Soundwaves vs ANILOG
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Soundwaves
Connect your iOS device to your Subsonic music server for a simple and seamless audio and video streaming experience. Enjoy your media library at home or on the go, even with limited bandwidth. Supports various audio and video formats, and compatible with other Subsonic API servers.
- Subsonic music server client
- Audio and video streaming
- Bandwidth-limited connection support
- CarPlay compatibility
- FLAC, Opus, Ogg Vorbis playback
- Plays movies from server
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Soundwaves is a client for the Subsonic music server. Soundwaves focuses on simplicity, making it the ideal client to connect your iPad or iPhone to your home theater setup. Optionally setting a suitable max bit rate, enables Soundwaves to work well even over a bandwidth limited connection (e.g. a mobile connection). It will also play nicely with your car radio, connected via USB, Bluetooth or CarPlay. In addition to audio formats natively supported by iOS (e.g. mp3, AAC), Soundwaves can also play FLAC, Opus and Ogg Vorbis content. Soundwaves can also play movies from your Subsonic server, as long as they are in a supported format (.mov, .mp4, .mpv, .3gp) or a proper transcoding has been configured on the server. Soundwaves works with other media servers which implement the same Subsonic API's, such as Madsonic, Airsonic, Supysonic, LMS or Ampache. Note about privacy: tracking only happens when using the free, ad-supported version. Removing ads via the in-app purchase also stops tracking and data collection.
ANILOG
Create unique synthesized sounds with a mobile analog synthesizer. Design vintage video game, chiptune, and synth-pop music with a powerful multi-track sequencer and live performance features. Load it as a plugin in your DAW for ultimate flexibility.
- Morphing analog synthesizer engine
- Multi-track sequencer with 32 voices
- Live performance pattern looping
- Audio Unit (AUv3) plugin support
- 168 hand-crafted presets
- Built-in echo tank and sidechain effects
- MIDI keyboard support
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ANILOG is bursting onto the scene with a totally new approach to making synthesized instruments---this isn't your typical analog synth. Designed by musicians and battle-tested in live performance, ANILOG is a mobile powerhouse! It's great for vintage video game, chiptune, and synth pop music. Perform live music sets with pattern looping and cueing. Load ANILOG in your favorite DAW as an Audio Unit plugin! (ANILOG supports most AUv3 hosts.) For each instance of ANILOG you can choose single instruments in Instrument Mode, or set to Sequencer Mode to play more complex backing tracks. ANILOG is also fully Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible. Combine 3 oscillators and a noise envelope to produce bright 80s-style synths, rich deep bass, punchy kicks and snares, a variety of screaming leads, and even breathy woodwinds! It's loaded with 168 hand-crafted presets that respond to touch velocity on the on-screen keyboard or an attached MIDI keyboard. The built-in multi-track sequencer lets you play up to 32 voices simultaneously with per-track reverb and volume send levels. Each song contains its own instrument patch library so you can create the perfect sound. Compose and share songs wherever you are. Speed up your editing by attaching a hardware keyboard. Also supports cool effects like a built-in echo tank and sidechain ducking. This is the ultimate analog workstation that fits in your pocket or on the stage. * Audio Units version 3 (AUv3) compatible * Up to 32 voices * 168 factory preset programs, 168 extra user program storage * 3 oscillators and 1 noise generator per voice * Velocity-sensitive envelopes and properties * 16-track sequencer with import and export * Looping, next-pattern selection, and track mute toggle buttons for live performance * Built-in echo tank, sidechain effect, randomized detuning for warmth * Export/import instrument settings to JSON to share with your friends * Designed for the iPhone, and scales up to an iPad (even in windowed mode) * On-screen note keyboard that can be hidden * Plug in MIDI keyboard * Rad "dark" look that makes it easy to see on stage * Attach a hardware keyboard for enhanced editing shortcuts, use window mode on iPad * Audiobus compatible, IAA compatible
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ANILOG at none against Soundwaves's 1. ANILOG also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (70% vs 60%). Soundwaves's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
Soundwaves costs $3.99 and ANILOG $5.99 up front. Soundwaves sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ANILOG asks for nothing beyond the download.
ANILOG holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Soundwaves's written reviews are positive against 70% of ANILOG's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Soundwaves | ANILOG |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.1 (12 ratings) | 4.3 (18 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.4% of reviews | 70.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Simone Tellini | Sequence Mediaworks LLC |
Customer experience
Soundwaves
ANILOG
In-app purchases
Soundwaves
- Ads-free Edition$3.99
ANILOG
No in-app purchases









