# Caustic vs VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

The clearest difference is price: VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave at Free against Caustic's $9.99. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Caustic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download; Caustic costs $9.99 up front. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Caustic asks for nothing beyond the download.

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 176 and 132 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Caustic's written reviews are positive against 51% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Caustic ships an update every 4 months, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Caustic | VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.5 (176 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caustic/id775735447/reviews) | **[4.0 (132 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **176** | 132 |
| Positive reviews | **57.8% of reviews** | 51.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#144** | — |
| Size | 52 MB | 167 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 14.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rejean Poirier](https://appshunter.io/developer/775735450) | [Audiobus Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/672585101) |

## What reviewers say

### Caustic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caustic/id775735447)

**Currently charting:** #144 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Create music with a virtual synthesizer and sampler rig. Build your sound by adding up to 14 machines, including synths and drum machines. Features a mixer, effects, and a song sequencer for real-time audio production.

**Highlights:** Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer, Multi-sample wave synthesizer, Sampling drum machine, Effects rack with 20 effect types, Mixer desk with EQ and effects, Song sequencer, AudioBus and AudioCopy/Paste support

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful and feature-rich
- 👍 Intuitive workflow
- 🎨 Excellent sound quality
- 💸 Great value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔇 No Bluetooth audio support
- 📁 Difficulty accessing/exporting files
- 🔧 Needs more updates and bug fixes

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes on newer iPhones
- Interface scaling problems on larger screens
- Unresponsive controls in certain scenarios

**Requested features**

- Bluetooth audio support
- Improved file management and export options
- More synth/instrument options
- Expanded effects and mixing capabilities


### VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667)

This app creates unique synth sounds by recording classic synths to VHS tape and then resampling them. It offers a vast library of presets and effects to achieve lo-fi, retro vibes for various music genres. An AUv3 plugin and standalone app are included.

**Highlights:** VHS-recorded and resampled synths, Over 280+ presets, Standalone app and AUv3 plugin, VCR sound effects, VCR FX section for customization, Free expansion pack included

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Excellent lo-fi and retro 80s sound quality
- 🎹 Extensive library of high-quality presets
- 💰 Affordable pricing (at original purchase)
- 🎨 Intuitive and clean interface design
- 🔊 Versatile sounds for multiple genres

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Aggressive subscription model for previously purchased app
- 🔄 Conversion from AudioKit broke existing projects
- 📊 User data tracking added without clear benefit
- 🚫 Removed access to previously purchased presets/banks
- 😠 Lack of developer communication about changes

**Reported bugs**

- GarageBand compatibility broken after updates
- App not recognized in Logic Pro after updates
- Inconsistent sound quality across different registers
- Patch/preset settings not retained after closing DAW
- Audio Unit Extension crashes in GarageBand

**Requested features**

- Mac OS version for DAW compatibility
- Velocity sensitivity settings for keyboard
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels with actual functionality
- Better keyboard design with proper key sizing
- Improved UI layout to reduce wasted space in AUv3 mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Caustic free?

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

### Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Caustic or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave is rated higher. Caustic averages 3.5 out of 5 from 176 ratings, while VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave averages 4.0 from 132 ratings.

### Do Caustic or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave have ads?

VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave shows ads; Caustic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Caustic or VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave?

Caustic ships an update every 4 months, and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave every 2 weeks. Most recently, Caustic was updated on October 12, 2026 and VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave on October 7, 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.*