# MESA Synth AUv3 vs PLICATA

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MESA Synth AUv3 at 100% against PLICATA's 50%. PLICATA's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

MESA Synth AUv3 costs $8.99 and PLICATA $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PLICATA holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of MESA Synth AUv3's written reviews are positive against 50% of PLICATA's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MESA Synth AUv3 ships an update every 2 months, PLICATA every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | MESA Synth AUv3 | PLICATA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $8.99 | **$7.99** |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mesa-synth-auv3/id6784279560/reviews) | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plicata/id6810792998/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 10 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.4 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Juan Maguid](https://appshunter.io/developer/1680114440) | [Alessandro Guardascione](https://appshunter.io/developer/6810215306) |

## What reviewers say

### MESA Synth AUv3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mesa-synth-auv3/id6784279560)

This music creation tool transforms visuals into sound by rendering shaders and images into wavetables. It offers a powerful synthesis engine, extensive sound-shaping capabilities, and a full effects rack, all controllable through light and visual input.

**Highlights:** Visual-to-audio wavetable synthesis, Unison oscillator stack with sub-oscillator, Zero-delay-feedback filter, Vision panel for sound shaping with light, 26 stackable visual modifiers as audio effects, 8-stage stereo FX rack, Sampler mode with auto pitch-tracking

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PLICATA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plicata/id6810792998)

This is a compact monophonic synthesizer for hands-on sound design and performance. It features a morphing oscillator, wavefolding, a resonant filter, and a flexible VCA contour, with an independent SUB oscillator for added depth. A 28-socket patch system allows for extensive audio, CV, and event routing.

**Highlights:** Morphing oscillator with wavefolding, Independent SUB oscillator, 28-socket patch system, Microtonal XY keyboard, 32-step arpeggiator, Performance macros, AUv3 support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MESA Synth AUv3 free?

MESA Synth AUv3 costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PLICATA free?

PLICATA costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MESA Synth AUv3 or PLICATA?

PLICATA is rated higher. MESA Synth AUv3 averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while PLICATA averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do MESA Synth AUv3 or PLICATA have ads?

Neither MESA Synth AUv3 nor PLICATA shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MESA Synth AUv3 or PLICATA?

MESA Synth AUv3 ships an update every 2 months, and PLICATA every 2 days. Most recently, MESA Synth AUv3 was updated on October 24, 2026 and PLICATA on October 24, 2026.

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