Comparison

Performance Sampler vs VAPolyLoop

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

Head to head
About

Performance Sampler

Create malleable, performative sound with dynamic, real-time effects. This app offers a tactile approach to sample-based music creation with multi-touch gestures to sculpt audio. Explore new sounds, jam on the go, or perform live with a clean, fluid interface and robust sound-shaping tools.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio manipulation
  • Multi-touch gestures for sound sculpting
  • Customizable sample pads with FX chains
  • Parametric EQ and tuner per pad
  • Sequencer with up to 512 steps
  • Ableton Link integration
  • Resampling and mic/line in recording
Read full description

Samposium is a performance sampler built for real-time audio manipulation. Through fluid, multi-touch gestures inspired by modular synthesizers and the spirit of improvisation, you bend, shape, twist, and sculpt samples into rich, textured arrangements — sample putty you mold live, not just trigger. Whether you're playing live, jamming on the go, or exploring new sounds, Samposium turns your iPad or iPhone into an interactive musical instrument, welcoming to complete beginners and seasoned musicians alike. New in this release: Sequences just leveled up into Patterns. Build and edit up to 8 patterns (A–H) live, without ever stopping playback, so a simple loop can grow into a full arrangement without you ever losing the moment. Grab a Bluetooth MIDI controller and take hands-on control — every mapping in your project now lives in one screen, so you always know exactly what's wired to what. Professional beat-making and sound design at your fingertips • Create fully customizable sample pads - adjust colors, sizes, positions, and behaviors to match your style • Design unique sounds with independent effects chains on every pad, complete with 3-band EQ, tuning, and full effect order control • Layer drums realistically with choke groups, mute or solo any pad at a glance, and craft intricate beats with a powerful 64-step sequencer, up to 512 unique steps • Instantly clear every mute or solo with one tap when things get chaotic mid-set • Tap anywhere on a waveform to hear that exact moment instantly, even while the sequencer keeps running Record and capture your sound • Connect a USB audio interface and choose exactly which input channel feeds which pad, with mono/stereo recording and channel metering • Record your own samples or layer in royalty-free sounds with live Mic/Line In recording and resampling • Bundled project demos and 300+ MB of royalty-free samples to spark creativity immediately Make music your way, anywhere • Adaptive interface that flows seamlessly between portrait and landscape orientations • Choose from multiple layouts designed for different workflows - prioritize what matters to you • Show or hide views to keep your focus exactly where it needs to be • Fully customizable colors and colorblind-friendly options with light and dark modes Collaborate and create without limits • Sync seamlessly with other music apps and hardware using Ableton Link • Full MIDI control with visual feedback - map every pad, effect, and sequencer action with "push to learn," using wired or Bluetooth MIDI controllers • Per-pad MIDI settings for advanced production control • Get quick inspiration with intelligent randomization that respects your settings Stay in the creative flow • Quick-save and auto-save so your ideas are never lost, plus quick access to your 5 most recent projects • Intuitive multi-touch gestures and controls designed for fast, expressive playing • Effect range controls and step-size quantization for precise sound sculpting Everything you need, nothing you don't • One purchase, no subscriptions - create forever • Comprehensive user guide to master every feature • Works as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin, with full audio recording support • Run multiple instances of Samposium side-by-side inside your DAW What people are saying: "I'm always excited about any new, powerful multi-layer sampler for iOS. In this, I really like how fluid the interface and workflow are here." - Synth Anatomy "It's for music creation with your samples and it's for live jamming and it does all kinds of cool stuff. It's very elegant with the way it's been designed." - The Sound Test Room "It's fun, it is a performance sampler. There are no in-app purchases with this, you pay for it once! It works on your iPhone, it works on your iPad" - JadeStarr Questions? help@synthfamdsp.com Join our community on Discord https://www.synthfamdsp.com/#community

About

VAPolyLoop

Create complex music with a polyphonic synthesizer and analog-style step sequencer. Features multiple oscillators, a resonant low-pass filter, distortion, and various built-in effects. Export audio in multiple formats and sync with other devices via Ableton Link.

Highlights
  • Polyphonic synthesizer with 3 oscillators
  • Analog-style step sequencer
  • Resonant low-pass filter
  • Distortion and other built-in effects (delay, reverb, EQ)
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI 2.0 support
  • Audio export in AIFF, WAV, CAF, and AAC
Features
Read full description

VAPolyLoop features lowpass filter and amplifier which are optimized for playing by step sequencer. VAPolyLoop contains polyphonic synthesizer and analog style step sequencer. The synthesizer consists of three oscillators, resonant low pass filter, amplifier, distortion effect and five LFO. VAPolyLoop operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features Polyphonic Synthesizer. Lowpass filter modeled on diode ladder filter. Distortion Effects Analog style step sequencer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal and Per Note Control. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Full Factory Preset: 96, Effect: 40 Improvements Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. UI Color can be selected from black, navy or gray. System Requirements iOS 17.0 or later Devices with Apple Silicon are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. if sound is distorted when using a device with less CPU power, reduce number of voices. 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.

Screenshots

Performance Sampler4 screens
VAPolyLoop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: VAPolyLoop at monthly against Performance Sampler's every 2 months. VAPolyLoop also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

Performance Sampler costs $14.99 and VAPolyLoop $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Performance Sampler against 5.0 for VAPolyLoop. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Performance Sampler ships an update every 2 months, VAPolyLoop monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Performance Sampler versus VAPolyLoop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPerformance SamplerVAPolyLoop
Price$14.99$14.99
Rating5.0 (7 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.616.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size411 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua TotemwongseRyo Togawa

Customer experience

Performance Sampler

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VAPolyLoop

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Performance Sampler

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyLoop

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Performance Sampler free?
Performance Sampler costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyLoop free?
VAPolyLoop costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Performance Sampler or VAPolyLoop?
Performance Sampler and VAPolyLoop are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Performance Sampler or VAPolyLoop have ads?
Neither Performance Sampler nor VAPolyLoop shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Performance Sampler or VAPolyLoop?
Performance Sampler ships an update every 2 months, and VAPolyLoop monthly. Most recently, Performance Sampler was updated on September 22, 2026 and VAPolyLoop on September 27, 2026.

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