A comparative study of process energetics is carried out for two loading schemes being used in ultrasonic impact treatment of materials, namely, a single-pin normal impacting mode and a multipin sliding/shearing impacting mode involving a low-frequency reciprocating motion of the sample. The maximum kinetic energy (or velocity) and frequency of stochastic oscillations of pins are measured experimentally for both loading modes at ultrasonic horn amplitudes varying in the range from 16 µm to 28 µm. Accordingly, a number of impact parameters such as impact time, maximum impact force, maximum impact stress, energy density and power density injected per impact in the contact area, total energy and power densities deposited in the sample (ZrTiNb alloy in this case) during treatment time are assessed. Variation of these impact characteristics is considered for both modes as a function of the ultrasonic horn amplitude, number of pins in the impact head (in sliding mode), pins’ dimensions and material of the sample. The effect of amplitude and frequency of reciprocating sample holder in sliding impact mode on the total energy density deposited across the sample surface is analysed. The evaluated parameters are expected to be helpful in understanding the impact treatment-induced changes in physicochemical characteristics of various materials.