Comparison

BandShift vs Agonizer

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

Head to head
About

BandShift

This app offers a unique approach to manipulating sound by splitting audio into 27 bands and applying individual frequency shifts to each. It allows for precise pitch adjustments of complex sound sources in real-time, ideal for altering drum sounds or exploring new sonic territories without introducing unwanted distortions.

Highlights
  • Multi-band Bode frequency shifter
  • 27-band linear phase filter bank
  • AUv3 compatible
  • Inter-app audio compatible
  • Audiobus 2 compatible
  • Apply effect to iTunes library songs
  • MIDI Learn for X/Y Pads
  • Low latency live usage
Read full description

BandShift is a multi-band auditory filter and frequency shifter taking a new approach to manipulate the pitch of complex sound sources in realtime. The well know analog Bode frequency shifter shifts all frequencies in an input up by the same amount and thereby alters their harmonic relation and tends to produce inharmonic results. But it's perfect in dealing with transients and sounds smooth even with high amounts of down pitching. BandShift splits the spectrum in 27 bands and applies a different amount of frequency shifting to each band emulating a harmonic pitch shifting. This gives you perfect pitch shifting for all kind of drum sounds over a vast shifting range of +/- five octaves without disturbing the transients or introducing metallic distortions. The extreme range of shifting gives you access to a vast field of unknown sonic territory. The possibility to apply different shiftings on each band gives you exciting possibilities: Suppose you have a drum loop which is perfect, but the bass drum is a bit too high or too low to fit in your mix then you can easily get the bass drum shifted a bit down and the rest of the spectrum remains unchanged. But it’s applications are not limited to drum sounds, they’re only limited by your imagination. Features: • Multi band bode frequency shifter • Linear phase filter bank with 27 bands • AudioUnit for AUv3 compatible hosts. • Inter-app audio compatible effect. • Audiobus 2 compatible with state saving. • Apply effect to any song in your iTunes library. • MIDI Learn for X/Y Pads • Low latency live usage with mic and headphones. • Audio recorder

About

Agonizer

This app is a monophonic synthesizer focused on bass sounds, developed with a synth bass expert. It features dual wavetable oscillators, a mangle section, and built-in stereo effects. It supports MPE controllers and various audio/MIDI connectivity options for standalone or app-to-app use.

Highlights
  • Monophonic synth engine for bass
  • Dual wavetable oscillators
  • Built-in stereo effects
  • MPE controller support
  • Standalone and AUv3 operation
  • 140+ factory presets
Features
Read full description

Agonizer is a monophonic synthesizer designed in collaboration with YouTuber and synth bass expert Jakob Haq of haQ attaQ Overview: * Monophonic Synth Engine with focus on Bass * Built-in stereo effects * 140+ fine tuned factory presets designed by Jakob Haq * Supports ROLI Seaboard and other MPE controllers out of the box * Standalone operation with support for USB audio interfaces, wired, network & bluetooth MIDI * Audio Unit v3 Extension * Inter App Audio support * Audiobus support * Ableton Link Synth Voice: * Dual Wavetable Oscillators with 40+ Wavetables, Morphing & X-Mod * Dedicated sub osc & noise source * Mangle Section with pre-filter Drive, Bitcrush, Lift and Push controls * VA Ladder filter * Wobulator (Highly tweak-able Sequenced LFO) * LFO with Key and BPM Sync * Variable Slope AD & ADSR Envelopes * Tube based master drive Effects: * 2x stereo effect units * Vintage Chorus * Digital Delay Presets: * Factory bank including 140+ presets designed by Jakob Haq * Preset Management with Templates & Categories * Shared User Presets between Standalone and AUv3 versions * Preset Export & Import Connectivity: * Standalone * AUv3 Instrument * Inter-App Audio Instrument * Audiobus Instrument Requirements: * iOS12+ * iPad Air 2 or newer

Screenshots

BandShift4 screens
Agonizer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BandShift at $3.99 against Agonizer's $19.99. BandShift also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Agonizer's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). On ads and device support 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

BandShift costs $3.99 and Agonizer $19.99 up front. Agonizer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. BandShift asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Agonizer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Agonizer has 203 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of BandShift's written reviews are positive against 78% of Agonizer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BandShift ships an update every 2 months, Agonizer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
BandShift versus Agonizer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBandShiftAgonizer
Price$3.99 — better$19.99
Rating3.5 (4 ratings)4.8 (203 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4203 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB362 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsKai Aras

Customer experience

BandShift

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Agonizer

All ratings203 ratings
Positive95.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews81 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral6.2%
Negative16.0%

Bugs and requests

BandShift

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Agonizer

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Keyboard does not properly handle legato/mono-synth note priority
  • Crashes in Audiobus, AUM, and Cubasis host applications
  • No sound output when used as AUv3 plugin in hosts
  • No sound in GarageBand integration
  • App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
Show 11 more
  • Stuck notes and failed note triggering
  • Scream button malfunction when switching presets
  • Cutoff knob lag in AUv3 scenarios
  • UI jitter and text cutoff on iPhone
  • Favorite preset feature not working on iPhone
  • Program change not working properly in hosts
  • Always opens with init preset in host applications
  • Modulation matrix sensitivity too high (2% movement = large range)
  • Audio output peaks in red with no sound
  • Permanent clipping/damaged audio output
  • Misleading IAP pricing display (showing 'FREE' for paid content)

Requested features

10 requests
  • Polyphony mode or toggle between mono and poly
  • Envelope drawing capability instead of preset selection
  • Menu-based waveform selection instead of cycling
  • Arpeggiator function
  • Preset browser search and favorites filter
Show 5 more
  • Extended automation control for all knobs
  • Keytracking for filter
  • Reverb effect
  • Accelerometer/gyroscopic velocity sensitivity
  • Customizable number of keyboard keys

In-app purchases

None

BandShift

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Agonizer

One-time3
  • Chrome Oasis Pack$3.99
  • Circuit Bender Pack$3.99
  • Neon Nightmare Pack$4.99

Questions

Is BandShift free?
BandShift costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Agonizer free?
Agonizer costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BandShift or Agonizer?
Agonizer is rated higher. BandShift averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Agonizer averages 4.8 from 203 ratings.
Do BandShift or Agonizer have ads?
Neither BandShift nor Agonizer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BandShift or Agonizer?
BandShift ships an update every 2 months, and Agonizer every 5 months. Most recently, BandShift was updated on September 27, 2026 and Agonizer on October 1, 2026.

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