Comparison

VAPoly16 vs pocketOscilloscope

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

Head to head
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.

About

pocketOscilloscope

Visualize audio waveforms on your Mac, PC, or iOS device. This tool offers detailed controls for RMS/Peak metering, voltage, gain, and visual elements like line thickness and rotation. Customize channel colors for a personalized audio analysis experience.

Highlights
  • Stereo capable oscilloscope
  • RMS/Peak meter
  • Controllable Vertical/Horizontal Offset
  • Voltage and Gain controls
  • Line Thickness and Rotation
  • Custom color selection
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

pocketOscilloscope is a Mac/PC and iOS compatible stereo capable oscilloscope tool for audio nerds. Complete with RMS/Peak meter and controllable Vertical and Horizontal Offset. As well as separate Voltage and Gain controls, coupled with visual controls like Line Thickness and Rotation for a complete experience. Custom color selection for audio channels 1 & 2. This tool is great for checking your custom built oscillators, plug-ins, or just visualizing your audio. VST3, AU, AUv3, & Stand-alone compatible. *Stand alone app works with external audio hardware devices.

Screenshots

VAPoly164 screens
pocketOscilloscope4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VAPoly16 at 100% against pocketOscilloscope's 50%. VAPoly16 also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months). pocketOscilloscope's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $14.99) and chart position (#199 vs unranked). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

VAPoly16 costs $14.99 and pocketOscilloscope $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VAPoly16 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of VAPoly16's written reviews are positive against 50% of pocketOscilloscope's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VAPoly16 ships an update every 2 months, pocketOscilloscope every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
VAPoly16 versus pocketOscilloscope: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPoly16pocketOscilloscope
Price$14.99$0.99 — better
Rating5.0 (13 ratings) — better3.6 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#199 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.412.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaOSC Audio

Customer experience

VAPoly16

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

pocketOscilloscope

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

VAPoly16

No in-app purchases

None

pocketOscilloscope

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPoly16 free?
VAPoly16 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is pocketOscilloscope free?
pocketOscilloscope costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VAPoly16 or pocketOscilloscope?
VAPoly16 is rated higher. VAPoly16 averages 5.0 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while pocketOscilloscope averages 3.6 from 5 ratings.
Do VAPoly16 or pocketOscilloscope have ads?
Neither VAPoly16 nor pocketOscilloscope shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VAPoly16 or pocketOscilloscope?
VAPoly16 ships an update every 2 months, and pocketOscilloscope every 12 months. Most recently, VAPoly16 was updated on September 20, 2026 and pocketOscilloscope on September 7, 2026.

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