# Future Drummer vs ShockWave

Future Drummer and ShockWave both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 96% of Future Drummer's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's. Future Drummer also leads on price ($17.99 vs $19.99). ShockWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Future Drummer costs $17.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Future Drummer sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. ShockWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Future Drummer against 4.6 for ShockWave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 381 and 190 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Future Drummer's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

Future Drummer ships an update every 4 weeks, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Future Drummer | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$17.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (381 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/future-drummer/id1206804871/reviews)** | [4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **381** | 190 |
| Positive reviews | **95.9% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 178 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lumbeat](https://appshunter.io/developer/590278231) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Future Drummer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/future-drummer/id1206804871)

Create electrifying electronic music with a futuristic drum machine. Craft unique beats and rhythms using a vast library of sounds and an advanced jamming algorithm. Export your creations as audio or MIDI, and perform live with intuitive controls.

**Highlights:** Cutting-edge drum and futuristic percussion sounds, Improved jamming algorithm for electronic music, Audio & MIDI Export (Multi-Track or Full Mix), Live mode with real-time effects and controls, Editable sounds and intuitive tools, Song Mode for fast rhythmic structure creation, Integrated effects (Compressor, Delay, Reverb, EQ)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hip Hop Sets | $3.99 | one-time |
| Hybrid Sounds | $3.99 | one-time |
| Experimental Tones | $3.99 | one-time |
| Minimal Vibes | $3.99 | one-time |


### 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 Future Drummer free?

Future Drummer costs $17.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Future Drummer or ShockWave?

Future Drummer is rated higher. Future Drummer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 381 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.

### Do Future Drummer or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Future Drummer nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Future Drummer or ShockWave?

Future Drummer ships an update every 4 weeks, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Future Drummer was updated on September 23, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 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.*