Comparison

JAX Squasher vs tapeworm

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

Head to head
About

JAX Squasher

This audio processing tool maximizes loudness and compresses audio with simple controls. It offers transparent limiting and can be used across various Apple devices and compatible music production software.

Highlights
  • Self-adjusting loudness maximization
  • Simple input gain and threshold adjustment
  • Transparent limiting and loudness compression
  • MIDI automation for parameters
  • Universal app for Apple Silicon devices
  • Scalable to any screen size
  • Inbuilt preset management
Features
Read full description

The JAX Squasher is a self adjusting loudness maximizing limiter with super easy adjustment. Just increase the input gain or tweak the threshold parameter up to the desired level. Very short attack and release times can produce harmonic distortion but the effect is intended to be used for transparent limiting / loudness compression results. Online manual: https://audio.digitster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JAX-Essential-Series-Squasher.pdf Demonstration video: https://youtu.be/snVg-0QrZJc Use the same AudioUnits (AUv3) across all Apple Silicon devices, including the iPhone, the Apple Vision Pro and the Mac (M1/2/3/4). Native MacOS apps like GarageBand, MainStage 3 and Logic Pro are supported. Any 3rd-party AUv3 supporting host should be able to host the plugin too. The hosts must support Apples standards for MIDI enabled effect processors. MIDI automation is inbuilt. Just select the MIDI Controller for the desired automation parameter. Multiple assignments are possible. All audio unit parameters are exposed for direct AU automation. JAX Essential Series have the following key features : - ultra efficient with low memory footprint, made for stacking up - fully scalable to any screen size, based on vector drawing - freely MIDI assignable parameters and control - all effects can be mixed to the audio with any amount - inbuilt preset management and factory sets - upwards compatible with older devices and iOS versions - available on all Apple Silicon platforms, iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS with one release and price More infos can be found on our support website https://audio.digitster.net For advanced usage (i.e. mastering and exciting), we recommend to select the chorus from our SELECTIVE RANGE SERIES, which allows to limit the frequency range for audio processing. This build is truly 'universal', meaning, the audio unit is available for: - MacOS (Apple Silicon) - iOS (all actual iPhones) - iPadOS (all actual iPads) - visionOS (Apple Vision Pro) ( AudioUnits (AUv3) are app extensions, requiring an audio host application to perform. ) OS requirements: MacOS 10.15++ iOS 14.0++

About

tapeworm

This music app offers a unique tape delay effect with a "wiggly, dirty" sound. Control delay time by stretching or flicking a virtual tapeworm, with options for manual or random adjustments. It includes analog-modeled saturation, compression, and amplifier stages for a rich audio experience.

Highlights
  • Interactive tape delay time control
  • Manual and free modes for delay
  • Analog-modeled tape saturation and compression
  • Overdrivable feedback
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
  • Performative sound design elements
Features
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Tapeworm is a tape echo with a unique method of changing the delay time, and a wiggly, dirty sound. You can set the delay time manually by stretching the worm. The record button will flash to show the current interval. You can exit the fixed time mode and enter free mode by toggling. This lets the delay time change randomly, which you can encourage by flicking the tapeworm around. Double tap to reset, adding a fun performative element to your sound. Feedback can be overdriven. An analog-modeled tape saturation and compression, and amplifier and limiter stage, keep it sounding juicy when it gets loud. Tapeworm is audio unit (AUv3) compatible, meaning you can use it as a plugin in your app of choice like AUM, GarageBand or Logic. We hope you enjoy using tapeworm for music, or just for fun.

Screenshots

JAX Squasher1 screens
tapeworm3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: tapeworm at Free against JAX Squasher's $5.99. tapeworm also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (12 vs 4). JAX Squasher's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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

tapeworm is free to download; JAX Squasher costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

tapeworm holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 12 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of JAX Squasher's written reviews are positive against 71% of tapeworm's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
JAX Squasher versus tapeworm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJAX Squashertapeworm
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)4.3 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings412 — better
Update frequency—Every 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJens GuellRadii Research

Customer experience

JAX Squasher

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

tapeworm

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

None

JAX Squasher

No in-app purchases

None

tapeworm

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is JAX Squasher free?
JAX Squasher costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is tapeworm free?
tapeworm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, JAX Squasher or tapeworm?
tapeworm is rated higher. JAX Squasher averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while tapeworm averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.
Do JAX Squasher or tapeworm have ads?
Neither JAX Squasher nor tapeworm shows ads.

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