to capture sounds through the microphone, then play, loop, pitch and distort them live on the screen. There are plenty of features under the hood, such as resonant filters, delays and envelope. You can enable "stepped" mode to play your sounds like a traditional keyboard, or keep it in "free" mode for some microtonal madness. Once you've recorded a sound, use the main area of the screen to play it back at different pitches (up to 5 fingers at a time). You can crop the sound by dragging a selection over the waveform. The crop area is also multitouch and you can adjust the crop while playing the sound too. The y-axis is pitch of the sound, and the x-axis is configurable to control filters or envelope. You can record your performances on Sampletoy and send them via email within the app as a CD-quality wav file (mono or stereo) FEATURES ------- * Create your own instruments out of any sound. * Email your performances as audio files straight from the app. * Built-in resonant filters, delay and envelope. * Auto-saves current recording and state and recalls it again on next launch. * Stepped mode allows chromatic, major, minor, pentatonic and whole-tone scales to be played. * Totally multitouch - play up to 5 notes at once. * 44kHz/16bit - professional quality sound. * AudioBus3 output * Import any audio file to Sampletoy from Files, Voice memos, DropBox etc * Open non-audio files and hear what they sound like * Bluetooth / Airplay support * Built-in comprehensive manual.

About

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

This app creates unique synth sounds by recording classic synths to VHS tape and then resampling them. It offers a vast library of presets and effects to achieve lo-fi, retro vibes for various music genres. An AUv3 plugin and standalone app are included.

Highlights
  • VHS-recorded and resampled synths
  • Over 280+ presets
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin
  • VCR sound effects
  • VCR FX section for customization
  • Free expansion pack included
Features
Read full description

VHS Synth features synths recorded with a VCR, then resampled. Perfect for Synthwave, Hip Hop, Indie, Rock, Movie Soundtracks, Lo-Fi, Ambient, Vaporwave, Retro Pop, and more. Create instant lo-fi and cool retro vibes. Press a key. Elevate your music. Includes over 280+ Presets by Jakob haQ, Red Sky Lullaby, The GarageBand Guide, DJ Puzzle, Sound of Izrael, DJ Montra, Marc Hupkens, AnalogMatthew, JEC, Da Fingaz, Brian Funk, and more. "BEST Lo-Fi instrument I’ve ever played, seriously good sounds!" - The SoundTest Room "VHS Synth is a Retrowave dream!" - iPad Loops "Turns Your iOS Device Into An 80s Time Machine" - Synthtopia Classic Synths were recorded to VHS Tape with a VCR, then re-sampled. "VHS Synth is the ULTIMATE Retro Synth App" - The GarageBand Guide FEATURES: • Standalone app + iOS AUv3 Plugin • Over 280+ presets to inspire you • Compressed to under 140mb to save space • VCR Sound Effects (Buttons, Tape Hiss, More) • VCR FX section to customize the sounds • FREE Expansion Pack: OP-1 recorded with a VCR ++ iPhone & iPad version included for one low price Real analog feel and dirt. Vintage hardware was recorded into a VCR and then re-sampled. Subscribe to access to premium app features; subscription details are the following: - Length: weekly or yearly - Free trial: only on selected subscriptions - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a0880aca270f4f8ccee8d3e?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a0880aca270f4f8ccee8d3e?pvs=21) Privacy Policy: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a088019bec6ccb33ae5bb09?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a088019bec6ccb33ae5bb09?pvs=21) * NOTE: This app has no official affiliation with AudioKit Pro, LLC. It was built using the free AudioKit source code.

Screenshots

Sampletoy4 screens
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sampletoy at 90% against VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's 51%. Sampletoy also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). On price, ratings volume and device support 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

Both are free to download. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Sampletoy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sampletoy holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 104 and 132 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Sampletoy's written reviews are positive against 51% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sampletoy ships an update every 7 months, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Sampletoy versus VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSampletoyVHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (104 ratings) — better4.0 (132 ratings)
Positive reviews89.8% of reviews — better51.1% of reviews
Number of ratings104132 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB167 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMazbox LimitedAudiobus Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Sampletoy

All ratings104 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral10.6%
Negative14.4%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive89.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative6.1%

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

All ratings132 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative22.0%
Written reviews88 reviews
Positive51.1%
Neutral11.4%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

Sampletoy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • GarageBand compatibility broken after updates
  • App not recognized in Logic Pro after updates
  • Inconsistent sound quality across different registers
  • Patch/preset settings not retained after closing DAW
  • Audio Unit Extension crashes in GarageBand
Show 6 more
  • Duplicate track sounds different from original
  • Display shows 'Welcome' instead of loaded patch
  • Thin black keys difficult to hit on keyboard
  • Missing top C key on keyboard
  • Sounds inconsistent when exported from GarageBand
  • App disappears from projects after ownership change

Requested features

7 requests
  • Mac OS version for DAW compatibility
  • Velocity sensitivity settings for keyboard
  • Pitch bend and modulation wheels with actual functionality
  • Better keyboard design with proper key sizing
  • Improved UI layout to reduce wasted space in AUv3 mode
Show 2 more
  • Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback
  • Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile

In-app purchases

None

Sampletoy

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly premium$4.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Sampletoy free?
Sampletoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sampletoy or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Sampletoy is rated higher. Sampletoy averages 4.2 out of 5 from 104 ratings, while VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 from 132 ratings.
Do Sampletoy or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; Sampletoy does not.
Which is updated more often, Sampletoy or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?
Sampletoy ships an update every 7 months, and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Most recently, Sampletoy was updated on October 7, 2026 and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave on October 7, 2026.

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