Comparison

KORG iKaossilator vs iVCS3

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

Head to head
About

KORG iKaossilator

Create music with intuitive touch controls and a variety of built-in sounds. This app lets you play melodies and phrases by simply touching the screen, layering up to five parts with a loop sequencer. Share your creations or perform live with DJ-style controls.

Highlights
  • Intuitive X-Y pad for sound control
  • 150 diverse built-in sounds
  • Loop sequencer for up to five parts
  • Real-time loop control for live performance
  • Audio export and SoundCloud sharing
  • Visual effects synchronized with performance
Features
Read full description

The inspiringly creative Kaossilator comes to iPhone! Korg has revolutionized the musical instrument world with their dynamic line of Kaoss products, using an intuitive X-Y pad to provide expressive musical control. The palm-sized KAOSSILATOR synthesizer placed modern music-making in the hands of thousands of musicians and non-musicians alike. Now that same excitement has been captured in the iKaossilator app for iPhone! [Highlights] ● Play sounds by simply stroking, tapping, or rubbing the screen with your finger ● Bold Visual Effects move along with your performance and add excitement ● 150 diverse built-in sounds cover any style of dance music ● Scale/Key settings allow anyone to perform with musical precision ● Easily create tracks with the loop sequencer using up to five parts ● Control loops in real time for DJ-Style live performances ● Audio Export records and saves your performance, just as you heard it ● SoundCloud allows users to share and remix loops with other users worldwide ● WIST capability allows wireless sync-start with other music apps ● AudioCopy/AudioPaste Support ● Audio Loop Import ● Seamless operation in tandem with the Kaossilator 2 ■ Perform Using A Single Finger iKaossilator uses the unique X-Y interface made famous by Korg’s entire Kaoss Line, including the original hand-held KAOSSILATOR. Create melodies and phrases simply by stroking, tapping, or rubbing the touch screen with your finger; no musical knowledge is required. ■ Bright, Colorful Visual Effects iKaossilator is also focused on its graphic design, which shows up beautifully on the iPhone's high-quality display. The visual effects on the iPhone's display move along with your performance and add excitement. These bold, colorful graphics provide an exciting performance experience. ■ 150 Diverse Sounds Covering Many Musical Styles Use the 150 built-in sounds to perform and produce a broad range of dance music styles including hip-hop, house, techno, dubstep, nu-disco, and electro. Enjoy the synth leads and synth bass sounds you expect from a synthesizer. The drum sounds let you play and manipulate various patterns simply by moving your finger. ■ Loop Sequencer The built-in loop sequencer lets you layer up to five musical parts. To create a track, simply assign a loop such as synth, bass, chords, sound effects, or drums to each part. Fifty loops created by professional musicians are built-in to help you get started quickly. In addition to its track-making capabilities, this loop sequencer is also a great feature for live performance. The Mix Play feature makes it easy to enjoy live remixing; you can switch seamlessly to another loop or extract a specific part from another loop while the playback continues. ■ Audio Export You can record your performance in real time, or export a completed loop as an audio file. By sending your creations to a Mac or PC via iTunes, you can share them with your friends or use them in a full-fledged music production. You can also upload them directly to SoundCloud. ■ Share Loops on SoundCloud n online audio platform that's very popular among musical creators. The loops you create can be uploaded directly to SoundCloud from within the app. If you attach the loop data, it will be shared to other users' loop lists. Users worldwide will be exposed to new loops they've never heard, and can combine them with their own loops to create remixes. It's a new way of enjoying music by and unleashing your iKaossilator’s potential throughout the world. ∗ When using SoundCloud, you must observe SoundCloud Ltd.'s terms of use, such as the prohibition on uploading songs whose copyright is the property of a third party. Follow us! ● Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/korg.iapps ● Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/korg_iapps

About

iVCS3

This application emulates the iconic EMS VCS3 synthesizer, a pioneering portable synthesizer from 1969. It recreates the original's unique sound generation capabilities, including its oscillators, filters, and patch matrix, allowing users to explore its distinctive sonic palette.

Highlights
  • Official EMS VCS3 emulation
  • Three oscillators (2 VCOs, 1 LFO)
  • Noise generator
  • Voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF)
  • Patch board matrix
  • Joy-stick controller
  • Voltage controlled spring reverb
Features
Read full description

iVCS3 Official EMS VCS3 emulator The VCS3 was created in 1969 by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company. The electronics were largely designed by David Cockerell and the machine's distinctive visual appearance was the work of electronic composer Tristram Cary. The VCS3 was more or less the first portable commercially available synthesizer—portable in the sense that the VCS 3 was housed entirely in a small, wooden case. The VCS3 was quite popular among progressive rock bands and was used on recordings by The Alan Parsons Project, Jean Michel Jarre, Hawkwind, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, among many others. Well-known examples of its use are on The Who track "Won't Get Fooled Again" (as an external sound processor, in this case with Pete Townshend running the signal of a Lowrey Organ through the VCS3's filter and low frequency oscillators) on Who's Next. Pink Floyd's "On the Run" (from The Dark Side of the Moon) made use of its oscillators, filter and noise generator, as well as the sequencer. Their song Welcome to the Machine also used the VCS3. The bassy throb at the beginning of the recording formed the foundation of the song, with the other parts being recorded in response. The VCS3 was also a staple at the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop, and was a regular (and most frightening) sound generator for the Dr Who TV series. Many fo the monsters and atmoshere;s created for the show came directly from the VCS3. Description The VCS3 has three oscillators (in reality, the first 2 oscillators are normal oscillators and the 3rd an LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, a 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, joy-stick controller, voltage controlled spring reverb unit and 2 stereo output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesizer systems which use cables to link components together, the VCS3 uses a distinctive patch board matrix into which pins are inserted in order to connect its components together. Keyboards controller DK1 keyboard controller Although the VCS3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers for melodic play. The DK1 in 1969 was an early velocity sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS3 with an extra VCO and VCA. Later it was extended for duophonic play, as DK2, in 1972. Also in 1972, Synthi AKS was released, and its digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, KS sequencer, and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS, were also released. (See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS3)

Screenshots

KORG iKaossilator4 screens
iVCS34 screens

Verdict

The call

KORG iKaossilator and iVCS3 both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 91% of iVCS3's written reviews are positive against 80% of KORG iKaossilator's. KORG iKaossilator's advantage is ratings volume (1.2K vs 206) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 17.0). On price, rating, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

KORG iKaossilator costs $19.99 and iVCS3 $19.99 up front. KORG iKaossilator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG iKaossilator has 1.2K ratings behind it against 206, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of KORG iKaossilator's written reviews are positive against 91% of iVCS3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KORG iKaossilator ships an update every 4 months, iVCS3 every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
KORG iKaossilator versus iVCS3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKORG iKaossilatoriVCS3
Price$19.99$19.99
Rating4.7 (1.2K ratings)4.9 (206 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.3% of reviews90.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better206
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.3 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKORG INC.apeSoft

Customer experience

KORG iKaossilator

All ratings1,213 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews380 reviews
Positive80.3%
Neutral6.8%
Negative12.9%

iVCS3

All ratings205 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews194 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.7%

User reviews

KORG iKaossilator

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 👍 Great sounds and features
  • 🎨 Versatile and creative
  • 🎉 Lots of fun to play with
  • 💻 Works well on both iPhone and iPad

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔇 Limited sound library
  • 🔒 No ability to import own samples
  • 🔊 No individual volume control for instruments
  • 🔍 Difficult to precisely hit notes

iVCS3

From 206 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Faithful recreation of the original
  • 👍 Powerful and versatile sound
  • 🎨 Gorgeous vintage interface
  • 💡 Additional features beyond the original
  • 🎛️ Excellent integration with MIDI and other apps

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🤔 Steep learning curve
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate the matrix

Bugs and requests

KORG iKaossilator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when trying to export to Ableton
  • Shared tracks not loading properly
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Dropbox integration not working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more sound packs and expansion options
  • Implement MIDI sync and export capabilities
  • Include a grid view for more precise note input
  • Allow individual volume control for each instrument
  • Add an arpeggiator feature

iVCS3

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Presets not loading
  • Crashes on iOS 15.04
  • Sampler not functioning properly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Mac compatibility
  • Improved preset management
  • Expanded sampling capabilities

In-app purchases

1 purchases

KORG iKaossilator

One-time1
  • EDM Sound Set$2.99
10 purchases

iVCS3

One-time10
  • Red Sky Lullaby - 180 PresetsFree
  • Singe Difficile by RUST(i)KFree
  • RUMBLEFree
Show 7 more
  • OLD GRIT - COLLECTIONFree
  • JEC 2018 Iconic PinkFloydFree
  • JEC EMS-50Free
  • SINAPSYA - Under The Dust$2.99
  • LALA - Sonic Pleasures$3.99
  • JEC Mega Bank$4.99
  • Essential EMS Modifications$6.99

Questions

Is KORG iKaossilator free?
KORG iKaossilator costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is iVCS3 free?
iVCS3 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, KORG iKaossilator or iVCS3?
iVCS3 is rated higher. KORG iKaossilator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while iVCS3 averages 4.9 from 206 ratings.
Do KORG iKaossilator or iVCS3 have ads?
Neither KORG iKaossilator nor iVCS3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KORG iKaossilator or iVCS3?
KORG iKaossilator ships an update every 4 months, and iVCS3 every 2 months. Most recently, KORG iKaossilator was updated on October 26, 2026 and iVCS3 on October 26, 2026.

Other comparisons