Comparison

VAPolyMT vs variStretch

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

Head to head
About

VAPolyMT

This powerful synthesizer app offers bi-timbral polyphony with analog-style sequencers and assignable macro controls. It functions as a standalone application or an AudioUnit Extension, supporting MIDI, Ableton Link, and audio export. Project files are savable via iCloud Drive for cross-platform access.

Highlights
  • Bi-timbral polyphonic synthesizer
  • Analog-style step sequencer per timbre
  • Assignable macro controls
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI support
  • iCloud Drive project sharing
  • Built-in effects and piano roll editor
Features
Read full description

VAPolyMT is a bi-timbral polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features analog style step sequencer per timbre and assignable macro controls. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Each synthesizer consists of two oscillators, mixer, resonant low pass filter, resonant hight pass filter and amplifier. The synthesizers can be layered or can be split. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. VAPolyMT also includes sequencer which features piano roll editor and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features Bi-timbral polyphonic subtractive synthesizer. Analog Style Step Sequencer per timbre. Eight Assignable Controllers. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal and Per Note Control. 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. Include more than 200 Factory Presets. Improvements Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) Support MIDI2.0 Per Note Control Messages MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. System Requirements iOS 17.0 or later macOS 14.0 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.

About

variStretch

This app allows real-time audio speed manipulation without altering pitch. It offers three distinct playback modes and adjustable buffer settings for precise control over sound processing.

Highlights
  • Real-time speed adjustment (0.5-2.0x)
  • Tape mode (speed & pitch change)
  • Phase Vocoder mode (speed only)
  • Adjustable buffer size
  • Buffer clear function
  • AUv3 host compatibility
Read full description

Concept: The app is a so-called time-stretch machine. The user can change the speed (0.5-2.0) of audio source in real-time using keyboard or slider at will. Usage: There are three play modes: 1) Tape (to change the both speed & pitch) 2) Phase Vocoder (to change the speed alone) 3) Thru (no processing) "Buffer Size" slider determines how long the data will be stored. "Buffer Clear" button will reset the buffer to be zero. System Requirements: AUv3 host

Screenshots

VAPolyMT4 screens
variStretch2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: variStretch at $5.99 against VAPolyMT's $14.99. variStretch also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). VAPolyMT's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

VAPolyMT costs $14.99 and variStretch $5.99 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 VAPolyMT against 5.0 for variStretch. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VAPolyMT ships an update every 11 months, variStretch every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
VAPolyMT versus variStretch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyMTvariStretch
Price$14.99$5.99 — better
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 7 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaSatoshi Kajii

Customer experience

VAPolyMT

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

variStretch

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

VAPolyMT

No in-app purchases

None

variStretch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPolyMT free?
VAPolyMT costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is variStretch free?
variStretch costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VAPolyMT or variStretch?
VAPolyMT and variStretch are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do VAPolyMT or variStretch have ads?
Neither VAPolyMT nor variStretch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VAPolyMT or variStretch?
VAPolyMT ships an update every 11 months, and variStretch every 7 months. Most recently, VAPolyMT was updated on September 20, 2026 and variStretch on September 6, 2026.

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