Comparison

PixelWave vs VADrum2

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

Head to head
About

PixelWave

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
Read full description

PixelWave is an experimental wavetable synth with old school pixel interface. Key features: • it is possible to draw waveform and play it at the same time; • export to WAV; • nine predefined waveforms; • changeable number of octaves (from 2 to 6); • MIDI keyboard support; • Audiobus and IAA support.

About

VADrum2

Create electronic music with a virtual analog drum machine. Features a synthesizer with 27 voices, built-in effects, and a powerful sequencer. Save projects to iCloud and use it as a standalone app or an Audio Unit Extension.

Highlights
  • 27 virtual analog and sample playback drum voices
  • Integrated delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, EQ, and compressor
  • 16-bar pattern sequencer with parameter automation
  • Stand-alone app and AUv3 extension support
  • Ableton Link and Bluetooth MIDI compatibility
  • iCloud Drive project saving
  • Universal Purchase for iOS and macOS
Features
Read full description

VADrum2 is a virtual analog drum machine for iPhone, iPad and Mac. VADrum2 consists of drum synthesizer, effects and a sequencer. The drum synthesizer includes 27 drum voices, which are 23 virtual analog modules and 4 sample playback modules and they are inspired by the iconic analog drum machines of the 1980’s. The Effects includes delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq, and compressor. The sequencer offers ability to program 16 bar pattern per clip and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive. VADrum2 works as a stand alone or as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI and MIDI IN/OUT. Main Features Drum Synthesizer - 27 drum synthesizer modules (24 virtual analog and 4 sample playback) Sequencer - 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 16 clips. - Parameter automation. Audio Export - Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) - Support iCloud Drive. - Support Universal Purchase (Works on iOS devices and macOS devices) - Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) System Requirements - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) is supported by Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS, and Apple Logic on Mac. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension (AUv3).

Screenshots

PixelWave1 screens
VADrum24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PixelWave at $0.99 against VADrum2's $14.99. PixelWave also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.5). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

PixelWave costs $0.99 and VADrum2 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PixelWave holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of PixelWave's written reviews are positive against 86% of VADrum2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PixelWave ships an update every 4 months, VADrum2 every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PixelWave versus VADrum2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPixelWaveVADrum2
Price$0.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.8 (19 ratings) — better4.5 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews89.3% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ZolotovRyo Togawa

Customer experience

PixelWave

All ratings19 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive89.3%
Neutral5.4%
Negative5.4%

VADrum2

All ratings16 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

PixelWave

No in-app purchases

None

VADrum2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PixelWave free?
PixelWave costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VADrum2 free?
VADrum2 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PixelWave or VADrum2?
PixelWave is rated higher. PixelWave averages 4.8 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while VADrum2 averages 4.5 from 16 ratings.
Do PixelWave or VADrum2 have ads?
Neither PixelWave nor VADrum2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PixelWave or VADrum2?
PixelWave ships an update every 4 months, and VADrum2 every 5 months. Most recently, PixelWave was updated on September 23, 2026 and VADrum2 on September 20, 2026.

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