Comparison

Bark Filter vs SoundState

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

Head to head
About

Bark Filter

This audio effect processor mimics the human ear's critical band filtering and compression. It offers a multi-band compressor with up to 27 bands for precise audio manipulation and analysis.

Highlights
  • Multi-band dynamic range compressor (up to 27 bands)
  • Variable number of compressor bands
  • Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Makeup Gain controls
  • Linear phase precision filters
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
  • AudioUnit (AUv3), Inter-app audio, and Audiobus 3 compatible
  • Low latency live usage
Features
Read full description

Bark Filter - Critical Band Analyser/Filter/Compressor The multi band filter in Bark takes the approach to match the reception characteristic of the gate where all sounds must pass through: the human ear. The ear behaves as if it contains a bank of filters, each filter passing frequencies within their respective critical band. Two tones apart more than the frequency dependant critical bandwidth are perceived as separate tones. For this reason Bark contains a filter bank with 27 very steep bandpass filters matching the critical bandwidth characteristic of the human ear. In fact, the human ear have also its own built in multi band compression system which are based on the critical bands. Why the name Bark ? The Bark scale is a frequency scale on which equal distances correspond with perceptually equal distances. Above about 500 Hz this scale is more or less equal to a logarithmic frequency axis. Below 500 Hz the Bark scale becomes more and more linear. Multiband compressors can act differently on different frequency bands. The advantage of multiband compression over full-bandwidth compression is that unneeded audible gain changes or "pumping" in other frequency bands is not caused by changing signal levels in a single frequency band. Bark can act both as single band compressor and with up to 27 bands in multiband mode by linking critical bands. The linear phase filter bank with its steep filter slopes can be used for unusually pronounced filter effects too... Features: • Multi band dynamic range compressor with up to 27 bands • Variable number of compressor bands (1..27) • Threshold/Ratio Attack/Release and Makeup Gain • Linear phase precision filters for maximal transparency • Real time pre/post processing calibrated spectrum analyser • AudioUnit for AUv3 compatible hosts. • Inter-app audio compatible effect. • Audiobus 3 compatible with state saving. • Low latency live usage with mic and headphones. • Audio recorder

About

SoundState

Discover local music and connect with emerging artists. This streaming app allows you to explore sounds from your community and engage directly with the creators behind them.

Highlights
  • Local music streaming
  • Artist discovery
  • Social connection with creators
  • Community music exploration
  • Direct artist engagement
Features
Read full description

SoundState is a music streaming app with a social twist. Discover the music being made in your own backyard and connect with the artists creating it!

Screenshots

Bark Filter3 screens
SoundState4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SoundState at Free against Bark Filter's $3.99. SoundState also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Bark Filter's advantage is ratings volume (29 vs 3) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On ads, in-app purchases 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

SoundState is free to download; Bark Filter costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SoundState holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bark Filter has 29 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, SoundState every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Bark Filter versus SoundState: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBark FilterSoundState
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (29 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB29 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperHarry GohsPatrick Kearney

Customer experience

Bark Filter

All ratings29 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative16.7%

SoundState

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bark Filter

No in-app purchases

None

SoundState

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bark Filter free?
Bark Filter costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SoundState free?
SoundState is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bark Filter or SoundState?
SoundState is rated higher. Bark Filter averages 4.8 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while SoundState averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Bark Filter or SoundState have ads?
Neither Bark Filter nor SoundState shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bark Filter or SoundState?
Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, and SoundState every 5 weeks. Most recently, Bark Filter was updated on October 11, 2026 and SoundState on October 9, 2026.

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