Comparison

Oscilloscope vs pocketOscilloscope

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

Head to head
About

Oscilloscope

Analyze audio and analog signals with a portable oscilloscope. Features include waveform display, triggering controls, and a built-in signal generator for various waveforms. Supports external input for more advanced measurements.

Highlights
  • Real-time waveform display
  • Triggering modes
  • Signal measurement cursors
  • Built-in signal generator
  • Dual channel input support
  • Reference signal calibration
  • Export traces as text file
Read full description

"I use this for analog, and audio measurements. Attach an Apple USB adapter and a $40 stereo A-D converter available online, and my iPad is like a $300 O'Scope." -thymeout- Oscilloscope app is great for analyzing audio range signals, or learning oscilloscope measurement basics. The interface includes many standard oscilloscope controls, such as: triggering, time and voltage per division, signal measurement cursors, and more. The app incorporates a signal (function) generator capable of generating sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms of up to 22 KHz. Calibration to an external reference signal is supported, guaranteeing the accuracy of measurements. Input can be acquired via the built-in microphone or an external mic/probe connected to the headset connector. For best results, use an external audio interface connected to your device dock. This allows for standard audio equipment to be connected, as well as for dual channel input. Oscilloscope probes also be connected (using a BNC connector). When feeding external signals via probes, you should take care not to exceed 1V AC voltage. Currently iDevices support only AC input. For up-to-date information on feeding signals and currently supported audio interfaces, please visit http://oa.onyx3.com Feature Highlights: ● Real-time waveform display (60 FPS) ● Triggering modes: Normal, Auto, Single ● Set trigger level and pre-trigger time ● Dual channel signal generator ● Reference signal calibration ● Pause function to get a screen capture ● Export traces as text file for further analysis ● Measure signal data using cursors ● Use "finger pinch" on screen to set voltage and time base ● Double tap screen to enter Black Panel mode ● Three color themes to choose from ● XY mode for viewing Lissajous figures ● Frequency range 20Hz-22KHz ● iPhone X ready

About

pocketOscilloscope

Visualize audio waveforms on your Mac, PC, or iOS device. This tool offers detailed controls for RMS/Peak metering, voltage, gain, and visual elements like line thickness and rotation. Customize channel colors for a personalized audio analysis experience.

Highlights
  • Stereo capable oscilloscope
  • RMS/Peak meter
  • Controllable Vertical/Horizontal Offset
  • Voltage and Gain controls
  • Line Thickness and Rotation
  • Custom color selection
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

pocketOscilloscope is a Mac/PC and iOS compatible stereo capable oscilloscope tool for audio nerds. Complete with RMS/Peak meter and controllable Vertical and Horizontal Offset. As well as separate Voltage and Gain controls, coupled with visual controls like Line Thickness and Rotation for a complete experience. Custom color selection for audio channels 1 & 2. This tool is great for checking your custom built oscillators, plug-ins, or just visualizing your audio. VST3, AU, AUv3, & Stand-alone compatible. *Stand alone app works with external audio hardware devices.

Screenshots

Oscilloscope4 screens
pocketOscilloscope4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: pocketOscilloscope at $0.99 against Oscilloscope's $19.99. pocketOscilloscope also leads on chart position (#195 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16). Oscilloscope's advantage is rating (4.1 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (72% vs 50%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Oscilloscope costs $19.99 and pocketOscilloscope $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Oscilloscope holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Oscilloscope's written reviews are positive against 50% of pocketOscilloscope's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Oscilloscope ships an update every 8 months, pocketOscilloscope every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Oscilloscope versus pocketOscilloscope: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOscilloscopepocketOscilloscope
Price$19.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.1 (19 ratings) — better3.6 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews71.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#195 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperONYX AppsOSC Audio

Customer experience

Oscilloscope

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive71.7%
Neutral9.4%
Negative18.9%

pocketOscilloscope

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Oscilloscope

No in-app purchases

None

pocketOscilloscope

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Oscilloscope free?
Oscilloscope costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is pocketOscilloscope free?
pocketOscilloscope costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Oscilloscope or pocketOscilloscope?
Oscilloscope is rated higher. Oscilloscope averages 4.1 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while pocketOscilloscope averages 3.6 from 5 ratings.
Do Oscilloscope or pocketOscilloscope have ads?
Neither Oscilloscope nor pocketOscilloscope shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Oscilloscope or pocketOscilloscope?
Oscilloscope ships an update every 8 months, and pocketOscilloscope every 12 months. Most recently, Oscilloscope was updated on October 23, 2026 and pocketOscilloscope on October 9, 2026.

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