# Poseidon Synth vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Poseidon Synth at $7.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Poseidon Synth also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Poseidon Synth costs $7.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ShockWave holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 33, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Poseidon Synth's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 4, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Poseidon Synth | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$7.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poseidon-synth/id1045058006/reviews) | **[4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 33 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **58.8% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 328 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Harry Gohs](https://appshunter.io/developer/382428644) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Poseidon Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poseidon-synth/id1045058006)

Explore vast sonic landscapes with this advanced synthesizer. It combines analog synthesis with spectral modeling for unique sound design, offering powerful filters, spatialization, and a vast library of presets and sound models.

**Highlights:** Spectral model oscillator, F-Domain Filter with variable slope, Spatializer for stereo movement, Extensive sound browser, Arpeggiator with programmable sequences, Built-in effects suite

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShockWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670)

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

**Highlights:** Phase Distortion Synthesis, Dual PD Oscillators, Dual 8-step Sequencers, Dual ASR Envelopes, Tempo-syncable LFOs, Extensive Modulation Matrix, MIDI and MPE Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

**Reported bugs**

- "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
- Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
- Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
- App crashes frequently.
- No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.

**Requested features**

- Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
- Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
- Add a poly mode.
- Improve documentation and tutorials.
- Standardize knob appearance and response.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Poseidon Synth free?

Poseidon Synth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Poseidon Synth or ShockWave?

ShockWave is rated higher. Poseidon Synth averages 4.0 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.

### Do Poseidon Synth or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Poseidon Synth nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Poseidon Synth or ShockWave?

Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Poseidon Synth was updated on August 4, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 2026.

---

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