Bark Filter vs SoundState
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- Local music streaming
- Artist discovery
- Social connection with creators
- Community music exploration
- Direct artist engagement
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Bark Filter | SoundState |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (29 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 29 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Patrick Kearney |
Customer experience
Bark Filter
SoundState
In-app purchases
Bark Filter
No in-app purchases
SoundState
No in-app purchases









