# ShockWave vs Continua

The clearest difference is price: Continua at $9.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Continua also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 13) and device support (3 vs 1). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and Continua $9.99 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 ShockWave against 4.6 for Continua. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 55% of Continua's.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, Continua every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | Continua |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$9.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) | **[4.6 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/continua/id1487732556/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **55.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Audio Damage, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248448317) |

## 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.


### Continua

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/continua/id1487732556)

This professional synthesizer for iPad offers a unique morphing sound design experience. Explore a vast sonic palette with versatile oscillators and continuously shifting filters. Deep modulation capabilities and an innovative patch evolution system allow for highly expressive and evolving musical textures.

**Highlights:** Morphing filters, Versatile oscillators, Deep modulation routing, Interactive patch evolution, Full MPE support, AUv3 plugin compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is Continua free?

Continua costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Continua is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while Continua averages 4.6 from 13 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or Continua have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor Continua shows ads.

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

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and Continua every 4 weeks. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 1, 2026 and Continua on September 29, 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.*