Comparison

Wave vs CloudLase GO

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

Head to head
About

Wave

Features
Read full description

App Name: Wave-USB FX Description: Wave-USB FX is a real-time laser effects generator for iOS. It produces oscilloscope-style waveforms, audio-reactive color effects, and geometric patterns โ€” all output as multichannel audio signals designed to drive laser projectors through the Wave-USB hardware interface. The app can work stand-alone or with an external ILDA input (to the Wave-USB) for added effect. Features: โ€ข Oscilloscope Engine โ€” Generate ramp, triangle, sine, Lissajous, ring, spiral, and spirograph waveforms with adjustable timebase, gain, and blanking controls. โ€ข Audio-Reactive Color โ€” Drive RGB laser color from live audio input with configurable 3-band frequency analysis, per-band gain, color assignment matrix, and envelope shaping (attack/hold/decay). โ€ข Beat Detection โ€” Automatic beat-driven size modulation with adjustable threshold, intensity, and decay. โ€ข Master Controls โ€” Linkable X/Y size, X/Y offset, RGB level sliders, pixelation, delay, and 3-axis rotation with configurable rotation center offset. โ€ข Projector Calibration โ€” X/Y gain and offset, 4 color profile presets (per-channel gain, offset, gamma, and mid-point correction), and full geometric correction (linearity, bow, pincushion, keystone, shear). โ€ข MIDI Control โ€” Full MIDI mapping of all parameters via CC and note messages, with a configurable mapping table for custom controller layouts. โ€ข USB Joystick Support โ€” BLE joystick input for real-time X/Y position and rotation offset control with adjustable gain and damping. โ€ข Live Preview โ€” Metal-rendered laser point preview via HDMI output. Hardware Compatibility Wave-USB FX is designed for use with the Wave-USB multichannel audio interface. The Wave-USB provides the signal conditioning, level limiting, and safety interlocking required to safely drive a laser projector from audio-rate signals. While the app will technically function with other iOS-compatible multichannel audio devices, the Wave-USB is the only interface engineered specifically to condition and limit output for laser projection. Use of other audio interfaces with laser projectors is not recommended or supported.

About

CloudLase GO

Features
Read full description

CloudLase GO turns your iPhone into a live controller for real laser projectors. Design a look, point it at the rig, and project. Connect over Wi-Fi to EtherDream, LaserCube, and IDN (ILDA Digital Network) DACs, and stream to one projector or several at once. DESIGN Build a look as a stack: shape, colour, beam accents, motion, and effects. Shapes include circles, polygons, stars, sweeps, and a wave generator with amplitude and cycle controls. Motions and effects: spin, orbit, pendulum, wave, ripple, twist, strobe, and more. Line or beam render modes, with connecting beams and beam sequencing. PERFORM A live 3D preview shows exactly what the laser will draw, from the rig view or the audience view. Audio reactive: the show breathes with the music in the room through the microphone or a line-in interface, and each shape reacts in its own way. Timeline: queue looks into a timed show that plays in sequence. Beam Deck: a launch grid of cues. Assign looks to pads and fire them live. With more than one projector connected, route different cues to different devices. CONTROL AND SAFETY Per device output settings: brightness, scale, geometry, point rate, and blanking. A latching E-STOP and scan-safety limits are always on, and output stops the moment the app leaves the foreground. WHAT YOU NEED A compatible laser DAC on the same Wi-Fi network (EtherDream, LaserCube, or IDN). CloudLase GO - Pro, an auto-renewable subscription, to project to a laser. Designing and previewing looks is always free. Lasers can cause injury. Always follow local regulations and aim shows safely. CloudLase GO Pro is an auto-renewable subscription billed monthly to your Apple Account. It renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://cloudlase.studio/privacy Terms of Use: https://cloudlase.studio/terms

Screenshots

Wave4 screens
CloudLase GO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Wave at none against CloudLase GO's 3. CloudLase GO's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. CloudLase GO sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Wave asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 3 level
Wave versus CloudLase GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaveCloudLase GO
PriceFreeFree
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size3 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid ZurcherBrett Findlay

In-app purchases

None

Wave

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

CloudLase GO

Subscriptions2
  • CloudLase GO - Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • CloudLase GO - Yearly$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • CloudLase GO - Lifetime$149.99

Questions

Is Wave free?
Wave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CloudLase GO free?
CloudLase GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Wave or CloudLase GO have ads?
Neither Wave nor CloudLase GO shows ads.

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