Comparison

BeatMaker 3 vs Aparillo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

BeatMaker 3

This music production studio offers an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation, combining desktop software power with hardware efficiency. Create, perform, and record your musical ideas with advanced sampling, sequencing, and mixing tools. Integrate external apps and export your finished tracks.

Highlights
  • Streamlined performance and recording workflow
  • Advanced sampling engine with live stretching
  • Classic timeline and flexible scene-based sequencing
  • Full-fledged mixer with multi-channel routing
  • AUv3 and IAA app integration
  • Inspirational sound library and export options
Read full description

▸ REDEFINING MUSIC PRODUCTION BeatMaker brings unmatched efficiency and depth in an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation. Look no further, the power of traditional desktop software and real hardware is now united into one single production studio. ▸ PLAY • PERFORM • RECORD Its streamlined workflow lets you perform and shape your ideas quickly and effectively, turning your instruments into full productions. Inspirational performance tools such as repeat, roll, swing, key scales & chords and macro controls will boost your creativity tenfold. Take control of it all with your MIDI gear and the new smart binding system. ▸ CRAFT YOUR OWN INSTRUMENTS 128 banks of 128 pads, where each one of them is a full-fledged instrument with multiple dimensions. Record and chop live, assemble, mangle and resample: our state of the art sampling engine will sculpt your ideas, giving life to your instruments with a full modulation and layering system. With ZPlane’s Elastique live stretch and pitch shift, adjust your loops and instruments to match the tempo or go experimental. You can even integrate your favorite synth & effect apps with full AUv3 and IAA support. ▸ PRECISE SEQUENCING The classic timeline based pattern & song editor gives all the modern sequencing features you‘d want to arrange complete tracks. Adding to this foundation, the new flexible Scene Mode opens up opportunities for remixing and live performances, looping and arranging clips in new ways. All the patterns, automations and sequencing tools are available right where you would expect. Add audio tracks to the mix, stretch them, turn your arrangements into a complete masterpiece. You can even play in sync with other software using Ableton Link. ▸ INSPIRATIONAL LIBRARY The ever growing sound store will bring premium and exclusive content to your own library. The genius of our sound designers will enhance your productions instantly, whether you’re looking for a classic 808 bass or exploring new musical genres. ▸ FULL FLEDGED MIXER Multi-channel recording & input/output routing is now a reality with the support of USB audio interfaces. Fine-tune your mix with the modern mixing board: every track, every pad has its own channel with unlimited effects and up to 8 sends. Add new depths to your sound with our palette of effects (internal or external AUv3/IAA). ▸ EXPORT AND SHARE Export your compositions and separated elements into single stems to share, re-use, re-work, re-master within a traditional studio setup Read the full specs on http://intua.net ! ▸ COMPATIBILITY - Works with 32-bits and 64-bits iPads. - Native iPad Pro support - iOS 9.3+ required - Best experience on newer models - iPhone version coming soon ▸ Documentation - Full documentation and tutorials available at http://support.intua.net

About

Aparillo

This advanced FM synthesizer is designed for creating complex, evolving soundscapes and atmospheres ideal for film, TV, and games. It offers deep sound design capabilities with two interacting synthesizers, integrated effects, and an intuitive 'mass-controller' for one-touch sound morphing. Seamlessly integrate it into your mobile studio setup with extensive MIDI and syncing options.

Highlights
  • 16-voice FM Synthesizer
  • Formant Shifting, Wave Folding & Shifting
  • Multi-Mode Filter with Spacializer
  • Orbiter for one-touch Sound Morphing
  • 500 handpicked Presets
  • Full MIDI Support
  • Preset iCloud Sync
Read full description

The Cinematic Machine Aparillo is an advanced 16 voice FM synth tailored for complex sound structures , majestic motions, moving and evolving soundscapes and atmospheres that are perfect for film, TV or games. It‘s not limited to the conventional fm sounds but also delivers a huge range of styles from basses to brasses, pads to leads to even percussion. ••• SYNTH ••• It is based on two interacting FM Synthesizers capable of forming the most complex timbres. A clever arrangement of synthesis, wave shaping, filtering, FX and modulation unfolds into a serious sound design tool for epic sonic creation. Aparillo uses many parameters that can be modulated for individual adjustments PER voice. Each of the sixteen voices interact with almost two dozen targets in a variety of ways for a continuous transformation and to create endless rhythms and melodic progressions. ••• FX ••• The integrated effects include a free-signalflow Filter/Spacial Comb device, a polyphonic Auto Pan with multiple waveforms, the obligatory Delay, our finest Reverb algorithm, and a Sugar Bytes innovation, the Spacializer. This is a very special breed of delay based effect, which can work as a delay, reverb or tuned comb filter and can add room, plucked strings or even pinged percussion to your sound. ••• ORBITER ••• The superstar of Aparillo is the Orbiter, an instinctual "mass-controller" you move through Aparillo's endless sonic universes for one-touch sound morphing. That finally gives you unlimited control over new grounds of sound manipulation. Aparillo for iPad will seamlessly integrate with your mobile studio setup. We built in MIDI support (Virtual, Network, External, Bluetooth), Audio Unit v3 and Ableton Link. Syncing your presets to use them accross other devices couldn't be easier with iCloud. Enjoy Aparillo, the more you dig into it the more you fall in love with it! Features: • Standalone & Audio Unit v3 • FM Synthesizer with 16 Voices • Formant Shifting, Wave Folding & Shifting • Multi-Mode Filter with Spacializer • Orbiter for one-touch Sound Morphing • 500 handpicked Presets • Ableton Link Support • Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Network, External, Bluetooth), MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Aparillo at Free against BeatMaker 3's $24.99. Aparillo also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 63%). BeatMaker 3's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (4.5K vs 507). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Aparillo is free to download; BeatMaker 3 costs $24.99 up front. BeatMaker 3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for BeatMaker 3 against 4.9 for Aparillo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BeatMaker 3 has 4.5K ratings behind it against 507, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of BeatMaker 3's written reviews are positive against 89% of Aparillo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BeatMaker 3 ships an update monthly, Aparillo every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
BeatMaker 3 versus Aparillo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeatMaker 3Aparillo
Price$24.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (4.5K ratings)4.9 (507 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.6% of reviews88.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.5K — better507
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size216 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINTUASugar Bytes GmbH

Customer experience

BeatMaker 3

All ratings4,459 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews470 reviews
Positive62.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative26.8%

Aparillo

All ratings507 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive88.6%
Neutral6.1%
Negative5.3%

User reviews

BeatMaker 3

From 4.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sampler
  • 🚀 Versatile DAW capabilities
  • 👍 Great for live performance
  • 👍 Excellent value for money
  • 👍 Seamless AUv3 integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 Stability issues with plugins
  • 🐛 Buggy MIDI functionality
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 👎 Confusing file management

Aparillo

From 507 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sound design capabilities
  • 👍 Intuitive and creative interface
  • 🎨 Cinematic and otherworldly sounds
  • 💡 Innovative orbit and spatial features
  • 🔥 Excellent presets and sound quality

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 🔍 Lack of clear documentation and tutorials
  • 📱 UI not optimized for larger iPad screens
  • 💰 Paid upgrade required for full functionality

Bugs and requests

BeatMaker 3

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when switching sound banks
  • MIDI keyboard disconnects on stop
  • Samples losing sync after export
  • Glitches with AUv3 plugin loading
  • Inconsistent behavior with touch controls

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to rearrange pads
  • Improved MIDI sync and control
  • More sound packs and updates
  • Custom color themes
  • Streamlined project management
Show 1 more
  • Expanded piano roll functionality

Aparillo

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Saved patches not compatible across versions
  • Orbiter parameters not accessible on latest iOS

Requested features

4 requests
  • More preset packs and sound libraries
  • Improved MIDI and automation support
  • Custom tuning and scale options
  • Expanded keyboard and note range

In-app purchases

10 purchases

BeatMaker 3

One-time10
  • Starter Pack #1: July 2017Free
  • Starter Pack #2: August 2017Free
  • ThudRumble Gigantic Balls BassFree
Show 7 more
  • Modularism$0.99
  • Aquatronika$0.99
  • Beatlab$0.99
  • Ashes II$0.99
  • INTUA 808 Science$1.99
  • MSXII The Constituent$1.99
  • MSXII The Fly Life$1.99
1 purchases

Aparillo

One-time1
  • Aparillo Full Version$24.99

Questions

Is BeatMaker 3 free?
BeatMaker 3 costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Aparillo free?
Aparillo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BeatMaker 3 or Aparillo?
Aparillo is rated higher. BeatMaker 3 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.5K ratings, while Aparillo averages 4.9 from 507 ratings.
Do BeatMaker 3 or Aparillo have ads?
Neither BeatMaker 3 nor Aparillo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BeatMaker 3 or Aparillo?
BeatMaker 3 ships an update monthly, and Aparillo every 4 months. Most recently, BeatMaker 3 was updated on November 2, 2026 and Aparillo on November 2, 2026.

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