# iVCS3 vs ARP ODYSSEi

The clearest difference is price: iVCS3 at $19.99 against ARP ODYSSEi's $29.99. iVCS3 also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 65%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). ARP ODYSSEi's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

iVCS3 costs $19.99 and ARP ODYSSEi $29.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and ARP ODYSSEi sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 206 and 336 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of iVCS3's written reviews are positive against 65% of ARP ODYSSEi's.

iVCS3 ships an update every 2 months, ARP ODYSSEi every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iVCS3 | ARP ODYSSEi |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$19.99** | $29.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (206 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivcs3/id665703927/reviews)** | [4.6 (336 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arp-odyssei/id1147432809/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 206 | **336** |
| Positive reviews | **90.7% of reviews** | 64.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 107 MB | 222 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **9.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [apeSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/464660782) | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) |

## What reviewers say

### iVCS3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivcs3/id665703927)

This application emulates the iconic EMS VCS3 synthesizer, a pioneering portable synthesizer from 1969. It recreates the original's unique sound generation capabilities, including its oscillators, filters, and patch matrix, allowing users to explore its distinctive sonic palette.

**Highlights:** Official EMS VCS3 emulation, Three oscillators (2 VCOs, 1 LFO), Noise generator, Voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), Patch board matrix, Joy-stick controller, Voltage controlled spring reverb

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Red Sky Lullaby - 180 Presets | Free | one-time |
| Singe Difficile by RUST(i)K | Free | one-time |
| RUMBLE | Free | one-time |
| OLD GRIT - COLLECTION | Free | one-time |
| JEC 2018 Iconic PinkFloyd | Free | one-time |
| JEC EMS-50 | Free | one-time |
| SINAPSYA - Under The Dust | $2.99 | one-time |
| LALA - Sonic Pleasures | $3.99 | one-time |
| JEC Mega Bank | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essential EMS Modifications | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Faithful recreation of the original
- 👍 Powerful and versatile sound
- 🎨 Gorgeous vintage interface
- 💡 Additional features beyond the original
- 🎛️ Excellent integration with MIDI and other apps

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Steep learning curve
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate the matrix

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not loading
- Crashes on iOS 15.04
- Sampler not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- Mac compatibility
- Improved preset management
- Expanded sampling capabilities


### ARP ODYSSEi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arp-odyssei/id1147432809)

Experience the iconic ARP analog synthesizer sound on your mobile device. This app faithfully reproduces the classic hardware with enhanced features like polyphony and built-in effects. Explore new sonic possibilities with its advanced arpeggiator and optional design revisions.

**Highlights:** Faithful circuit modeling of ARP ODYSSEY, Polyphony and chord playing, Programmable step sequencer arpeggiator, Built-in effects, Optional design revisions (Rev1, Rev2, Rev3), Integration with KORG Gadget

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Odyssey Rev1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Odyssey Rev2 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Faithful recreation of the original ARP Odyssey
- 👍 Great sound quality and accurate emulation
- 🎹 Polyphonic and duophonic capabilities
- 🔊 Impressive built-in effects and sequencer
- 💻 Works well as a standalone app and within Gadget

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔧 Lack of MIDI implementation (no program change, MIDI learn)
- 🔀 Issues with tuning and pitch tracking, especially in Gadget
- 🔒 No AUv3 support, limiting integration with other apps
- 📱 Small controls and interface can be difficult on smaller devices
- 🔋 CPU-intensive, causing performance issues on some devices

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to import user presets
- Disappearing sound issues
- Arpeggiator not working correctly within Gadget

**Requested features**

- Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Implement MIDI learn and program change functionality
- Improve tuning and pitch tracking, especially in Gadget
- Optimize performance and reduce CPU usage
- Provide larger UI controls and better support for larger iPad screens


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iVCS3 free?

iVCS3 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is ARP ODYSSEi free?

ARP ODYSSEi costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iVCS3 or ARP ODYSSEi?

iVCS3 is rated higher. iVCS3 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 206 ratings, while ARP ODYSSEi averages 4.6 from 336 ratings.

### Do iVCS3 or ARP ODYSSEi have ads?

Neither iVCS3 nor ARP ODYSSEi shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iVCS3 or ARP ODYSSEi?

iVCS3 ships an update every 2 months, and ARP ODYSSEi every 8 months. Most recently, iVCS3 was updated on October 21, 2026 and ARP ODYSSEi on October 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*