Comparison

Krill Synthesizer vs VAPoly16

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

Head to head
About

Krill Synthesizer

This virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer offers a streamlined interface for creating quick synth sounds on iPad. It features two oscillators, an LFO, a low-pass filter, two envelopes, and stereo effects, all accessible from a single screen.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer
  • Single-screen interface
  • Two oscillators
  • One LFO
  • Low-pass filter
  • Stereo chorus and ping-pong delay
  • 64 presets
Features
Read full description

The GSi Krill Synthesizer was born from a design originally conceived to work as a mono synthesizer on an embedded processor (RP2040), then it was modified to be polyphonic for a more powerful processor (ARM H7) and finally we thought it would be perfect as a AUv3 for iPad, for those quick and dirty synth sounds you sometimes need without getting lost in endless parameter navigation and menu diving. So here it is, just one screen, one knob - one function, what you see is what you get. Two oscillators, one LFO, one low pass filter, two envelopes, stereo chorus, ping-pong delay, 64 presets. Have fun!

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Krill Synthesizer1 screens
VAPoly164 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Krill Synthesizer at weekly against VAPoly16's every 2 months. Krill Synthesizer also leads on price ($11.99 vs $14.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). On rating, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Krill Synthesizer costs $11.99 and VAPoly16 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Krill Synthesizer against 5.0 for VAPoly16. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 13 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Krill Synthesizer ships an update weekly, VAPoly16 every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Krill Synthesizer versus VAPoly16: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKrill SynthesizerVAPoly16
Price$11.99 — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (6 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings613 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareRyo Togawa

Customer experience

Krill Synthesizer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VAPoly16

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Krill Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

None

VAPoly16

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Krill Synthesizer free?
Krill Synthesizer costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPoly16 free?
VAPoly16 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Krill Synthesizer or VAPoly16?
Krill Synthesizer and VAPoly16 are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 13 ratings respectively.
Do Krill Synthesizer or VAPoly16 have ads?
Neither Krill Synthesizer nor VAPoly16 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Krill Synthesizer or VAPoly16?
Krill Synthesizer ships an update weekly, and VAPoly16 every 2 months. Most recently, Krill Synthesizer was updated on November 3, 2026 and VAPoly16 on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons