# microTERA vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: microTERA at $1.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. microTERA also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 53%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (190 vs 8) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

microTERA costs $1.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

microTERA holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of microTERA's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

microTERA ships an update every 4 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | microTERA | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microtera/id819266128/reviews)** | [4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **81.0% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 24 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Harry Gohs](https://appshunter.io/developer/382428644) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### microTERA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microtera/id819266128)

Explore unique sonic textures with this waveshaping synthesizer. Generate novel sound patches randomly or program them with detailed controls. Includes a variety of built-in effects and advanced sequencing capabilities.

**Highlights:** Waveshaper with user programmable shape, Random sound patch generation, Sequencer with programmable steps, Built-in effects (Chorus, Phaser, Reverb, etc.), Over 150 factory sounds, Audiobus and Ableton Link compatible

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShockWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670)

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

**Highlights:** Phase Distortion Synthesis, Dual PD Oscillators, Dual 8-step Sequencers, Dual ASR Envelopes, Tempo-syncable LFOs, Extensive Modulation Matrix, MIDI and MPE Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

**Reported bugs**

- "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
- Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
- Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
- App crashes frequently.
- No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.

**Requested features**

- Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
- Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
- Add a poly mode.
- Improve documentation and tutorials.
- Standardize knob appearance and response.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is microTERA free?

microTERA costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, microTERA or ShockWave?

microTERA is rated higher. microTERA averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.

### Do microTERA or ShockWave have ads?

Neither microTERA nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, microTERA or ShockWave?

microTERA ships an update every 4 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, microTERA was updated on September 17, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 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.*