# Addictive Synth vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Addictive Synth at $6.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Addictive Synth also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 53%) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (190 vs 15). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Addictive Synth costs $6.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Addictive Synth against 4.6 for ShockWave. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Addictive Synth's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Addictive Synth | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$6.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/addictive-synth/id447072653/reviews) | **[4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **78.1% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 47 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Harry Gohs](https://appshunter.io/developer/382428644) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Addictive Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/addictive-synth/id447072653)

Create unique sounds and driving loops with a powerful wavetable synthesizer. Explore a vast sonic universe with dynamic oscillators, spectral noise generation, and intelligent randomizers. Play live with an onscreen keyboard or connect a MIDI controller.

**Highlights:** Dynamic wavetable synthesis, Spectral noise generator, Intelligent randomizer for sounds and arpeggios, Onscreen keyboard with live playing capabilities, MIDI keyboard compatibility, Programmable arpeggiator, Audiobus and Inter-app audio support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Unique additive synthesis sound palette
- 🎛️ Intuitive and clean interface design
- 🎲 Randomizer/dice feature for creative exploration
- 🎹 Excellent arpeggiator with extensive customization
- ✏️ Ability to draw custom waveforms and filters

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 Harsh, metallic, or shrill sound character
- 🐛 Crashes on certain iOS versions
- ⏱️ Tempo drift and synchronization issues
- 🎹 Small, difficult-to-use on-screen controls
- 📡 Poor MIDI latency and responsiveness

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes upon opening on iOS 15.1
- Static/audio glitches on startup
- Keyboard width inconsistency across pages
- Stuck notes with external MIDI controllers
- Audio playback at 2x speed when pasting from certain apps

**Requested features**

- MIDI learn functionality
- Audiobus and IAA sync support
- MIDI clock/start/stop synchronization
- Ableton Link integration
- White/pink noise generator


### 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.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Addictive Synth free?

Addictive Synth costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Addictive Synth or ShockWave?

ShockWave is rated higher. Addictive Synth averages 4.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.

### Do Addictive Synth or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Addictive Synth nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Addictive Synth or ShockWave?

Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Addictive Synth was updated on June 9, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 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.*