Comparison

Cryptoclash vs VAPolyFMWest

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

Head to head
About

Cryptoclash

This app generates unique sounds by translating typed letters into a physics-based sound engine. Explore experimental music with particle collisions, gravity adjustments, and novel tuning systems.

Highlights
  • Text-to-sound generation
  • Physics-based sound engine
  • Accelerometer controls
  • Customizable sound patches
  • Experimental tuning systems
  • Live coding elements
Features
Read full description

Cryptoclash is a strange generative synthesizer, which translates letters into sound. By typing in a string of up to 20 letters (a-z), you set up the states of the sound engine, which are represented as roaming particles. Every time they collide, things can change! Use the accelerometers to change gravity, and tap on a ball to give it a velocity boost. Each time you choose the source string, you create a new sounding patch. Some sounds are noisier, and others more meditative; keep exploring and you'll hear interesting new tuning systems (such as 26 notes per octave), and different amounts of synthesizer feedback. The central idea behind this work is that of the musical cryptogram, where letters are turned into notes; but the sound engine here avoids such a direct and obvious mapping for a combination of physics engine (thank you Box2D), live coding, sonification, finite state machines, Markov models and feedback FM. Download Cryptoclash if you are open to stranger computer music sounds, and avoid it if you just want diatonic melodies and piano sounds! If you like this, or want a free starting point, you may be interested in the other two in an accessible live coding triology; TOPLAPapp and RISCy, already available on the App Store.

About

VAPolyFMWest

This app combines FM and West Coast synthesis with a 4-operator FM engine and wave folder/lowpass gate. It offers a standalone mode with Ableton Link and MIDI support, plus an AudioUnit Extension for iOS and Mac. Includes built-in effects and a step sequencer.

Highlights
  • 4-operator FM synthesizer
  • Wave folder and lowpass gate
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
  • Built-in delay, chorus, reverb, EQ, compressor
  • 3-channel step sequencer
  • iCloud Drive project sharing
Features
Read full description

VAPolyFMWest is a combination of FM and West Coast synthesis. It features 4 operator, 8 waveform, 8 algorithm FM synthesizer inspired by iconic rack mount FM synthesizer in 1980’s and wave folder and lowpass gate, which are key components of the west coast synthesis. VAPolyFMWest operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features - FM Synthesizer - 4 operators, 8 waveforms and 8 algorithms - Wave folder and lowpass gate - 3 channel analog style step sequencer. - Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. - Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. - Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) - Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). - Support MIDI 2.0. - Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. - Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) - MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. - UI Color can be selected from black, navy, gray, blown and red. - Font size for title of controls are adjustable. - Factory Preset 128 - Effects Preset 40 System Requirements - iOS 17.0 or later - Devices with Apple Silicon are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly 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. - Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.

Screenshots

Cryptoclash1 screens
VAPolyFMWest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cryptoclash at Free against VAPolyFMWest's $14.99. Cryptoclash also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.6). VAPolyFMWest's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 72 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

Cryptoclash is free to download; VAPolyFMWest costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VAPolyFMWest holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cryptoclash ships an update every 72 months, VAPolyFMWest every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Cryptoclash versus VAPolyFMWest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptoclashVAPolyFMWest
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating3.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequencyEvery 72 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua ParmenterRyo Togawa

Customer experience

Cryptoclash

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VAPolyFMWest

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Cryptoclash

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyFMWest

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cryptoclash free?
Cryptoclash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyFMWest free?
VAPolyFMWest costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cryptoclash or VAPolyFMWest?
VAPolyFMWest is rated higher. Cryptoclash averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while VAPolyFMWest averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Cryptoclash or VAPolyFMWest have ads?
Neither Cryptoclash nor VAPolyFMWest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cryptoclash or VAPolyFMWest?
Cryptoclash ships an update every 72 months, and VAPolyFMWest every 4 days. Most recently, Cryptoclash was updated on November 1, 2026 and VAPolyFMWest on November 5, 2026.

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