# ShockWave vs TB Lowtone

The clearest difference is price: TB Lowtone at $9.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. TB Lowtone also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 14). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and TB Lowtone $9.99 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 85% of TB Lowtone'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, TB Lowtone every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | TB Lowtone |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$9.99** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** | [4.4 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-lowtone/id6448315127/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **84.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 13 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 Lowtone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-lowtone/id6448315127)

This app is an innovative bass synthesizer and AUv3 plugin that uses loudness-domain harmonic synthesis for deeper, more consistent bass sounds. It features multiple oscillators, modulation options, and built-in effects, plus an AI randomizer for creating new patches.

**Highlights:** Loudness-domain harmonic synthesis, 3 analog-simulated oscillators, Voltage-controlled noise synthesizer, AI randomizer for patch generation, Extended LFOs and ADSR envelope, Pro quality effects (reverb, chorus, delay), AUv3 plugin support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Is TB Lowtone free?

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

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

ShockWave is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while TB Lowtone averages 4.4 from 14 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or TB Lowtone have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor TB Lowtone shows ads.

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

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and TB Lowtone every 3 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 14, 2026 and TB Lowtone on October 12, 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.*