Comparison

VividShaper vs FAC Smash

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

VividShaper

This AUv3 plugin synthesizer allows real-time wave design using Lua programming. Create complex sounds with multiple generators and oscillators, and share patches across devices via iCloud.

Highlights
  • Real-time wave programming with Lua
  • Customizable waveforms
  • 16-voice polyphony
  • 8 oscillators per generator
  • iCloud patch sharing
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
Features
Read full description

*** This is an AUv3 extension and not a standalone app. *** *** It requires a host app like Garageband or similar. *** VividShaper is a cutting-edge AUv3 plugin synthesizer akin to a wave table synth that gives you the power to design your own waves in real-time. Its unique interface allows you to program your own waves with the built-in Lua programming language, offering a level of customization and control unparalleled in the world of digital music production. With VividShaper, you can dynamically change your waveforms over time, bringing a whole new level of creative possibilities to your music. Use up to 16 generators for polyphony, and 8 oscillators per generator, to create rich, intricate sounds. Each oscillator wave can be manipulated in Lua code in real time, giving you full control over your sound design. The plugin supports iCloud, so you can share your patches between both iOS and macOS devices.

About

FAC Smash

This app offers powerful sound shaping with extreme compression and unique features to refine audio. It provides multi-band processing, a creative noise gate, and parallel compression with a visual waveform display for effortless adjustments.

Highlights
  • Extreme compression with analog nuances
  • Unique 'flatten' feature for dynamics
  • Multi-band processing with steep filter slopes
  • Creative noise gate
  • Parallel compression and brickwall limiter
  • Waveform display
  • Portrait and landscape views
Features
Read full description

• Loud, Aggressive, and Powerful Sound Shaping • Extreme compression, capturing vintage analog nuances and colors • Unique 'flatten' feature to preserve character while restoring dynamics • Fast sound refining with impact and sustain controls • Single or multi-band, with filter slopes ranging from 6dB to an impressive 192dB • Creative noise gate: smoothly blend from single to multi-band • Parallel compression and optional master Brickwall limiter • Intuitive workflow for effortless adjustments • Low latency, waveform display of the pre and post signal • Advanced Responsive Design, portrait and landscape views | Light/Dark Theme • Universal Purchase: AUv3 for iOS (iPad/iPhone), macOS and Vision Pro FAC Smash is all about generating explosive energy for your beats and instruments! Squash, squeeze... SMASH your sound, or simply get that magical gentle touch when you seek refinement and finesse. Behind its unconventional and flashy appearance lies a series of boosted upward compressors meticulously designed to include the specific nuances and colors of vintage analog devices. The plugin can operate on either one or three frequency bands and provides a couple of filter slopes ranging from a subtle and transparent 6dB to an impressive 192dB! The workflow is optimized for simplicity and intuitiveness, enabling effortless transitions between subtle adjustments and complete alterations with its up to 120dB of upwards compression. Yes!, FAC Smash can push the sound to its extreme limits, potentially creating a "sausage-like" signal. But fear not — the 'flatten' feature steps in to restore dynamics while preserving the aggressive character, giving you the best of both worlds. The built-in noise gate circuit at the input adds yet another layer of sonic sculpting possibilities. Whether acting on the entire signal or individual frequency bands, this circuit can transform your sound, expanding your creative possibilities. But the magic doesn't stop there; FAC Smash offers parallel compression, an optional master Brickwall limiter, and a waveform view of both the pre and post signal! You'll have a clear visual representation of your audio as you sculpt it to perfection. The documentation is available at fredantoncorvest.com/FAC_Smash.html

Screenshots

VividShaper1 screens
FAC Smash3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VividShaper at 5.0 against FAC Smash's 4.3. VividShaper also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and price ($5.99 vs $6.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

VividShaper costs $5.99 and FAC Smash $6.99 up front. FAC Smash sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. VividShaper asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VividShaper holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of VividShaper's written reviews are positive against 80% of FAC Smash's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VividShaper ships an update every 4 months, FAC Smash every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
VividShaper versus FAC Smash: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVividShaperFAC Smash
Price$5.99 — better$6.99
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLars ForsbergFrederic Corvest

Customer experience

VividShaper

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

FAC Smash

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

VividShaper

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

FAC Smash

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$14.99

Questions

Is VividShaper free?
VividShaper costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is FAC Smash free?
FAC Smash costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VividShaper or FAC Smash?
VividShaper is rated higher. VividShaper averages 5.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while FAC Smash averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do VividShaper or FAC Smash have ads?
Neither VividShaper nor FAC Smash shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VividShaper or FAC Smash?
VividShaper ships an update every 4 months, and FAC Smash every 7 months. Most recently, VividShaper was updated on October 24, 2026 and FAC Smash on October 30, 2026.

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