# PixelWave vs KAiKU Control

The clearest difference is price: KAiKU Control at Free against PixelWave's $0.99. PixelWave's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

KAiKU Control is free to download; PixelWave costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PixelWave ships an update every 4 months, KAiKU Control every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PixelWave | KAiKU Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelwave/id447318771/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **19** | — |
| Positive reviews | 89.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 2 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Zolotov](https://appshunter.io/developer/324462547) | [Care Us Oy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561467992) |

## What reviewers say

### PixelWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelwave/id447318771)

Create unique sounds with an experimental wavetable synthesizer featuring a retro pixel interface. Draw custom waveforms, choose from presets, and adjust octaves. Export your creations and integrate with other music apps.

**Highlights:** Draw custom waveforms, Export to WAV, Nine predefined waveforms, Changeable octaves (2-6), MIDI keyboard support, Audiobus and IAA support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Innovative sound design tool
- 🎨 Great for drawing waveforms
- 🎶 Produces unique and interesting sounds
- 🤩 Fun and engaging to use
- 💰 Good value for the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Limited functionality for some
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🎛️ Some effects difficult to control/disable
- 🔊 Loud beating sound with multi-touch
- ⏳ Memory issues reported

**Reported bugs**

- AudioCopy not utilized
- Unable to access tools or change parameters
- Memory issue with iOS7 claiming large amounts of storage
- Not visible in Audiobus
- Tone and Waveform text fading in and out

**Requested features**

- Updated export options
- Screen recording functionality
- Basic reverb effect
- Further functionality (sequencer, LFOs, filters)
- Ability to adjust arpeggiation rate/BPM


### KAiKU Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kaiku-control/id1450527844)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PixelWave free?

PixelWave costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KAiKU Control free?

KAiKU Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PixelWave or KAiKU Control have ads?

Neither PixelWave nor KAiKU Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PixelWave or KAiKU Control?

PixelWave ships an update every 4 months, and KAiKU Control every 5 months. Most recently, PixelWave was updated on October 24, 2026 and KAiKU Control on October 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.*