# SquareSynth 2 vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: SquareSynth 2 at $9.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. SquareSynth 2 also leads on review sentiment (63% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (188 vs 37). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

SquareSynth 2 costs $9.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ShockWave holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of SquareSynth 2's written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SquareSynth 2 ships an update monthly, ShockWave every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SquareSynth 2 | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.1 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squaresynth-2-chiptune-synth/id1439660868/reviews) | **[4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 37 | **188** |
| Positive reviews | **62.5% of reviews** | 54.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 10 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [James Navarro](https://appshunter.io/developer/514153445) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### SquareSynth 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squaresynth-2-chiptune-synth/id1439660868)

Create 8-bit style music with this professional chiptune synthesizer. It offers versatile sound design inspired by classic consoles and integrates with modern music production tools.

**Highlights:** 8-bit style synthesizer, NES and Commodore 64 inspired, Audio Unit (AUv3) support, Audiobus support, 8 multitimbral channels, Looping sound recorder with .wav sharing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 SquareSynth 2 free?

SquareSynth 2 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SquareSynth 2 or ShockWave?

ShockWave is rated higher. SquareSynth 2 averages 4.1 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 188 ratings.

### Do SquareSynth 2 or ShockWave have ads?

Neither SquareSynth 2 nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SquareSynth 2 or ShockWave?

SquareSynth 2 ships an update monthly, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, SquareSynth 2 was updated on October 14, 2026 and ShockWave on October 14, 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.*