Comparison

VA vs VAPolyFMWest

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

Head to head
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.

About

VAPolyFMWest

This app combines FM and West Coast synthesis with a 4-operator FM engine and wave folder/lowpass gate. It offers a standalone mode with Ableton Link and MIDI support, plus an AudioUnit Extension for iOS and Mac. Includes built-in effects and a step sequencer.

Highlights
  • 4-operator FM synthesizer
  • Wave folder and lowpass gate
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
  • Built-in delay, chorus, reverb, EQ, compressor
  • 3-channel step sequencer
  • iCloud Drive project sharing
Features
Read full description

VAPolyFMWest is a combination of FM and West Coast synthesis. It features 4 operator, 8 waveform, 8 algorithm FM synthesizer inspired by iconic rack mount FM synthesizer in 1980’s and wave folder and lowpass gate, which are key components of the west coast synthesis. VAPolyFMWest 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 - FM Synthesizer - 4 operators, 8 waveforms and 8 algorithms - Wave folder and lowpass gate - 3 channel analog style step sequencer. - 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 Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. - Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) - 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, blown and red. - Font size for title of controls are adjustable. - Factory Preset 128 - Effects Preset 40 System Requirements - iOS 17.0 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.

Screenshots

VA3 screens
VAPolyFMWest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: VAPolyFMWest at every 4 days against VA's every 2 months. VAPolyFMWest also leads on price ($3.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.0). VA's advantage is chart position (#198 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases 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

VA costs $9.99 and VAPolyFMWest $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VA ships an update every 2 months, VAPolyFMWest every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
VA versus VAPolyFMWest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAVAPolyFMWest
Price$9.99$3.99 — better
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard GillespieRyo Togawa

In-app purchases

None

VA

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyFMWest

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VA free?
VA costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyFMWest free?
VAPolyFMWest costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do VA or VAPolyFMWest have ads?
Neither VA nor VAPolyFMWest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VA or VAPolyFMWest?
VA ships an update every 2 months, and VAPolyFMWest every 4 days. Most recently, VA was updated on October 31, 2026 and VAPolyFMWest on October 28, 2026.

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