# ShockWave vs Undulator

The clearest difference is price: Undulator at $7.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Undulator also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 53%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (190 vs 11). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and Undulator $7.99 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 86% of Undulator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | Undulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$7.99** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** | [4.3 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/undulator/id1463822021/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **190** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Eventide](https://appshunter.io/developer/546518026) |

## What reviewers say

### 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.


### Undulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/undulator/id1463822021)

This app offers a classic modulated tremolo effect inspired by a renowned hardware processor. It allows musicians to add rhythmic movement, ethereal feedback, and detuned echoes to various instruments and samples, creating evolving soundscapes and dynamic textures.

**Highlights:** Modulated tremolo effect, Ethereal feedback and detuned echoes, AM/FM modulation, Tempo sync, Real-time ribbon control, Multiple modulation waveforms

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is Undulator free?

Undulator costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ShockWave or Undulator?

ShockWave is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while Undulator averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or Undulator have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor Undulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShockWave or Undulator?

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and Undulator every 2 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on September 21, 2026 and Undulator 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.*