Comparison

Polybeep vs VAPolyWest

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

Head to head
About

Polybeep

Create unique music with a polyrhythmic sound machine. Record or load samples, arrange them into looping shapes, and apply various effects. MIDI input is supported, and songs can be exported as WAV files.

Highlights
  • Polyrhythmic sound generation
  • Record microphone audio
  • Load sample files
  • Looping shape arrangement
  • Extensive audio effects
  • MIDI input support
  • Export to WAV
Features
Read full description

From the creators of DefleMask and Minimic, introducing Polybeep, a magnificent polyrhythmic sound machine designed to unlock your creativity. We even prepared a built-in tutorial to get you started. With aesthetically pleasing colors and design alongside unmatched visual feedback, you can really feel the beeping beeps and the poly rhythms. Yes, you can set up polyrhythms as easy as 3-4-5. You can record sounds directly from your microphone or load sample files. There’s some magic to make them sound great. Arrange the sounds into up to 6 looping shapes that can be configured as polygons of 3~16 vertices, then tweak their effects (delay, reverb, EQ, panning, chorus, and more), make a sequence of many melodies, and you’ll have a song in no time! You can even tap to change the tempo based on a rhythmic pulse. MIDI device input is as well supported! MIDI output coming soon! (notes, sync) macOS version is also available! Polybeep has been designed with a touch screen in mind from day one but it works perfectly fine on computers. When ready, you can save your songs and export them to wav files. We’d love to hear the songs that you come up with!

About

VAPolyWest

This app is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by 1960s California west coast synthesis. It features wave folding, lowpass gates, and step sequencers for generative music creation. It functions as a standalone app or an AudioUnit Extension across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog west coast style polyphonic synthesizer
  • Wave folder and lowpass gate
  • Step sequencer and envelope generators
  • Up to 8 voice polyphony
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
  • MIDI 2.0 support
  • Audio export options
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

VAPolyWest is inspired by synthesizers developed in California in the 1960’s. VAPolyWest features wave folder and lowpass gate, which are key components of the west coast synthesis. VAPolyWest also features 5 step sequencer and envelope generators which are designed to create generative music. VAPolyWest works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. - Main Features - Virtual analog west coast style polyphonic synthesizer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Wave folder and lowpass gate for West Coast Synthesis. Step sequencer and envelopes designed for generative music. Support MIDI 2.0 Built-in Sequencer. 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 8 clips. Piano Roll and Parameter automation. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - System Requirements - A13 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. Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.

Screenshots

Polybeep4 screens
VAPolyWest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Polybeep at $4.99 against VAPolyWest's $14.99. Polybeep also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). VAPolyWest's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 50%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). 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

Polybeep costs $4.99 and VAPolyWest $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VAPolyWest holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Polybeep's written reviews are positive against 75% of VAPolyWest's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Polybeep ships an update fortnightly, VAPolyWest every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on August 30, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Polybeep versus VAPolyWest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPolybeepVAPolyWest
Price$4.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings35 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#191 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeonardo DemartinoRyo Togawa

Customer experience

Polybeep

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

VAPolyWest

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Polybeep

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyWest

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Polybeep free?
Polybeep costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyWest free?
VAPolyWest costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Polybeep or VAPolyWest?
VAPolyWest is rated higher. Polybeep averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while VAPolyWest averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Polybeep or VAPolyWest have ads?
Neither Polybeep nor VAPolyWest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Polybeep or VAPolyWest?
Polybeep ships an update fortnightly, and VAPolyWest every 10 months. Most recently, Polybeep was updated on August 30, 2026 and VAPolyWest on September 20, 2026.

Other comparisons