Comparison

DC vs ChowKick

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

Head to head
About

DC

This audio effect plug-in emulates a classic overdrive guitar pedal using advanced circuit modeling. It provides an authentic analog sound and integrates seamlessly with iOS Digital Audio Workstations.

Highlights
  • Circuit-modeled overdrive emulation
  • Authentic analog sound
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Expands controls when touched
  • Compatible with popular iOS DAWs
  • Desktop quality algorithm
Read full description

DC-9 Overdrive is a circuit modeled overdrive plug-in that emulates the famous Ibanez® TS9 Tube Screamer. The DSP algorithms in DC-9 take into account the entire schematic, using the latest modeling techniques. This gives you an authentic analog sound that matches the character of the physical circuit. DC-9 is an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) that works inside host apps. Just open up your favorite host that supports Audio Units and add it as an effect. The controls expand when touched so they can be easily seen while tweaking. DC-9 brings the distinctive warm overdrive crunch to your favorite iOS DAW. Compatible with GarageBand, Cubasis, Auria, BeatMaker, AudioBus, AUM, Modstep, and more. DC-9 gets its name from the Diode Clipper circuit used to create the distortion. Accurate modeling of the clipper by circuit simulation gives DC-9 an edge over the common distortion plug- in. The effect was carefully tuned using A/B comparisons to the original stop box. Blamsoft brings their experience creating top notch plug-ins for the desktop to iOS. The same algorithm is found in the popular Rack Extension for Propellerhead Reason. You get a desktop quality algorithm at an iOS friendly price. Tap Developer Website for sound examples. Note: Second screenshot shows the effect of touching a control.

About

ChowKick

Create unique kick drum sounds with a powerful synthesizer. This app uses physical modeling to emulate classic drum machine circuits, offering detailed control over tone and frequency. It functions as a plugin for music production apps or as a standalone tool.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling synthesis
  • Adjustable tone and frequency
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Standalone application
  • Emulates old drum machine circuits
Features
Read full description

ChowKick is a kick drum synthesizer based on creative physical modelling of old drum machine circuits. The synth contains useful parameters for adjusting the tone and fundamental frequency of the synthesized kick drum. - Source code: https://github.com/Chowdhury-DSP/ChowKick - User manual: https://chowdsp.com/manuals/ChowKickManual.pdf ChowKick installs as an AUv3 plugin that can be used in host applications like Garageband or AUM, or as a standalone application.

Screenshots

DC2 screens
ChowKick1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ChowKick at Free against DC's $2.99. ChowKick also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). DC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads 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

ChowKick is free to download; DC costs $2.99 up front. ChowKick sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. DC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ChowKick holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of DC's written reviews are positive against 100% of ChowKick's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DC ships an update every 6 months, ChowKick every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DC versus ChowKick: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDCChowKick
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (14 ratings)5.0 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1425 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlamsoft, Inc.Jatin Chowdhury

Customer experience

DC

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

ChowKick

All ratings24 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DC

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

ChowKick

One-time4
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Huge Tip$24.99

Questions

Is DC free?
DC costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ChowKick free?
ChowKick is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DC or ChowKick?
ChowKick is rated higher. DC averages 4.2 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while ChowKick averages 5.0 from 25 ratings.
Do DC or ChowKick have ads?
Neither DC nor ChowKick shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DC or ChowKick?
DC ships an update every 6 months, and ChowKick every 4 months. Most recently, DC was updated on November 2, 2026 and ChowKick on November 3, 2026.

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