Comparison

WOW Filterbox vs OtherDesertCities

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

Head to head
About

WOW Filterbox

This app offers a creative multi-filterbox with 21 filter types, analog and digital distortions, and powerful modulation options. It includes an integrated player and recorder, XY-pads for parameter control, and supports MIDI and Ableton Link.

Highlights
  • 21 filter types
  • Analog and digital distortion
  • Step sequencer & wobble generator
  • LFO with multiple waveforms
  • XY-Pads for parameter control
  • Integrated player and recorder
  • MIDI support & Ableton Link
Read full description

WOW2 is here! With a future-dripping user interface, 21 incredible filter types with the famous vowel mode. With distortions that cover your tracks with gas and put them on fire. Modulations that cause more trouble than your modular dark room. And finally that warm and juicy sound, that you were looking for. - 21 Filter types like Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass, Bandreject, Comb and much more. Low pass types up to 48 db, including flavors like SVF, Diode Ladder and Transistor Ladder. The filters and distortions have been designed for best harmonics without aliasing, for high definition audio quality. - Three different analog modeling overdrives and four digital distortion functions are included. Use them pre or post the filter. - Modulation is power. Power is ***. Create stunning trance gates with the step sequencer, do some giant wobbles with the wobble generator or let all the modulators interact with each other. The LFO offers many different wave forms, restart options and sync flavors. - Presets are just one click away. Randomize presets to inspire yourself. Features at a Glance: • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • XY-Pads to control 6 Parameters simultaneously • Integrated Player (File Sharing, Music Library, Factory Loops) • Integrated Recorder (div. Optionen: Start/Stop/Sync/Länge) • Live Modus (Inputs & Outputs selectable) • MIDI Support, MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Midi Clock Sync • Ableton Link support • Audioshare Import & Preset Share (iCloud)

About

OtherDesertCities

Explore a versatile audio effect with six unique delay algorithms, offering everything from classic stereo delays to experimental granular pitch-shifting. Extensive modulation and I/O controls allow for deep sonic manipulation and creative sound design.

Highlights
  • Six unique delay algorithms
  • Extensive modulation capabilities
  • Tempo-synced LFOs
  • Envelope follower
  • Diffusor for feedback smearing
  • Advanced I/O control
  • Granular pitch-shifting
Features
Read full description

Other Desert Cities is a multi-mode delay plugin built for sound designers, producers, and anyone who thinks regular delays are getting a little boring. Named after the famous sign on the I-10 leaving Los Angeles, Other Desert Cities takes you down less-traveled roads. Six algorithms, each with its own distinct personality. A full suite of modulation. A diffuser that smears feedback toward reverb. And gain-structure controls deep enough to duck, pan, and route almost anything. ALGORITHMS Desert Shores — a clean dual stereo delay with saturation, filtering, spread, and crossfeed. Mecca — a reverse delay with smooth crossfading and an optional Reflect mode that alternates playback direction on each repeat. Cactus — a dual-delta delay. Each side runs as a variable-speed looper, playing forward or backward at any speed from zero to 2x, with pitch quantized to octaves, fifths, or semitones. Thermal — a multi-tap delay with up to sixteen equally-spaced taps per side, each with its own level. Mirage — a variable-speed multi-head delay inspired by the 1967 Eltro Information Rate Changer. One to four rotating heads play through a circular buffer at any speed from -2 to +2. Sky Valley — a granular delay with independent control over grain size, scatter, and pitch randomization. Transpose from three octaves down to one octave up. MODULATION Two tempo-syncable LFOs with variable shape and skew, plus an envelope follower with sidechain input. Almost every parameter in the plugin can be modulated. Click any knob and assign modulation depth from each of the three sources independently. DIFFUSER A diffusion processor sits inside the feedback path, with controls for size, diffusion amount, modulation rate and depth, and a dedicated low-cut filter. At high settings it takes the delay into reverb territory, especially paired with the Thermal algorithm. LEVELS Full input/output gain control, stereo width, independent delay pan, regeneration balance, and wet balance. Input level and mute sit before the delay block, so the plugin works correctly as both an insert and a send, with proper tails behavior. PRESETS Factory presets from Chris Randall, Matthew Lyon, Red Means Recording, and Time Rival, plus a cross-platform XML-based preset manager with import, export, and clipboard paste. FEATURES Six distinct delay algorithms Two LFOs and an envelope follower with sidechain Diffuser with independent modulation Tempo sync on delay times and LFO rates Delay times up to two seconds free, ten seconds synced Cross-platform XML preset format AUv3 and standalone Also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP formats from Audio Damage.

Screenshots

OtherDesertCities4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: WOW Filterbox at Free against OtherDesertCities's $4.99. OtherDesertCities's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (86% vs 64%). On ratings volume 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

WOW Filterbox is free to download; OtherDesertCities costs $4.99 up front. WOW Filterbox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OtherDesertCities asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OtherDesertCities holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 59 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of WOW Filterbox's written reviews are positive against 86% of OtherDesertCities's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WOW Filterbox ships an update every 4 months, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
WOW Filterbox versus OtherDesertCities: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWOW FilterboxOtherDesertCities
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.6 (29 ratings)4.8 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2959 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

WOW Filterbox

All ratings29 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral10.3%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative23.8%

OtherDesertCities

All ratings59 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

WOW Filterbox

One-time1
  • WOW Full Version$19.99
None

OtherDesertCities

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WOW Filterbox free?
WOW Filterbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OtherDesertCities free?
OtherDesertCities costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WOW Filterbox or OtherDesertCities?
OtherDesertCities is rated higher. WOW Filterbox averages 4.6 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while OtherDesertCities averages 4.8 from 59 ratings.
Do WOW Filterbox or OtherDesertCities have ads?
Neither WOW Filterbox nor OtherDesertCities shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WOW Filterbox or OtherDesertCities?
WOW Filterbox ships an update every 4 months, and OtherDesertCities every 2 months. Most recently, WOW Filterbox was updated on September 19, 2026 and OtherDesertCities on September 22, 2026.

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