Comparison

WaveFolder vs ab vortEx X

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

Head to head
About

WaveFolder

This audio effect app adds harmonics to sound by folding waveforms. It's ideal for enhancing synth leads, transforming drum loops, and creating ambient drones. Customize folding thresholds and modulation for unique sound design.

Highlights
  • Wave folding distortion
  • Harmonic addition
  • Adjustable folding thresholds
  • Modulation of folding amount and symmetry
  • Tempo-based or free-running modulators
  • Built-in wave shaper
  • Color themes
Features
Read full description

WaveFolder is a simple Wave Folding Audio Unit Extension. Wave Folding is an interesting distortion effect that adds harmonics to the original signal by folding the waveform back on itself when it exceeds a clipping threshold. WaveFolder is great for adding spice to monophonic synth leads and rhythmic, tempo based modulations can turn drum loops into totally new entities, while long, slow, free running modulations are perfect for dirty ambient drones. WaveFolder lets you set the folding thresholds and modulate the folding amount and symmetry with tempo based or free running modulators. WaveFolder also includes a wave shaper to add even more interest. There is also a short built-in manual and a selection of colour themes.

About

ab vortEx X

This app is a stereo-only abstract spacetime designer for creating unique reverberations. It functions as an AUv3 plugin for compatible iOS hosts or as a standalone application, offering control over sound reflection spread.

Highlights
  • Stereo-only spatial audio algorithms
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
  • Standalone application mode
  • Touch screen interface
  • Control over sound reflection spread
  • Space, Time, Viscosity, Volumes controls
Features
Read full description

'ab vortEx X' for iOS is a 'Light', stereo-only version of 'ab vortEx', an abstract spacetime designer for creating infinite variations of reverberations using our Spatial Audio algorithms under the hood. 'ab vortEx' for iOS comes as an AUv3 Plugin and is compatible with any iOS host that supports AUv3 (e.g. Garageband). The plugin contains a minimalist interface, compatible with Touch Screens - as you move through the screen, you can control how the algorithm works and how the reflections of the sound spread through time and space. 'ab Vortex X' also works as a stand-alone application (make sure you wear headphones or use a soundcard). 'ab vortEx X' supports Stereo signals and contains the most critical controls of 'ab Vortex' (Space, Time, Viscosity and Volumes) for providing quick ways to manipulate your sound.ab vortEx' for iOS works with Mono and Stereo signals.

Screenshots

WaveFolder4 screens
ab vortEx X3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: WaveFolder at $4.99 against ab vortEx X's $12.99. ab vortEx X's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 75%) and iOS requirement (11 vs 15.6). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

WaveFolder costs $4.99 and ab vortEx X $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for WaveFolder against 4.6 for ab vortEx X. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 8 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of WaveFolder's written reviews are positive against 88% of ab vortEx X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WaveFolder ships an update every 3 months, ab vortEx X every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
WaveFolder versus ab vortEx X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaveFolderab vortEx X
Price$4.99 — better$12.99
Rating4.6 (9 ratings)4.6 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.611 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLiving Memory SoftwareAlejandro Cabrera Zuniga

Customer experience

WaveFolder

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

ab vortEx X

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

WaveFolder

No in-app purchases

None

ab vortEx X

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WaveFolder free?
WaveFolder costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ab vortEx X free?
ab vortEx X costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WaveFolder or ab vortEx X?
WaveFolder and ab vortEx X are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 9 and 8 ratings respectively.
Do WaveFolder or ab vortEx X have ads?
Neither WaveFolder nor ab vortEx X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WaveFolder or ab vortEx X?
WaveFolder ships an update every 3 months, and ab vortEx X every 2 months. Most recently, WaveFolder was updated on September 29, 2026 and ab vortEx X on September 24, 2026.

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