# VisualSound vs Tonic FX

The clearest difference is price: Tonic FX at $9.99 against VisualSound's $19.99. Tonic FX also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). VisualSound's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

VisualSound costs $19.99 and Tonic FX $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for VisualSound against 5.0 for Tonic FX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

VisualSound ships an update every 2 days, Tonic FX weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VisualSound | Tonic FX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$9.99** |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visualsound-av-modular-synth/id6791189371/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tonic-fx-multi-effects/id6792166457/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 40 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mike Gazzaruso](https://appshunter.io/developer/1369584675) | [Rubens Felicio](https://appshunter.io/developer/6775565794) |

## What reviewers say

### VisualSound

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visualsound-av-modular-synth/id6791189371)

This app is a modular instrument that synthesizes sound and visuals using a unified patching system. Explore over 140 modules for audio, control, and graphics, and even generate custom effects with AI. It's designed for performance and integrates with your existing studio setup.

**Highlights:** Unified sound and visual patching, Over 140 modules (sound, control, visuals, code), AI-powered module creation, GPU-native visuals, Performance-oriented features, AUv3 integration and hosting, Cross-device functionality (iPad, Mac, iPhone)

**In-app purchases:** none


### Tonic FX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tonic-fx-multi-effects/id6792166457)

Create custom audio effect chains for your music. This app allows you to build and reorder a variety of effects, from distortion and modulation to time-based and dynamic processors, for use in standalone mode or with compatible music production hosts.

**Highlights:** Customizable effect rack, Reorderable effect chain, 24 built-in effects, Standalone app and AUv3 plugin, MIDI Learn for hardware control, Tempo sync for time-based effects, Preset library

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VisualSound free?

VisualSound costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Tonic FX free?

Tonic FX costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, VisualSound or Tonic FX?

VisualSound and Tonic FX are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do VisualSound or Tonic FX have ads?

Neither VisualSound nor Tonic FX shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VisualSound or Tonic FX?

VisualSound ships an update every 2 days, and Tonic FX weekly. Most recently, VisualSound was updated on September 30, 2026 and Tonic FX on October 10, 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.*