Comparison

VAPolyMk5 vs Raven Synth

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

Head to head
About

VAPolyMk5

This is a powerful bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer with a re-designed step sequencer. It offers advanced oscillator features, a cascaded OTA low-pass filter, and extensive modulation capabilities. Operate it as a standalone app or an AudioUnit Extension.

Highlights
  • Bitimbral polyphonic synthesis
  • Re-designed step sequencer
  • Hard sync and through zero FM oscillators
  • Cascaded OTA low-pass filter
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI 2.0 support
  • Built-in effects suite
Features
Read full description

VAPolyMk5 is bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer. Main feature of Mk5 is re-designed step sequencer which contains one note sequencer and three modulation sequencers. Oscillator feature hard sync and through zero FM. Low pass Filter is modeled on cascaded OTA -24dB per octave low pass filter circuit. Each synthesizer consists of three oscillators, resonant low pass and high pass filter, amplifier, three envelope generators, two LFO and key tracking. Two synthesizers can be configured as layer or split. Mk5 also features global LFO, output morphing, classic ring modulator and easy target assignment for mod wheel and aftertouch. VAPolyMk5 operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. 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 Synthesizer Oscillators feature hard sync and through zero FM. Low pass Filter is modeled on cascaded OTA -24dB per octave low pass filter circuit. Re-designed step sequencer Re-designed offset control Improved output morphing. Improved classic ring modulator. Improved key tracking Easy target assignment for mod wheel and aftertouch Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal and Per Note Control. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. General 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. UI Color can be selected from black, navy, gray or blown. Adjustable text size for title of controls Factory Preset 208 Synth CH Preset 256 Effect Preset 40 Default & Macro 8 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. 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. Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices or enable Low Power Mode in setting panel. App launches in Low Power Mode in the first time on device with iOS earlier than iOS 18.0 as mono-timbral.

About

Raven Synth

This powerful wavetable synthesizer allows musicians to draw custom waveforms and morph between them. Sculpt evolving textures with a deep effects chain and performance-ready interface for sound design and live playing.

Highlights
  • Dual drawable oscillators with wavetable morphing
  • Utility oscillator with sub, ring mod, FM, noise, and harmonics
  • Classic ladder filter with 12/24dB slope
  • Dual ADSR envelopes for filter and amp
  • Dual LFOs with drawable waveforms and modulation slots
  • Full effects chain including delay, reverb, chorus, and distortion
  • AUv3 instrument and MIDI support
Features
Read full description

RAVEN - Wavetable Morphing Synth RAVEN is a deep, expressive wavetable-morphing synthesizer designed for evolving textures and sculpted sound on iOS. Built for musicians, producers, and sound designers, Raven delivers drawable waveforms, real-time morphing, and a full effects chain in a clean, performance-ready interface - whether you're crafting pads, designing sounds, or playing live. Key Features: Dual drawable oscillators with wavetable morphing Utility oscillator (sub, ring mod, FM, noise, harmonics) Classic ladder filter with 12/24dB slope Dual ADSR envelopes (Filter + Amp) Dual LFOs with drawable waveforms, fade-in (up to 20s), and flexible modulation slots 12-band parametric EQ Delay, reverb, chorus, and distortion FX 56 factory presets with QR code sharing Touch-optimized performance controls AUv3 instrument support CoreMIDI & Bluetooth MIDI Designed for iPhone and iPad Raven is intentionally deep - every control shapes the sound. Draw your waveforms. Morph between them. Sculpt everything in between. Designed for exploration. Built for expression.

Screenshots

VAPolyMk54 screens
Raven Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Raven Synth at $6.99 against VAPolyMk5's $14.99. On review sentiment, 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

VAPolyMk5 costs $14.99 and Raven Synth $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VAPolyMk5 ships an update weekly, Raven Synth every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
VAPolyMk5 versus Raven Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyMk5Raven Synth
Price$14.99$6.99 — better
Rating—5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaSteffen Mølgaard Larsen

Customer experience

VAPolyMk5

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Raven Synth

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

VAPolyMk5

No in-app purchases

None

Raven Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPolyMk5 free?
VAPolyMk5 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Raven Synth free?
Raven Synth costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do VAPolyMk5 or Raven Synth have ads?
Neither VAPolyMk5 nor Raven Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VAPolyMk5 or Raven Synth?
VAPolyMk5 ships an update weekly, and Raven Synth every 4 days. Most recently, VAPolyMk5 was updated on September 19, 2026 and Raven Synth on August 15, 2026.

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