# ShockWave vs VADrum2

ShockWave and VADrum2 both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 86% of VADrum2's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's. VADrum2 also leads on price ($14.99 vs $19.99). ShockWave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (190 vs 16). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and VADrum2 $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 4.5 for VADrum2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 86% of VADrum2's.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, VADrum2 every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | VADrum2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$14.99** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** | [4.5 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vadrum2/id1561097284/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **190** | 16 |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.5** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| 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.


### VADrum2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vadrum2/id1561097284)

Create electronic music with a virtual analog drum machine. Features a synthesizer with 27 voices, built-in effects, and a powerful sequencer. Save projects to iCloud and use it as a standalone app or an Audio Unit Extension.

**Highlights:** 27 virtual analog and sample playback drum voices, Integrated delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, EQ, and compressor, 16-bar pattern sequencer with parameter automation, Stand-alone app and AUv3 extension support, Ableton Link and Bluetooth MIDI compatibility, iCloud Drive project saving, Universal Purchase for iOS and macOS

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is VADrum2 free?

VADrum2 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ShockWave or VADrum2?

ShockWave is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while VADrum2 averages 4.5 from 16 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or VADrum2 have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor VADrum2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShockWave or VADrum2?

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and VADrum2 every 5 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on September 21, 2026 and VADrum2 on September 20, 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.*