# Equalizer vs ChannelStrip

The clearest difference is rating: ChannelStrip at 5.0 against Equalizer's 3.3. ChannelStrip also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). Equalizer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 66 months) and review sentiment (61% vs 39%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Equalizer costs $3.99 and ChannelStrip $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ChannelStrip holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Equalizer has 138 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Equalizer's written reviews are positive against 39% of ChannelStrip's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Equalizer ships an update every 2 months, ChannelStrip every 66 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Equalizer | ChannelStrip |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Rating | [3.3 (138 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/equalizer/id321267949/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/channelstrip/id1460842455/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **138** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **61.2% of reviews** | 38.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 66 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 6 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Audioforge Labs Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/305996692) | [Audio Damage, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248448317) |

## What reviewers say

### Equalizer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/equalizer/id321267949)

This music player offers a powerful and accurate parametric equalizer with advanced playlist controls. Customize your audio experience with seven adjustable control points, separate left/right ear adjustments, and a spectrum analyzer. Share and import EQ presets for a personalized sound.

**Highlights:** Parametric equalizer with 7 control points, Separate left/right ear EQ adjustment, Customizable EQ presets, Spectrum analyzer visualization, Advanced playlist controls, Background playback with remote control, AirPlay and Bluetooth support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great Amazing Improved Sound
- 🎧 Best EQ for audiophile gear
- 🎚️ Awesome App!
- 🔊 Fabulous Audio EQ App!
- 🎶 Excellent app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Stability problems
- 🚫 Lies
- 🚫 Hobbles all DRM songs
- 🐛 Can't import music files
- 🚫 Doesn't work

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes after iOS 11 update
- Scroll bar progress stuck
- Buffering doesn't adjust properly
- App crashes significantly
- Playback may freeze at end of track

**Requested features**

- Sort albums by date added
- Tidal integration
- Playlist support
- Dark mode
- Presets for different headphones/speakers


### ChannelStrip

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/channelstrip/id1460842455)

This app provides essential audio processing tools for music production, including a noise gate, equalizer, and compressor. It offers smooth control for mixing and tonal shaping, with a characterful output stage for adding warmth.

**Highlights:** Noise gate with adjustable envelope, PEV-modeled equalizer for tone shaping, Rough Rider-based compressor, Input/output gain control, Mute and bypass functions, AUv3 plugin support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Equalizer free?

Equalizer costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ChannelStrip free?

ChannelStrip costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Equalizer or ChannelStrip?

ChannelStrip is rated higher. Equalizer averages 3.3 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while ChannelStrip averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Equalizer or ChannelStrip have ads?

Neither Equalizer nor ChannelStrip shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Equalizer or ChannelStrip?

Equalizer ships an update every 2 months, and ChannelStrip every 66 months. Most recently, Equalizer was updated on September 24, 2026 and ChannelStrip on August 26, 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.*