# ShockWave vs TfxEcho

The clearest difference is price: TfxEcho at $4.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. TfxEcho also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (13.5 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 12) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and TfxEcho $4.99 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 4.7 for TfxEcho. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 12, 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 80% of TfxEcho's.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, TfxEcho every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | TfxEcho |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) | **[4.7 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tfxecho/id1523777426/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.5** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Ryo Togawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1474193056) |

## 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.


### TfxEcho

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tfxecho/id1523777426)

This audio plugin offers a warm, dark echo effect inspired by analog delay units. It allows for adjustable delay times, feedback, and filters, with modulation capabilities and tempo syncing. The plugin captures high-frequency signals for a versatile sound.

**Highlights:** Echo and delay effect, BBD-inspired delay lines, Adjustable delay time (20-1200 ms), Feedback control (0-100%), Low-pass and high-pass filters, Modulation rate and width, Tempo sync

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is TfxEcho free?

TfxEcho costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

TfxEcho is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while TfxEcho averages 4.7 from 12 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or TfxEcho have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor TfxEcho shows ads.

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

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and TfxEcho every 3 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 6, 2026 and TfxEcho on October 7, 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.*