# Impaktor vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Impaktor at $6.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Impaktor also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 53%). ShockWave's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

ShockWave holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 190 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of Impaktor's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Impaktor ships an update every 12 months, ShockWave every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Impaktor | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$6.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [3.7 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/impaktor/id557824278/reviews) | **[4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 53 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **78.8% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 17 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BeepStreet](https://appshunter.io/developer/321412321) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Impaktor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/impaktor/id557824278)

This app transforms any surface into a playable percussion instrument using your device's microphone. It offers a vast sonic palette with advanced sound modules and synthesis types, allowing for a wide range of acoustic, electronic, and industrial tones. Enjoy a realistic virtual drumming experience with low latency and a 6-track recorder.

**Highlights:** Surface-to-percussion instrument transformation, Advanced sound module simulation, Semi-modular synthesis architecture, Physical modeling, FM, and noise shaping synthesis, 6-track audio recorder with 3D panning, Ultra-low latency performance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Extraordinary app
- 👍 Responsive and intuitive
- 👍 Sleek and appealing interface
- 🎨 Versatile and expressive sounds
- 🎨 Organic and natural feel

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes with Inter-App Audio
- 🐛 Issues with WAV exports
- 🐛 Latency problems on certain devices
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- 🐛 Unreliable saving functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes with Inter-App Audio
- Issues with WAV exports
- Latency problems on certain devices
- Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- Unreliable saving functionality

**Requested features**

- MIDI support
- Audio import functionality
- Ableton Link sync
- More quantization options
- Multitrack export


### 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 Impaktor free?

Impaktor costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Impaktor or ShockWave?

ShockWave is rated higher. Impaktor averages 3.7 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.

### Do Impaktor or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Impaktor nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Impaktor or ShockWave?

Impaktor ships an update every 12 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Impaktor was updated on September 21, 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.*