A WaveVisual alternative: Shimga wave art compared
You are choosing between two ways to turn audio into sound wave art. This is a plain comparison of what each one offers and costs, including the places where WaveVisual is the better choice.
Prices and features for WaveVisual are from their public website as of October 2026 and can change. Check their site before you buy. Shimga is an independent product and is not affiliated with WaveVisual.
The short version
- Choose Shimga if you want a simple, guided way to make one or two gift prints, a lower price per design, and ideas for specific occasions.
- Choose WaveVisual if you need very large files, PDF output, a QR code that plays the audio, animated exports from the same editor, or an unlimited plan for heavy use.
Side by side
Free to design and preview. Downloads from $3.99.
| Feature | Shimga wave art | WaveVisual (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and preview for free | Yes, in your browser. | Yes, no sign-up needed to start. |
| Download the finished file | Paid. No free downloads; designing and previewing are free. | Paid. No free clean download. |
| One design | $3.99 | $9.00 per design, all formats, commercial licence |
| Several designs | 3 for $9.99, 10 for $24, 50-credit pack $59 (valid 1 year) | Credit packs: 100 credits for $39 (about $0.39 each), credits never expire; larger tiers exist |
| Subscription | Shimga Pro includes 10 wave-art downloads a month | Unlimited plan at $29 a month or $14 a month billed annually, fair-use limits |
| Image formats | PNG, JPG, SVG | PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF; up to 12000 x 8000 px at 300 DPI |
| Video / animated output | Separate: the Shimga studio exports MP4 music visualizers | MP4, GIF, WebM and MOV (with alpha) from the same editor |
| Audio sources | Upload a file | Upload, record with microphone, search songs, paste a Spotify link, sample tracks |
| QR code on the art | Not available | Yes, links to a page that plays the audio |
| Guides for specific occasions | Dedicated guides for weddings, baby heartbeats, voice messages and more | Occasion ideas in blog posts |
| Refunds | See the Shimga refund policy | Subscriptions 14 days, single designs 30 days, unused credits 30 days |
Where WaveVisual is better
- Output range: PDF and very high resolution files, plus animated formats from the same editor.
- More ways to bring audio in, including microphone recording and Spotify links.
- A QR code on the art that plays the audio when scanned, which Shimga does not offer.
- A longer track record and an established checkout with a stated money-back period.
Where Shimga is a good fit
- A lower price for a single design, so a one-off gift does not cost a lot.
- A free preview so you can see the result before you pay for a download.
- Templates and guides for specific moments: wedding songs, baby heartbeats, voice messages and memorials.
- The same account also gives you the Shimga studio for beat-reactive music videos.
How to decide
If you only need one or two prints, try both previews, since both let you design before paying, and compare the results at your print size. If you make many designs a month, work out the cost per design on each plan, including the subscription options, rather than comparing headline prices. If the file will be printed very large or you need a vector PDF, check the output limits of whichever tool you choose first.
Questions
Is Shimga affiliated with WaveVisual?
No. Shimga and WaveVisual are separate, independent products. This page compares them using publicly available information.
Is Shimga cheaper than WaveVisual?
A single design is $3.99 on Shimga against $9.00 on WaveVisual as of October 2026. Shimga also has packs from $9.99 and includes 10 downloads a month with Shimga Pro. Check both sites for current prices.
Which one has more features?
WaveVisual has more: more formats, audio sources, QR codes, and video output from the same editor. Shimga is simpler, with guided occasion templates and a lower price.
Can I try Shimga without paying?
You can design and preview in your browser for free, so you see the result before paying. Downloads are paid: $3.99 per design, packs from $9.99, or 10 a month with Shimga Pro.
See the result before you decide
Add your audio and look at the waveform. It is free to try.
Open the editor