VAPoly16 vs pocketOscilloscope
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Stereo capable oscilloscope
- RMS/Peak meter
- Controllable Vertical/Horizontal Offset
- Voltage and Gain controls
- Line Thickness and Rotation
- Custom color selection
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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
Verdict
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
VAPoly16 costs $14.99 and pocketOscilloscope $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | VAPoly16 | pocketOscilloscope |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (13 ratings) — better | 3.6 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #199 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryo Togawa | OSC Audio |
Customer experience
VAPoly16
pocketOscilloscope
In-app purchases
VAPoly16
No in-app purchases
pocketOscilloscope
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is VAPoly16 free?
Is pocketOscilloscope free?
Which has better reviews, VAPoly16 or pocketOscilloscope?
Do VAPoly16 or pocketOscilloscope have ads?
Which is updated more often, VAPoly16 or pocketOscilloscope?
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