# WaveFolder vs Surface Builder

The clearest difference is price: WaveFolder at $4.99 against Surface Builder's $14.99. Surface Builder's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13 vs 15.6). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

WaveFolder costs $4.99 and Surface Builder $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for WaveFolder against 4.7 for Surface Builder. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 15 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of WaveFolder's written reviews are positive against 80% of Surface Builder's.

WaveFolder ships an update every 3 months, Surface Builder every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WaveFolder | Surface Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wavefolder-audio-unit/id1289484131/reviews) | **[4.7 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 4 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Living Memory Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1038887268) | [4Pockets.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/370131860) |

## What reviewers say

### WaveFolder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wavefolder-audio-unit/id1289484131)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Surface Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778)

Create custom MIDI control surfaces for audio applications. Design interfaces with buttons, knobs, and faders to send and receive MIDI data, control audio clips, and customize appearance. Supports AUv3 plugins and standalone use.

**Highlights:** Customizable MIDI control surfaces, AUv3 plugin and standalone modes, Send/receive MIDI data (notes, controllers, pitch bend), Audio clip playback control, Multi-scene interface design, Drag and drop interface customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WaveFolder free?

WaveFolder costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Surface Builder free?

Surface Builder costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, WaveFolder or Surface Builder?

Surface Builder is rated higher. WaveFolder averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Surface Builder averages 4.7 from 15 ratings.

### Do WaveFolder or Surface Builder have ads?

Neither WaveFolder nor Surface Builder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WaveFolder or Surface Builder?

WaveFolder ships an update every 3 months, and Surface Builder every 3 weeks. Most recently, WaveFolder was updated on September 29, 2026 and Surface Builder on September 22, 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.*