Comparison

Impaktor vs Agonizer

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

Head to head
About

Impaktor

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
Read full description

* "Without doubt the most powerful and genuinely useful percussion app on the App Store right now" Computer Music * Reached the #1 paid music app in 5 countries * SonicTouch (www.sonicstate.com) gold award Impaktor is a drum synthesizer with a vast sonic palette, that turns any surface into a playable percussion instrument. You just slap your desk like you would a real drum. The real acoustical impulses from the built-in microphone are used as an excitation source for advanced sound modules that simulates behavior of membranes, cymbals, metallophones or strings. This makes Impaktor a highly responsive and expressive instrument. With semi-modular architecture and several types of synthesis, Impaktor can produce a wide range of tones, from acoustic, like Tabla, Djembe, Marimba, Cymbals, Metal bars to electronic or industrial sounds. We strongly recommend using the app with wired headphones to avoid acoustic feedback and ensure ultra-low latency. (USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter, USB-C headphones or an audio interface). You can use the Impaktor app with a contact microphone or analog drum pad to achieve isolated and sensitive input, reducing ambient noise and enhancing trigger accuracy. Enjoy the most realistic virtual drumming experience available for mobile devices! SYNTHESIZER - Synthesis: physical modeling, frequency modulation, noise shaping - Semi-modular architecture; 2 modules with configurable routing - 2 modulation sources: velocity and lfo-envelope. Almost every parameter can be modulated - Multimode filter, harmonic exciter and several types of amplifiers - Over 90 presets available, more coming soon - No samples used - Ultra low latency  RECORDER - 6 tracks audio recorder - True 3d panning - Auto-quantization with configurable time-signature - Reverb and Delay effects - Audio-copy and wave export

About

Agonizer

This app is a monophonic synthesizer focused on bass sounds, developed with a synth bass expert. It features dual wavetable oscillators, a mangle section, and built-in stereo effects. It supports MPE controllers and various audio/MIDI connectivity options for standalone or app-to-app use.

Highlights
  • Monophonic synth engine for bass
  • Dual wavetable oscillators
  • Built-in stereo effects
  • MPE controller support
  • Standalone and AUv3 operation
  • 140+ factory presets
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Agonizer is a monophonic synthesizer designed in collaboration with YouTuber and synth bass expert Jakob Haq of haQ attaQ Overview: * Monophonic Synth Engine with focus on Bass * Built-in stereo effects * 140+ fine tuned factory presets designed by Jakob Haq * Supports ROLI Seaboard and other MPE controllers out of the box * Standalone operation with support for USB audio interfaces, wired, network & bluetooth MIDI * Audio Unit v3 Extension * Inter App Audio support * Audiobus support * Ableton Link Synth Voice: * Dual Wavetable Oscillators with 40+ Wavetables, Morphing & X-Mod * Dedicated sub osc & noise source * Mangle Section with pre-filter Drive, Bitcrush, Lift and Push controls * VA Ladder filter * Wobulator (Highly tweak-able Sequenced LFO) * LFO with Key and BPM Sync * Variable Slope AD & ADSR Envelopes * Tube based master drive Effects: * 2x stereo effect units * Vintage Chorus * Digital Delay Presets: * Factory bank including 140+ presets designed by Jakob Haq * Preset Management with Templates & Categories * Shared User Presets between Standalone and AUv3 versions * Preset Export & Import Connectivity: * Standalone * AUv3 Instrument * Inter-App Audio Instrument * Audiobus Instrument Requirements: * iOS12+ * iPad Air 2 or newer

Screenshots

Impaktor2 screens
Agonizer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Agonizer at 4.8 against Impaktor's 3.7. Agonizer also leads on chart position (#189 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 12 months). Impaktor's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and price ($6.99 vs $7.99). On review sentiment, ads and device support 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

Impaktor costs $6.99 and Agonizer $7.99 up front. Agonizer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Impaktor asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Agonizer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 203 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 79% and 78% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Impaktor ships an update every 12 months, Agonizer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Impaktor versus Agonizer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterImpaktorAgonizer
Price$6.99 — better$7.99
Rating3.7 (53 ratings)4.8 (203 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews — better78.0% of reviews
Number of ratings53203 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#189 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB362 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeepStreetKai Aras

Customer experience

Impaktor

All ratings53 ratings
Positive66.0%
Neutral7.5%
Negative26.4%
Written reviews242 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral9.5%
Negative11.6%

Agonizer

All ratings203 ratings
Positive95.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive78.0%
Neutral6.1%
Negative15.9%

User reviews

Impaktor

From 53 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Agonizer

From 203 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 Excellent sound quality and unique bass tones
  • 🎨 Intuitive and well-designed user interface
  • ⚙️ Powerful modulation and sound design capabilities
  • 🎛️ Wobulator feature for creative bass manipulation
  • 📦 Great presets included with the app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Keyboard legato/mono-synth behavior inconsistent
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes in host applications (AUM, Cubasis, Audiobus)
  • 🐛 No sound output in GarageBand and some AU hosts
  • 🐛 App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
  • 🐛 UI responsiveness issues and knob lag

Bugs and requests

Impaktor

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

6 requests
  • MIDI support
  • Audio import functionality
  • Ableton Link sync
  • More quantization options
  • Multitrack export
Show 1 more
  • Landscape mode for iPad

Agonizer

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Keyboard does not properly handle legato/mono-synth note priority
  • Crashes in Audiobus, AUM, and Cubasis host applications
  • No sound output when used as AUv3 plugin in hosts
  • No sound in GarageBand integration
  • App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
Show 11 more
  • Stuck notes and failed note triggering
  • Scream button malfunction when switching presets
  • Cutoff knob lag in AUv3 scenarios
  • UI jitter and text cutoff on iPhone
  • Favorite preset feature not working on iPhone
  • Program change not working properly in hosts
  • Always opens with init preset in host applications
  • Modulation matrix sensitivity too high (2% movement = large range)
  • Audio output peaks in red with no sound
  • Permanent clipping/damaged audio output
  • Misleading IAP pricing display (showing 'FREE' for paid content)

Requested features

10 requests
  • Polyphony mode or toggle between mono and poly
  • Envelope drawing capability instead of preset selection
  • Menu-based waveform selection instead of cycling
  • Arpeggiator function
  • Preset browser search and favorites filter
Show 5 more
  • Extended automation control for all knobs
  • Keytracking for filter
  • Reverb effect
  • Accelerometer/gyroscopic velocity sensitivity
  • Customizable number of keyboard keys

In-app purchases

None

Impaktor

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Agonizer

One-time3
  • Neon Nightmare Pack$1.99
  • Chrome Oasis Pack$1.99
  • Circuit Bender Pack$1.99

Questions

Is Impaktor free?
Impaktor costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Agonizer free?
Agonizer costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Impaktor or Agonizer?
Agonizer is rated higher. Impaktor averages 3.7 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Agonizer averages 4.8 from 203 ratings.
Do Impaktor or Agonizer have ads?
Neither Impaktor nor Agonizer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Impaktor or Agonizer?
Impaktor ships an update every 12 months, and Agonizer every 5 months. Most recently, Impaktor was updated on November 1, 2026 and Agonizer on November 3, 2026.

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