# iVCS3 vs EG Pulse

The clearest difference is rating: iVCS3 at 4.9 against EG Pulse's 4.4. iVCS3 also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 67%). EG Pulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

iVCS3 costs $19.99 and EG Pulse $14.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. EG Pulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 206 and 147 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of iVCS3's written reviews are positive against 67% of EG Pulse's.

iVCS3 ships an update every 2 months, EG Pulse every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iVCS3 | EG Pulse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$14.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (206 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivcs3/id665703927/reviews)** | [4.4 (147 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eg-pulse/id1478285477/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **206** | 147 |
| Positive reviews | **90.7% of reviews** | 67.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 107 MB | 268 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [apeSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/464660782) | [Elliott Garage](https://appshunter.io/developer/454709866) |

## 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


### EG Pulse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eg-pulse/id1478285477)

Create intricate rhythms and beats with a powerful drum machine and sampler. Import your own sounds, edit samples, and apply effects. Use it standalone or as an AudioUnit within other music production apps.

**Highlights:** Standalone and AU3 AudioUnit support, Import and edit custom drum samples, Individual pad effects (reverb, delay, EQ), Pattern automation and probability mode, Over 40 included drumkits and 180 grooves, Ableton Link and MIDI support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iVCS3 free?

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

### Is EG Pulse free?

EG Pulse costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iVCS3 or EG Pulse?

iVCS3 is rated higher. iVCS3 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 206 ratings, while EG Pulse averages 4.4 from 147 ratings.

### Do iVCS3 or EG Pulse have ads?

Neither iVCS3 nor EG Pulse shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iVCS3 or EG Pulse?

iVCS3 ships an update every 2 months, and EG Pulse every 4 days. Most recently, iVCS3 was updated on October 14, 2026 and EG Pulse on October 16, 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.*