# Tera Synth vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Tera Synth at $1.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Tera Synth also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 53%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). ShockWave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (190 vs 27). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Tera Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Tera Synth's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

Tera Synth ships an update every 4 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tera Synth | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tera-synth/id898308034/reviews)** | [4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 27 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **86.4% 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 | 36 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 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

### Tera Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tera-synth/id898308034)

Create unique sounds beyond traditional synthesizers with a modular analog and digital synthesis workstation. Combine physical modeling, wireless patching, and built-in effects for a fat, individual sound. Features a programmable arpeggiator and live playing options.

**Highlights:** Modular analog and digital synthesis, Physical modeling modules, Wireless patching and modulation routing, Built-in distortion, delay, chorus, phaser, and reverb effects, Programmable arpeggiator, Live playing with onscreen keyboard and MIDI support, Audiobus and Inter-App-Audio integration

**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 Tera Synth free?

Tera Synth costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Tera Synth or ShockWave?

Tera Synth is rated higher. Tera Synth averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.

### Do Tera Synth or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Tera Synth nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tera Synth or ShockWave?

Tera Synth ships an update every 4 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Tera Synth was updated on June 10, 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.*