# ShockWave vs TB Flowtones

The clearest difference is price: TB Flowtones at $9.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. TB Flowtones also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 39). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and TB Flowtones $9.99 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 TB Flowtones. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 188 and 39 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 83% of TB Flowtones's.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, TB Flowtones every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | TB Flowtones |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$9.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) | **[4.7 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-flowtones/id1576472437/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 39 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **82.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [ToneBoosters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472446500) |

## 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.


### TB Flowtones

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-flowtones/id1576472437)

This virtual analog synthesizer app offers a true VA synthesis engine with analog-modeled filters and extensive modulation options. Create warm, analog-sounding music with a powerful architecture, diverse waveforms, and pro-grade effects. It also includes an integrated step sequencer and hundreds of presets.

**Highlights:** True virtual analog synthesis engine, Analog-modelled non-linear filters, Extensive modulation options, Pro-grade studio effects, Integrated step sequencer, Hundreds of presets and intelligent randomizer

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is TB Flowtones free?

TB Flowtones costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ShockWave or TB Flowtones?

TB Flowtones is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while TB Flowtones averages 4.7 from 39 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or TB Flowtones have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor TB Flowtones shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShockWave or TB Flowtones?

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and TB Flowtones every 3 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 6, 2026 and TB Flowtones on October 8, 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.*