# Ripplemaker vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Ripplemaker at $8.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Ripplemaker also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 54%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Ripplemaker costs $8.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Ripplemaker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 95 and 188 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Ripplemaker's written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's.

Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ripplemaker | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$8.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ripplemaker/id1207806723/reviews)** | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 95 | **188** |
| Positive reviews | **90.7% of reviews** | 54.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 5 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bram Bos](https://appshunter.io/developer/325340444) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Ripplemaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ripplemaker/id1207806723)

Explore sound with a West Coast-style modular synthesizer. This app offers a versatile playground for creating evolving drones and morphing basslines, with or without patching cables. It also includes a standalone sequencer with advanced pattern generation and mutation features.

**Highlights:** West Coast-style modular synthesis, Prewired monosynth functionality, Virtual patch cables for experimentation, Standalone sequencer with random pattern generation, Realtime probability-based mutation engine, AUv3 plugin support, Ableton Link and MIDI Clock Sync

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**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 Ripplemaker free?

Ripplemaker costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Ripplemaker or ShockWave?

Ripplemaker is rated higher. Ripplemaker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 95 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 188 ratings.

### Do Ripplemaker or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Ripplemaker nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ripplemaker or ShockWave?

Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Ripplemaker was updated on October 8, 2026 and ShockWave on October 6, 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.*