# Surface Builder vs FAC Smash

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Surface Builder at none against FAC Smash's 3. Surface Builder also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). FAC Smash's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $14.99) and chart position (#176 vs unranked). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Surface Builder costs $14.99 and FAC Smash $9.99 up front. FAC Smash sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Surface Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.

Surface Builder holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 6 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 80% and 80% positive.

Surface Builder ships an update every 3 weeks, FAC Smash every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Surface Builder | FAC Smash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **$9.99** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fac-smash/id6480281404/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **15** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#176** |
| Size | 32 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [4Pockets.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/370131860) | [Frederic Corvest](https://appshunter.io/developer/1230164765) |

## What reviewers say

### Surface Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778)

Create custom MIDI control surfaces for audio applications. Design interfaces with buttons, knobs, and faders to send and receive MIDI data, control audio clips, and customize appearance. Supports AUv3 plugins and standalone use.

**Highlights:** Customizable MIDI control surfaces, AUv3 plugin and standalone modes, Send/receive MIDI data (notes, controllers, pitch bend), Audio clip playback control, Multi-scene interface design, Drag and drop interface customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### FAC Smash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fac-smash/id6480281404)

**Currently charting:** #176 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app offers powerful sound shaping with extreme compression and unique features to refine audio. It provides multi-band processing, a creative noise gate, and parallel compression with a visual waveform display for effortless adjustments.

**Highlights:** Extreme compression with analog nuances, Unique 'flatten' feature for dynamics, Multi-band processing with steep filter slopes, Creative noise gate, Parallel compression and brickwall limiter, Waveform display, Portrait and landscape views

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Surface Builder free?

Surface Builder costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is FAC Smash free?

FAC Smash costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Surface Builder or FAC Smash?

Surface Builder is rated higher. Surface Builder averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while FAC Smash averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do Surface Builder or FAC Smash have ads?

Neither Surface Builder nor FAC Smash shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Surface Builder or FAC Smash?

Surface Builder ships an update every 3 weeks, and FAC Smash every 7 months. Most recently, Surface Builder was updated on September 22, 2026 and FAC Smash on September 10, 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.*