Comparison

Reel Recorder vs VA

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

Head to head
About

Reel Recorder

Features
Read full description

Reel Recorder is a vintage tape voice recorder. Tap the red button to record from your microphone, then spin the reel to hear your audio forward or backward. TAP TO RECORD Start a recording with one tap and watch the live level meter. Your recordings stay on your device. SPIN TO REPLAY Drag the reel to move through a recording. Playback follows the speed and direction of your hand. A demo tape is included so you can try the controls before recording. TAPE CONTROLS Use the spring-return FF/REW rocker and physical-style play, stop, and skip buttons. Turn your phone to use the landscape layout. FREE & PRO The free version supports one recording of up to 30 seconds and FF/REW up to 2x speed. A small banner may appear below the recorder after applicable advertising consent. Pro is an optional one-time purchase. It removes ads and adds unlimited recordings, FF/REW up to 8x speed, custom skip intervals, and 24-bit / 48kHz recording. The second deck, dual-deck mixing, and A-B repeat are Pro features. Microphone access is used when you start recording.

About

VA

Features
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

Reel Recorder3 screens
VA3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Reel Recorder at Free against VA's $24.99. Reel Recorder also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). VA's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown).

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Reel Recorder is free to download; VA costs $24.99 up front. Reel Recorder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. VA asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reel Recorder ships an update every 2 weeks, VA every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences Ā· 0 level
Reel Recorder versus VA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReel RecorderVA
PriceFree — better$24.99
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerseunghyun choRichard Gillespie

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reel Recorder

One-time1
  • Reel Recorder Pro$2.99
None

VA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reel Recorder free?
Reel Recorder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VA free?
VA costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reel Recorder or VA have ads?
Reel Recorder shows ads; VA does not.
Which is updated more often, Reel Recorder or VA?
Reel Recorder ships an update every 2 weeks, and VA every 6 weeks. Most recently, Reel Recorder was updated on October 25, 2026 and VA on October 22, 2026.

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