# ShockWave vs WoodSynth

The clearest difference is rating: ShockWave at 4.6 against WoodSynth's 4.0. ShockWave also leads on ratings volume (190 vs 27). WoodSynth's advantage is price ($15.99 vs $19.99). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and WoodSynth $15.99 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 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 60% of WoodSynth's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, WoodSynth every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | WoodSynth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$15.99** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** | [4.0 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/woodsynth/id1538126998/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **190** | 27 |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 203 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Woodman's Immaculate Maple Syrup Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1066413972) |

## 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.


### WoodSynth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/woodsynth/id1538126998)

This powerful synthesizer app offers four independent layers, each with its own sound engine, filters, and envelopes. Create complex sounds using VCOs, samples, or wavetables, and control them with a polyphonic touch bar and MPE support. It functions as a standalone app or a plugin within a DAW.

**Highlights:** Four independent synthesizer layers, VCOs, samples, and wavetable sources, Polyphonic touch bar with pitch bending, MPE and MIDI V2 support, AUv3 plugin and standalone app, 16-step sequencers per layer, Advanced modulation options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is WoodSynth free?

WoodSynth costs $15.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

ShockWave is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while WoodSynth averages 4.0 from 27 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or WoodSynth have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor WoodSynth shows ads.

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

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and WoodSynth every 5 weeks. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on September 21, 2026 and WoodSynth on September 17, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*