VAPoly16 vs pocketOSC
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.
pocketOSC
This versatile audio tool generates various waveforms like Sine, Square, Saw, and Noise. It includes an oscilloscope and controls for wave, frequency, and volume, functioning as a plug-in or standalone application.
- Stereo capable oscillator
- Oscilloscope display
- Waveform generation (Sine, Square, Saw, Noise)
- Frequency and Volume control
- VST3, AU, AUv3 support
- Standalone operation
- Resizable and automatable GUI
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pocketOSC is a macOS, Windows, and now iOS compatible stereo capable oscillator. Designed for VST3, AU, AUv3, and stand-alone use. Complete with oscilloscope and controllable Wave, Frequency, & Volume. Test all your gear with Sine, Square, Saw, and Noise, oscillators. Plug-in GUI resizable and automatable parameters designed to recall with your various sessions. *Stand-alone allows for external audio device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: pocketOSC at $0.99 against VAPoly16's $14.99. pocketOSC also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). VAPoly16's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (13 vs 2). On rating, 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 pocketOSC $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for VAPoly16 against 5.0 for pocketOSC. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VAPoly16 has 13 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
VAPoly16 ships an update every 2 months, pocketOSC every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VAPoly16 | pocketOSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (13 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryo Togawa | OSC Audio |
Customer experience
VAPoly16
pocketOSC
In-app purchases
VAPoly16
No in-app purchases
pocketOSC
No in-app purchases
