rhodopsin vs VKO1
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
rhodopsin
This app is a video synthesizer designed for live performances. It allows users to mix video sources and apply a series of three effects. Parameters for sources, mixers, and effects can be manipulated using LFOs, envelopes, and MIDI.
- Video source mixing
- Three sequential effects
- LFO and envelope control
- MIDI parameter control
- Live performance focused
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rhodopsin is a video synthesizer for live video performances. It feeds video sources into a mixer into three effects in series. Source, mixer and effect parameters can be controlled by LFOs, envelopes and MIDI.
VKO1
Create stunning, real-time visuals for your music performances without needing VJ experience. Load clips, sync to your BPM, and let the app handle the visuals hands-free with automated mixing and effects. Build custom reactive visuals using a node editor and import your own shaders.
- Automated beat-synced visual mixing
- Node editor for custom visual creation
- Import custom Metal shaders
- Real-time GPU-accelerated effects
- Multiple control options (iPhone, iPad, MIDI, gamepad)
- Music sync via tap tempo, MIDI clock, Ableton Link
- Downloadable visualizers from the store
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WHAT IS VKO1 (VisualKO) VKO1 is a visual performance app for iPad, iPhone, and Apple Silicon Mac — built for musicians and DJs who want stunning visuals without a dedicated VJ. Load your clips, set your BPM, and let it run. Made for performers You're playing. VKO1 stays locked to your music and keeps visuals moving — no babysitting required. Automix does the work MIX mode pulls from all 8 banks, auto-switches on the beat, and rotates effects automatically. A full visual set, hands-free. Build your own visuals The Node Editor lets you wire together generators, modifiers, and combiners into custom reactive visuals — no coding needed. Import your own Metal shaders or start from scratch. Browse the Store Download free and premium GPU visualizers — real-time Metal shaders that run directly on your device. No video files. No lag. Drop them straight into your set and go. Control from anywhere iPhone in your pocket, iPad on a stand, MIDI controller on your table, Bluetooth gamepad in your hand. AirPlay to the big screen — no cables. 51 real-time effects All BPM-synced, all GPU-accelerated via Metal. One knob controls everything playing. Stays in sync Tap tempo, MIDI clock, Ableton Link — four ways to lock visuals to your music.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: rhodopsin at 100% against VKO1's 0%. rhodopsin also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). VKO1's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On ads, monetization model and device support 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
rhodopsin costs $9.99 and VKO1 $11.99 up front. VKO1 sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. rhodopsin asks for nothing beyond the download.
rhodopsin holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: rhodopsin has 25 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of rhodopsin's written reviews are positive against 0% of VKO1's.
rhodopsin ships an update every 2 months, VKO1 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | rhodopsin | VKO1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $11.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (25 ratings) — better | 4.5 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 25 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 293 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Christopher Barth | Juan Maguid |
Customer experience
rhodopsin
VKO1
In-app purchases
rhodopsin
No in-app purchases
VKO1
- Phosphor Cult Shader Pack$1.99
- Computer Veld Pack$1.99
- Alchemist Sketchbook Pack$1.99
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- Daft Cyber Pack$1.99
