# Laplace vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Laplace at $8.00 against ShockWave's $19.99. Laplace also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 54%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 36). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Laplace costs $8.00 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Laplace holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Laplace's written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's.

Laplace ships an update every 6 weeks, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Laplace | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$8.00** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laplace-auv3-plug-in-synth/id920832974/reviews)** | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 36 | **188** |
| Positive reviews | **89.8% of reviews** | 54.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 7 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iceWorks, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/347507439) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Laplace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laplace-auv3-plug-in-synth/id920832974)

This app is a physical modeling synthesizer that allows users to create a wide range of sounds, from strings and pipes to metallic textures. It provides tools for detailed sound shaping and is compatible with AUv3 environments.

**Highlights:** AUv3-compatible synthesizer, Physical modeling sound engine, Bowed string emulation, Plucked string emulation, Blown pipe emulation, Metallic texture generation, Detailed sound shaping tools

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**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 Laplace free?

Laplace costs $8.00, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

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

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

Laplace is rated higher. Laplace averages 5.0 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 188 ratings.

### Do Laplace or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Laplace nor ShockWave shows ads.

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

Laplace ships an update every 6 weeks, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Laplace was updated on October 21, 2026 and ShockWave on October 14, 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.*