Comparison

Tera Synth vs VAPolyMk3

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

Head to head
About

Tera Synth

Create unique sounds beyond traditional synthesizers with a modular analog and digital synthesis workstation. Combine physical modeling, wireless patching, and built-in effects for a fat, individual sound. Features a programmable arpeggiator and live playing options.

Highlights
  • Modular analog and digital synthesis
  • Physical modeling modules
  • Wireless patching and modulation routing
  • Built-in distortion, delay, chorus, phaser, and reverb effects
  • Programmable arpeggiator
  • Live playing with onscreen keyboard and MIDI support
  • Audiobus and Inter-App-Audio integration
Read full description

Tera Synth - Modular Analog Synthesizer Explore new sound spaces with Tera Synth that go beyond the emulation of synthesizer legends. Use the power of analog and digital synthesis combined with new modules for physical modelling. Wireless patching of modules combined with an intelligible modulation routing simplifies the development of new synthesizer designs from scratch. Distortion effect, Delay/Chorus/Phaser and Reverb effects give your sounds the final polishing. Tera Synth gives your music an individual character with its unique fat sound. The well-designed algorithms and the economical modular structure provides you with a comparatively high voice yield. Precise timing with the unique built-in Arpeggiator let you feel the rhythm. Tera Synth supports Audiobus and Inter-App-Audio for integration with other Music Apps. Modular Analog Synthesis • Modular synthesizer with free connections between modules. • 25 Sound Modules • 4 Low frequency oscillators • 4 Standard ADSR Envelope generators. • 4 Multi Segment Envelopes with tempo sync. • 64 time/level segments per envelope • Monophonic or polyphonic with up to 32 voices. • More than 920 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared. FX • Chorus with four delay lines. • 8 pole Analog Phaser. • Distortion effect with Tube/Tape emulation • Stereo Echo/Delay effect. • Hi end reverberation unit. Live • Play melodies live with the onscreen keyboard. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato. • Optionally use CoreMIDI* compatible hardware keyboard. • Dozens of scales selectable • Variable Keyboard layout for scale optimized playing Full featured programmable Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps. • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Global • Audiobus 3 compatible (Input slot) with Preset saving. • Inter App Audio • AudioUnit AUv3 with parameter automation • Ableton Link compatible • Audio pasteboard. Copy audio recordings to Clipboard for use with other Apps • Exchange user presets with File Sharing in iTunes. • Support for MIDI input/output connections. • MIDI learn functionality.

About

VAPolyMk3

This polyphonic synthesizer offers multi-synthesis capabilities inspired by classic analog synths. Explore subtractive and modular FM synthesis with extensive oscillator routing, built-in effects, and an analog-style sequencer. Save projects via iCloud for seamless cross-platform use.

Highlights
  • Multi-synthesis (Subtractive & FM)
  • 3 Oscillators + 3 Modulation Oscillators
  • Resonant Low/High Pass Filters
  • Analog Style CV Sequencer
  • Built-in Effects (Delay, Chorus, Reverb, etc.)
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Support
  • iCloud Project Sync
Features
Read full description

VAPolyMk3 is a multi synthesis polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Inspired by the last generation of classic analog synthesizers in the late 1980’s such as Oberheim Matrix series synthesizers, It offers Subtractive Synthesis and modular FM Synthesis. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Oscillator Section features 3 Oscillators and 3 Modulation Oscillators. Each Oscillator has envelope and amplifier. Oscillators can be routed for Subtractive Synthesis and FM Synthesis. Signal from Oscillators are routed to mixer, resonant low pass filter, resonant hight pass filter and amplifier. The synthesizer also features two ADSR envelopes per voice, two LFO and analog style sequencer. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. VAPolyMk3 also includes sequencer which features piano roll editor and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features 3 oscillators and 3 modulation oscillators can be routed for Subtractive Synthesis and FM Synthesis. Analog Style CV Sequencer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and sequencer. Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) and Per Note Control. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Option to turn off anti-aliasing for devices with less CPU power. Include 271 Factory Presets. System Requirements iOS 17.0 or later This app requires a lot of CPU power. Devices with Apple Silicon or equivalent A series chip are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. If sound is distorted when using a device with less CPU power, turn Anti-Aliasing-Option off or reduce number of voices. 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.

Screenshots

VAPolyMk34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tera Synth at $1.99 against VAPolyMk3's $14.99. Tera Synth also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 50%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). VAPolyMk3's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Tera Synth costs $1.99 and VAPolyMk3 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tera Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Tera Synth's written reviews are positive against 50% of VAPolyMk3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tera Synth ships an update every 4 months, VAPolyMk3 every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Tera Synth versus VAPolyMk3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTera SynthVAPolyMk3
Price$1.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.8 (27 ratings) — better4.5 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews86.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings27 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsRyo Togawa

Customer experience

Tera Synth

All ratings27 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive86.4%
Neutral11.4%
Negative2.3%

VAPolyMk3

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Tera Synth

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyMk3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tera Synth free?
Tera Synth costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyMk3 free?
VAPolyMk3 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tera Synth or VAPolyMk3?
Tera Synth is rated higher. Tera Synth averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while VAPolyMk3 averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.
Do Tera Synth or VAPolyMk3 have ads?
Neither Tera Synth nor VAPolyMk3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tera Synth or VAPolyMk3?
Tera Synth ships an update every 4 months, and VAPolyMk3 every 7 months. Most recently, Tera Synth was updated on June 10, 2026 and VAPolyMk3 on September 20, 2026.

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