Comparison

VAPolyMod vs Patchsynth

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

Head to head
About

VAPolyMod

This app is a polyphonic synthesizer with a modular architecture offering multiple audio routing configurations. It includes a step sequencer, built-in effects, and supports various MIDI and audio export options. Projects can be shared across devices via iCloud.

Highlights
  • Modular architecture with 4 audio routing configurations
  • Dual VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs
  • 6 envelope generators and 5 LFOs
  • Built-in effects (delay, chorus, reverb, etc.)
  • 3-channel analog style step sequencer
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI 2.0 support
Features
Read full description

VAPolyMod features a preconfigured modular architecture that offers four audio routing configurations of voice modules, consisting of dual VCOs, dual VCFs, and dual VCAs, ranging from stereo channels to layered channels. It also contains 6 envelope generators and five LFOs. VAPolyMod 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 - Polyphonic Synthesizer. - a preconfigured modular architecture that offers four audio routing configurations - Low pass Filter is modeled on cascaded OTA -24dB per octave low pass filter circuit. - 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.

About

Patchsynth

Features
Read full description

Patchsynth is a Eurorack-style modular synthesizer for iPhone and iPad — and a place to actually learn how modular synthesis works, one patch cable at a time. Instead of a fixed synth engine with knobs, you build your own instrument by dragging cables between modules: oscillators into filters, envelopes into amplifiers, LFOs wobbling anything you point them at. If you've ever wanted to understand what a Eurorack rig actually does, this is the fastest way in. LEARN BY PATCHING, NOT BY READING 28 hands-on Lessons cover every module, from your first oscillator to full generative patches — some just explain, others build a real patch step-by-step in front of you as you tap "Next." No prior synthesis knowledge required. TRAIN YOUR EAR 15 Challenges hide a patch and play it for you — your job is to rebuild it by ear, with hints if you get stuck. A genuinely fun way to internalize how filters, envelopes, and modulation actually sound. 21 REAL MODULES Oscillator · Filter · VCA · ADSR Envelope · LFO · Noise · Delay · Reverb · Mixer · Sequencer · Arpeggiator · Clock · Attenuverter · Quantizer · Slew Limiter · Sample & Hold · Logic · Ring Modulator · Sampler · Keyboard · Output (with a live oscilloscope) Record your own sounds with the Sampler, or use the built-in factory drum kit. Quantize any CV to a musical scale. Chain multiple clocks for polyrhythms. It's a real modular rig, just without the cables costing $30 each. 70+ FACTORY PATCHES From simple bass and pad sounds to sprawling, 20+ module "flagship" patches — browse them, load them, take them apart to see how they're wired, then make them your own. PLAY IT WITH REAL GEAR Full MIDI support over Bluetooth or USB — plug in any MIDI keyboard or controller and play your patch's Keyboard module directly, no setup beyond pairing. BUILT FOR TOUCH, NOT PORTED FROM DESKTOP Every interaction — dragging cables, turning knobs, panning and zooming a big patch — is designed for a phone screen from the ground up. A dedicated Patch Bay view even gives you a spreadsheet-style matrix of every connection when patches get complex. Undo and redo everything. Save as many patches as you like. No ads, no in-app purchases, no internet connection required — just synthesis.

Screenshots

VAPolyMod4 screens
Patchsynth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Patchsynth at $7.99 against VAPolyMod's $14.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

VAPolyMod costs $14.99 and Patchsynth $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
VAPolyMod versus Patchsynth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyModPatchsynth
Price$14.99$7.99 — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaMartin Adler

In-app purchases

None

VAPolyMod

No in-app purchases

None

Patchsynth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPolyMod free?
VAPolyMod costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Patchsynth free?
Patchsynth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do VAPolyMod or Patchsynth have ads?
Neither VAPolyMod nor Patchsynth shows ads.

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