# ShockWave vs Crystals Harmonizer®

ShockWave and Crystals Harmonizer® both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 92% of Crystals Harmonizer®'s written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's. Crystals Harmonizer® also leads on price ($14.99 vs $19.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 20). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and Crystals Harmonizer® $14.99 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 Crystals Harmonizer®. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 20, 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 92% of Crystals Harmonizer®'s.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, Crystals Harmonizer® every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | Crystals Harmonizer® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$14.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) | [4.6 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystals-harmonizer/id1504257443/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 20 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **92.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 15 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.


### Crystals Harmonizer®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystals-harmonizer/id1504257443)

This app offers advanced pitch shifting, delay, and reverb effects inspired by a classic hardware unit. Create expansive, modulated soundscapes for instruments and vocals, with real-time control over parameters.

**Highlights:** Twin reverse pitch shifters, Reverse granular delays, Real-time RIBBON control, Octave up FLEX button, Long decay reverb, Musical micro-pitching, Standalone and AUv3 plugin

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is Crystals Harmonizer® free?

Crystals Harmonizer® costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ShockWave or Crystals Harmonizer®?

ShockWave and Crystals Harmonizer® are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 188 and 20 ratings respectively.

### Do ShockWave or Crystals Harmonizer® have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor Crystals Harmonizer® shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShockWave or Crystals Harmonizer®?

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and Crystals Harmonizer® every 3 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 6, 2026 and Crystals Harmonizer® 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.*