# ShockWave vs TfxMod

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TfxMod at 100% against ShockWave's 54%. TfxMod also leads on price ($4.99 vs $19.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and TfxMod $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

TfxMod holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 100% of TfxMod's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | TfxMod |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) | **[4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tfxmod/id1524639578/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **100.0% 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 | **13.6** |
| 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.


### TfxMod

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tfxmod/id1524639578)

This app provides a chorus and flanger audio effect plugin for mobile devices. It emulates the sound of vintage bucket brigade devices with adjustable parameters for delay, feedback, and modulation. It can be used with host applications to process audio input.

**Highlights:** Chorus and flanger effects, BBD-inspired delay lines, Adjustable delay time, feedback, and modulation, Variable LFO rate and waveform, Low-pass and high-pass filters, Stereo width control

**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 TfxMod free?

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

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

TfxMod is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while TfxMod averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or TfxMod have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor TfxMod shows ads.

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

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