Washboard vs LA Comp
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Washboard
Transform your device into a virtual washboard with customizable sounds and decorations. Play along with your music or connect to an amp for live performances. It also functions as a MIDI controller for music production.
- Virtual metal washboard instrument
- Add-on instruments like horns and woodblocks
- Customizable decorations
- Play along with music
- Connect to external amplifiers
- MIDI controller functionality
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Turn your mobile device into a musical washboard! You can play the classic metal washboard as is, or customize it by adding instruments like horns and woodblocks in any combination. You can even add decorations like a flower, a sticker or party lights. Play along with your iPod music, or plug into an amp and join a jug band! Some reviews say the app doesn't sound like a washboard, but it does use audio samples taken from a real washboard. The samples come from a metal board played with 1" zinc washers -- this gives a sound harder than thimbles but softer than spoons -- and include a tap, scrub and wood sound. The add-on instruments also use real audio samples. Instruments include: - Small cowbell - Large cowbell - Small horn - Large horn - Tambourine - Cymbal - Small woodblock - Large woodblock - Service bell - Vibraslap - Toy chicken Decorations (no sound) include: - Toy dinosaur - Flower - Bow tie - Hula girl - Woody Guthrie sticker - Party lights If you have any MIDI equipment, you can also use Washboard as a MIDI controller. Map each instrument in the app to a note number in your sound module, then tap the board or attached instruments to send note-on commands. The MIDI commands are sent on channel 10 for easy access to most percussion modules. Before buying this app, I recommend watching the demo video at washboardapp.com to see how it works. If you need help after your purchase, please contact me before writing a bad review. I have no way to respond or help you if you publish your complaints in a review, but I respond promptly to all emails.
LA Comp
This audio effect plugin offers a vintage-inspired optical compressor with modern flexibility. It provides in-depth control over dynamics, tube flavors, and stereo width, allowing for precise sound shaping on vocals and mixes. Compatible across multiple platforms for on-the-go creativity.
- Vintage and modern optical compression
- Multiple tube flavor options
- Auto-Gain functionality
- Emphasis frequency control
- Stereo spread for width
- Side-chain input
- Cross-platform presets
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Legendary sound with a modern twist. LA Comp reimagines a studio classic with unmistakable vintage tone bringing in-depth control. Whether you're crafting silky vocal lines or adding punch to your mix, it's got the soul of a legend with a twist of modern-day flexibility. Optical dynamics with ease. With side-chain, auto-gain, and in-depth control over tube and optical elements, you’ll have everything you need to shape your sound in ways you never imagined. Mix anywhere. Anytime. From the studio to your mobile rig, LA Comp is ready. With VST3, AAX, AU, and AUv3 compatibility across macOS, Windows, iPhone, and iPad, your sound goes wherever inspiration strikes—without compromising quality or control. Features -10 included cross-platform presets for instant inspiration -Auto-Gain to keep the focus on your dynamics -Analog warmth and drive with three tube flavors: Vintage, Modern, and Stock -Gain reduction (Mono or Stereo) and calculation options (RMS or Peak) -Emphasis frequency control for tailored compression -Stereo spread for enhanced width and space -Side-chain input for creative mixing and shaping -Allows external audio device use Fully compatible with VST3, AAX, AU, and AUv3.* *AUv3 and standalone only on iOS. Mac/PC (Sold separately) required for VST3 and AAX.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Washboard at 5.0 against LA Comp's 4.2. Washboard also leads on price ($1.99 vs $9.99). LA Comp's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (5 vs 1). On review sentiment, 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
Washboard costs $1.99 and LA Comp $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Washboard holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LA Comp has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Washboard's written reviews are positive against 50% of LA Comp's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Washboard ships an update every 3 months, LA Comp every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Washboard | LA Comp |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.2 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Arlo Leach | OSC Audio |
Customer experience
Washboard
LA Comp
In-app purchases
Washboard
No in-app purchases
LA Comp
No in-app purchases









