# VAPolyMk5 vs Retromulator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VAPolyMk5 at 100% against Retromulator's 50%. Retromulator's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $14.99) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

VAPolyMk5 costs $14.99 and Retromulator $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

VAPolyMk5 ships an update weekly, Retromulator every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VAPolyMk5 | Retromulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **$9.99** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 21 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ryo Togawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1474193056) | [DiscoDSP LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1465262828) |

## What reviewers say

### VAPolyMk5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vapolymk5/id6761029576)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Retromulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retromulator/id6764767449)

This app recreates legendary vintage synthesizers, samplers, and keyboards through accurate emulation. It functions as a standalone application or an AUv3 plugin, offering classic electronic music hardware sounds on iOS devices.

**Highlights:** Cycle-accurate hardware emulation, AUv3 plugin support, Standalone app functionality, Full MIDI control, ROM firmware loading, Background audio support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VAPolyMk5 free?

VAPolyMk5 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Retromulator free?

Retromulator costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do VAPolyMk5 or Retromulator have ads?

Neither VAPolyMk5 nor Retromulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VAPolyMk5 or Retromulator?

VAPolyMk5 ships an update weekly, and Retromulator every 3 days. Most recently, VAPolyMk5 was updated on September 19, 2026 and Retromulator on September 20, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*