Comparison

FabFilter Pro vs JAX CHROMATIC

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

Head to head
About

FabFilter Pro

This professional audio tool offers a high-quality equalizer for mixing and mastering. It features an intuitive interface with up to 24 bands, multiple phase modes, and advanced tools like Spectrum Grab and EQ Match for precise audio editing.

Highlights
  • Up to 24 EQ bands
  • Natural Phase mode
  • Spectrum Grab
  • EQ Match
  • Interactive EQ display
  • Universal filter slope support
  • Mid/side processing
Read full description

FabFilter Pro-Q 2 is a transparent, high-quality equalizer plug-in for mixing and mastering purposes, with up to 24 bands and a gorgeous interface for easy and precise editing. With its unique Natural Phase mode, it matches both the magnitude and phase response of analog EQ'ing perfectly. Innovative features like Spectrum Grab and EQ Match together with its intelligent interactive EQ display make Pro-Q 2 an absolute joy to use. The Pro-Q 2 app filters the microphone input and plays it back in real-time. To use Pro-Q 2 as a plug-in, you need an AUv3-compatible host app like Auria, AUM or Cubasis. Pro-Q 2 will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins in the host app. Key features: - Highest possible sound quality - Gorgeous Retina interface with large interactive EQ display, multi-band selection and editing for maximum ease of use and efficiency - Up to 24 EQ bands - Operates in zero latency mode, linear phase mode with adjustable latency or the unique Natural Phase mode - Filter shapes: Bell, Notch, High/Low Shelf, High/Low Cut, Band Pass, Tilt Shelf - Universal filter slope support for all filter types, up to 96 dB/oct - Spectrum Grab: just grab and adjust a peak in the real-time spectrum analyzer right away! - EQ Match feature to automatically match the spectrum of another track - Optional Gain-Q interaction - Each band can operate on the stereo signals or on the left or right channels independently for per-channel EQ-ing - Built-in spectrum analyzer with Pre-EQ, Post-EQ and SC modes, adjustable range, speed, resolution, tilt and freeze - Auto Gain and Gain Scale - Mid/side mode where you can EQ the mid and side signals separately - Optional piano roll display to quantize EQ frequencies to musical notes - Different display ranges: 3 dB and 6 dB ranges for mastering, 12 dB and 30 dB for mixing - Intelligent solo mode makes it easy to find problem frequencies and hear the effect of a band - Phase Invert option to change polarity - Large output level meter with peak level readout - Undo/redo and A/B comparison "FabFilter Pro-Q 2 is sure to be the first plug-in we add to almost every channel on every mix we do for the next few years. Absolutely brilliant! Verdict: 10/10!" — MusicTech Magazine "FabFilter Pro-Q 2 is practically impossible to fault, being absolutely stunning in terms of usability, functionality and sound. Verdict: 10/10!" — Computer Music Magazine

About

JAX CHROMATIC

This advanced audio processor splits sound into 32 frequency bands for real-time spectral dynamics modification. It enhances sound perception, removes muddiness, and offers a user-friendly interface for creative mixing and mastering.

Highlights
  • 32-band spectral processing
  • Real-time compander per band
  • Analog filter models
  • Latency-free operation
  • Mastering and mixing tool
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

This is an AudioUnit. AudioUnits (AUv3) require a supporting host application to perform. The main app distributes the embedded unit and allows for testing with random sound samples. The complete manual can be found at: https://midi.digitster.com/CHROMATIC/JAX%20CHROMATIC%20Compander.pdf There is also an introductory video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlEGn_npt4A The JAX Chromatic Compander is an advanced real-time spectral dynamics processor, which splits the audio stream internally into 32 separate, stereophonic, chromatically tuned frequency bands. The parallel bandpass filter bank consists of fast response analog fiter models, producing natural fading sound with no latency. Chromatic means, that each bandpass is adjusted to cover 4 halftones in a musical scale (analog a classic 3rd octave). In difference to a 'Bark' filter, the chromatic bandpass filters are mapped consequently to the musical scale thru the entire frequency range. A bi-directional stereophonic dynamics processor, based on the compander (a combination of an expander and a compressor), is attached to each of the 32 frequency bands and will perform spectral dynamics modification in time with specified attack and release values. The JAX Chromatic Compander can be seen as a unique spectral enhancer, that is able to drastically improve the perception and presence of sound, especially removing all mud. It is mainly recommended to be used as a mastering processor, psycho acoustic loudnes maximizer and creative mixing tool for any kind of wideband audio signals (i.e. complete mixes and all sonically rich audio materials). We use vector processing CPU registers on all supported platforms for keeping the performance as good as possible. There are in sum 64 filters, 64 companders and 64 input- and output mixers performing in parallel thousands of instructions for each single audio sample of the continuous input stream. Usage, on the other side is extremely simple. All parameters are adjusted with ease by just moving fingers over the touchsreen. There is one macro knob for adjusting the compression/expansion amount. We spared out all complicated editing with numerical input and such, making JAX Chromatic Compander a joy to use. Our latest builds are truly 'universal', meaning, the AudioUnit is available on: - MacOS (Catalyst Intel) - MacOS (Silicon M1/M2/M3...) - iOS (iPhone) - iPadOS (iPads) Please note, that the MacOS Catalyst versions may be distributed or sold separately, because the AppStore does not allow to bundle none-silicon apps for the Mac with the iOS apps. Our builds come with latest technology support for all Apple devices. We therefore always develop with currently actual frameworks and compilers.

Screenshots

JAX CHROMATIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: JAX CHROMATIC at $12.99 against FabFilter Pro's $29.99. JAX CHROMATIC also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 86%) and device support (4 vs 1). FabFilter Pro's advantage is ratings volume (24 vs 7). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

FabFilter Pro costs $29.99 and JAX CHROMATIC $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 — 4.8 for FabFilter Pro against 4.9 for JAX CHROMATIC. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 7 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of FabFilter Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of JAX CHROMATIC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FabFilter Pro ships an update every 9 months, JAX CHROMATIC every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FabFilter Pro versus JAX CHROMATIC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFabFilter ProJAX CHROMATIC
Price$29.99$12.99 — better
Rating4.8 (24 ratings)4.9 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 9 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFabFilterJens Guell

Customer experience

FabFilter Pro

All ratings24 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

JAX CHROMATIC

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

FabFilter Pro

No in-app purchases

None

JAX CHROMATIC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FabFilter Pro free?
FabFilter Pro costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JAX CHROMATIC free?
JAX CHROMATIC costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FabFilter Pro or JAX CHROMATIC?
JAX CHROMATIC is rated higher. FabFilter Pro averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while JAX CHROMATIC averages 4.9 from 7 ratings.
Do FabFilter Pro or JAX CHROMATIC have ads?
Neither FabFilter Pro nor JAX CHROMATIC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FabFilter Pro or JAX CHROMATIC?
FabFilter Pro ships an update every 9 months, and JAX CHROMATIC every 14 months. Most recently, FabFilter Pro was updated on November 2, 2026 and JAX CHROMATIC on November 3, 2026.

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