Comparison

8 vs VA

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

Head to head
About

8

Create fast 8-bit and electronic music with this step sequencer. Program drums and melodies, arrange song structures with custom playback flows, and export your audio. Use it as an AUv3 instrument in compatible hosts.

Highlights
  • Step sequencer for drums and melodies
  • Customizable playback flows for song structure
  • AUv3 instrument extension
  • Save and export audio
  • One-tap randomization for idea sketching
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Whether you are exploring chiptune for the first time or quickly capturing a retro electronic idea, 8-bit Music Master offers a straightforward, lightweight workflow. In the standalone app, program drums, Melody 1, and Melody 2 one step at a time. Switch octave ranges, reveal semitone notes, or use random generation as a starting point, then edit every note and hit yourself. Custom playback flows let you arrange the page order and repeat count of each part separately, turning short patterns into longer sections. Save your projects and export a finished mix, MIDI file, or separate stems for further production and sharing. Four AUv3 plugins are included: • Chip Synth — retro waveforms, presets, arpeggiation, sound shaping, and step sequencing • Six-Voice Drum Machine — kick, snare, closed and open hats, clap, and tom, with swing, presets, and a host-synced 16-step pattern sequencer • 8-bit FX — bit-depth and sample-rate reduction, drive, digital noise, stereo width, and tempo-synced delay • Chip Seq MIDI — a host-synced 16-step MIDI generator with pitch, velocity, gate, length, and swing controls Use the suite in compatible hosts such as Loopy Pro. The instruments and audio effect can also run in GarageBand; Chip Seq MIDI requires a host that supports AUv3 MIDI routing. The app is designed to help you begin quickly while leaving every pattern open for hands-on editing, so generated ideas can still become your own.

About

VA

Features
Currently charting
Read full description

VA-1 is a focused virtual-analog synthesizer for musicians, producers, and sound designers who want a fast, hands-on way to create their own sounds. Play, sequence, record, and shape sounds from one direct interface inspired by classic hardware synths. No subscription. No in-app purchases. No ads. No account required. — SYNTHESIZER — • Up to 16-voice polyphony • Two oscillators plus a sub oscillator • Independent oscillator noise controls • Multi-mode filter with resonance • Amp and filter ADSR envelopes • One LFO per voice • Chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb effects Explore the included factory sounds, customize any preset, mark favorites, and save your own creations. — SEQUENCER & WAV EXPORT — Record and loop sequences while shaping the sound, change the pattern length, or use KEY mode to transpose a sequence from the keyboard. Capture VA-1’s stereo output while you play, then preview, save, or share the recording as a WAV file. Sequencer loops can also be exported directly to WAV using the current sound, tempo, and effects. Recording captures only VA-1’s internally generated output. It does not use the microphone or record audio-interface inputs. — MIDI & AUv3 — • External MIDI input and output • Send MIDI from the keyboard or sequencer to external instruments • MIDI Learn for mapping hardware controls • Standard MIDI CC support • AUv3 instrument support in compatible hosts • Background audio • Support for class-compliant USB audio interfaces — ONE PURCHASE, ALL YOUR DEVICES — VA-1 is a universal purchase. Buy it once and install it on iPhone, iPad, and Mac at no additional cost.

Screenshots

84 screens
VA3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 8 at $1.99 against VA's $9.99. 8 also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases, chart position 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

8 costs $1.99 and VA $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

8 ships an update every 4 days, VA every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
8 versus VA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter8VA
Price$1.99 — better$9.99
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#193 — better#198
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer宁 徐Richard Gillespie

In-app purchases

None

8

No in-app purchases

None

VA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 8 free?
8 costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VA free?
VA costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do 8 or VA have ads?
Neither 8 nor VA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 8 or VA?
8 ships an update every 4 days, and VA every 2 months. Most recently, 8 was updated on October 25, 2026 and VA on October 31, 2026.
Which is more popular, 8 or VA?
8 currently peaks at #193 in the App Store charts, and VA at #198. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons