# shapesynth vs Alien Box

The clearest difference is review sentiment: shapesynth at 65% against Alien Box's 0%. shapesynth also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 38 months). Alien Box's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $4.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

shapesynth costs $4.99 and Alien Box $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

shapesynth holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: shapesynth has 24 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of shapesynth's written reviews are positive against 0% of Alien Box's.

shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, Alien Box every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | shapesynth | Alien Box |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapesynth/id431097161/reviews)** | [1.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alien-box/id1235647874/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **65.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 38 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 8 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 10.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Erik Sigth](https://appshunter.io/developer/385275335) | [Aleksandar Mlazev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1093798140) |

## What reviewers say

### shapesynth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapesynth/id431097161)

Create unique retro-inspired sounds by drawing oscillator waveforms. This polyphonic synthesizer offers extensive modulation options, built-in effects, and recording capabilities. Seamlessly integrate with other music apps and hardware for a versatile creative experience.

**Highlights:** Draw custom oscillator waveforms, 16-voice polyphony, Arpeggiator and stereo delay, Resonant filter, Parameter modulation via keyboard, MPE, accelerometer, Tape recorder with infinite overdubs, Inter-app audio and AUv3 support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Alien Box

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alien-box/id1235647874)

This audio effect plugin creates a unique sound with increased sustain and gentle, LFO-modulated vibes. It functions as an AUv3 effect for hosts like GarageBand or as a standalone app for real-time audio input processing.

**Highlights:** Unique sound enrichment, LFO modulated vibes, Complex resonator system, AUv3 plugin for hosts, Standalone app mode, Gain, Vibe, Depth, Reverb controls

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is shapesynth free?

shapesynth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Alien Box free?

Alien Box costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, shapesynth or Alien Box?

shapesynth is rated higher. shapesynth averages 4.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Alien Box averages 1.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do shapesynth or Alien Box have ads?

Neither shapesynth nor Alien Box shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, shapesynth or Alien Box?

shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, and Alien Box every 38 months. Most recently, shapesynth was updated on October 11, 2026 and Alien Box on October 7, 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.*