# Kauldron Synthesizer vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Kauldron Synthesizer at $9.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Kauldron Synthesizer also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 53%). ShockWave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 49 months). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Kauldron Synthesizer costs $9.99 and ShockWave $19.99 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 Kauldron Synthesizer against 4.6 for ShockWave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 136 and 190 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Kauldron Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

Kauldron Synthesizer ships an update every 49 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kauldron Synthesizer | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (136 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kauldron-synthesizer/id1292510609/reviews) | [4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 136 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **79.7% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 49 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 32 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yonac Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/288670023) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Kauldron Synthesizer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kauldron-synthesizer/id1292510609)

This app combines classic analog synth warmth with AI-powered sound design. It offers intelligent preset generation, extensive modulation options, and a powerful arpeggiator for creating rich synth textures.

**Highlights:** AI-powered preset generation (SPAWN²), Analog modeling oscillators, Extensive modulation matrix, Dual XY-pads for control, Powerful arpeggiator, AUv3 plugin support, Over 900 presets

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Warm and rich sound
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💡 Great presets included
- 🚀 Powerful sound engine
- 🌟 High quality emulation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy AUv3 implementation
- 🔊 Shrill noise issue
- 🔇 No Bluetooth speaker support
- ⚠️ Strange behavior/no reset
- 📉 Lacks oomph/personality

**Reported bugs**

- Oscillators cannot be set to -1 octave
- Shrill noise
- No Bluetooth speaker output
- Fails to reload with Logic projects
- Cannot load into Logic Pro

**Requested features**

- Bring synths/effects to macOS
- Mac App version
- More comprehensive FX section (distortion/saturation)
- MIDI-out for arpeggiator
- Drum machine, PAD launcher, DAW


### ShockWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670)

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

**Highlights:** Phase Distortion Synthesis, Dual PD Oscillators, Dual 8-step Sequencers, Dual ASR Envelopes, Tempo-syncable LFOs, Extensive Modulation Matrix, MIDI and MPE Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

**Reported bugs**

- "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
- Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
- Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
- App crashes frequently.
- No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.

**Requested features**

- Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
- Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
- Add a poly mode.
- Improve documentation and tutorials.
- Standardize knob appearance and response.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kauldron Synthesizer free?

Kauldron Synthesizer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Kauldron Synthesizer or ShockWave?

Kauldron Synthesizer and ShockWave are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 136 and 190 ratings respectively.

### Do Kauldron Synthesizer or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Kauldron Synthesizer nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kauldron Synthesizer or ShockWave?

Kauldron Synthesizer ships an update every 49 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Kauldron Synthesizer was updated on September 24, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 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.*