# Viking Synth vs Aparillo

The clearest difference is price: Aparillo at Free against Viking Synth's $3.99. Aparillo also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 69%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). Viking Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Aparillo is free to download; Viking Synth costs $3.99 up front. Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Viking Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

Aparillo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aparillo has 506 ratings behind it against 42, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Viking Synth's written reviews are positive against 88% of Aparillo's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Viking Synth | Aparillo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.7 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-synth/id1085274012/reviews) | **[4.9 (506 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aparillo/id1439914019/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 42 | **506** |
| Positive reviews | 69.4% of reviews | **88.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 11 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blamsoft, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1051938244) | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) |

## What reviewers say

### Viking Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-synth/id1085274012)

This app emulates a classic monophonic analog synthesizer with advanced DSP technology. It features three variable wave oscillators, dual ladder filters, an LFO, and two modulation busses for versatile sound design.  An intuitive interface and extensive preset library make it ideal for creating thick bass and rich lead sounds.

**Highlights:** Three continuously variable wave oscillators, Dual ladder filters (Lowpass/Highpass), Multi-wave LFO, Two modulation busses, Intuitive user interface with expandable controls, 228 presets including Bass, Lead, and Synthwave, State-of-the-art DSP for authentic sound

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Great sound quality
- 💡 Versatile sound options
- 💰 Excellent value (free)
- 💻 Lightweight and efficient
- 🎹 Good for learning synthesis

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❓ Preset issues
- 🔌 Not a standalone app
- 🐛 Occasional crashes
- 💾 Settings not saving
- 🤷‍♂️ Difficult to find/use

**Reported bugs**

- Presets not showing up
- Presets disappear
- App not showing in AUv3 menu
- Settings not saving after iOS 14 update
- Crashes when opening presets browser

**Requested features**

- More subtle drive mode
- Categorized preset browser
- Polyphony option
- Dark mode
- More apps from developer


### Aparillo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aparillo/id1439914019)

This advanced FM synthesizer creates complex soundscapes, atmospheres, and a wide range of timbres for film, TV, and games. It features two interacting FM synths, integrated effects, and an intuitive 'Orbiter' for one-touch sound morphing. Seamlessly integrate with your mobile studio setup via MIDI and Audio Unit v3 support.

**Highlights:** 16-voice FM Synthesizer, Complex sound design, Integrated FX (Filter, Delay, Reverb, Spacializer), Orbiter for sound morphing, Standalone & Audio Unit v3 support, MIDI and Ableton Link integration, iCloud Preset Sync

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aparillo Full Version | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Saved patches not compatible across versions
- Orbiter parameters not accessible on latest iOS

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Viking Synth free?

Viking Synth costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Aparillo free?

Aparillo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Viking Synth or Aparillo?

Aparillo is rated higher. Viking Synth averages 4.7 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Aparillo averages 4.9 from 506 ratings.

### Do Viking Synth or Aparillo have ads?

Neither Viking Synth nor Aparillo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Viking Synth or Aparillo?

Viking Synth ships an update every 4 months, and Aparillo every 4 months. Most recently, Viking Synth was updated on September 23, 2026 and Aparillo on September 17, 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.*