Comparison

Perforator vs Radio Unit

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

Head to head
About

Perforator

This app is a rhythmic gating audio effect that creatively manipulates incoming audio to generate rhythmic patterns. It offers two gating mechanisms, including an AMP EG gate and a low-pass filter, to achieve various sound effects.

Highlights
  • Rhythmic gating audio effect
  • AMP EG gate and low-pass filter
  • Syncs with project tempo
  • Independent left/right channel editing
  • Built-in preset manager
  • AU MIDI output
Features
Read full description

*** Note: Perforator is an AUv3 Audio Unit plugin; which requires an AUv3 compatible host app, such as Garageband, Cubasis, BM3 or AUM *** Perforator is a rhythmic gating audio effect: it will creatively snip, cut, gap and filter incoming audio to create rhythmic patterns out of sustained sounds. By tuning the slice envelopes you can create anything from classic staccato "trance gate" sounds to emulations of sloppy pumping sidechain compression. Two gating mechanisms can be dialled in: an AMP EG gate (the traditional way of gating) and a 12dB/Oct lowpass filter which will rapidly carve away high frequencies from your sound to effectively silence them. - AUv3 Audio Effect, works in all AU compatible hosts - automatically syncs with your project's tempo - edit Left an Right channel independently - built-in preset manager with a ton of factory presets - all AU Parameters exposed for host automation - user manual available on ruismaker.com - Universal: works on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch - Bonus Feature: AU MIDI output* * AU MIDI: both envelopes (L+R) can send their values out as MIDI CC messages to mimic 'parameter lock' messages in other plugins/apps. Note: this feature requires iOS11+ and a host compatible with AU MIDI from effects.

About

Radio Unit

Stream over 35,000 internet radio stations with this app. Enhance your audio experience by using it as an AUv3 plugin with other compatible music apps. Discover new music and save your favorites.

Highlights
  • Access 35,000+ radio stations
  • Enhance audio with AUv3 plugins
  • Intuitive interface
  • Song discovery and saving
  • Favorites sync across devices
  • MIDI control for AUv3 plugin
Read full description

Discover a world of music with Radio Unit, a sleek and powerful Internet radio player with a built-in Audio Unit (AUv3) plugin.  Elevate your listening experience by enhancing streaming audio in real time using your favorite third-party audio processing plugins (not included) within AUv3-compatible hosts like Drambo or GarageBand. Features: • Intuitive Interface: Enjoy a clean, user-friendly design for effortless navigation. • Song Discovery: Tap to add the currently playing song to your favorites, then open it in the Apple Music app or search for it on Google. • Massive Station Library: Access over 35,000 radio stations—search by name, browse by genre or location, and sort by popularity. • Favorites Sync: Save stations and songs to your favorites list, seamlessly synced across your devices. • AUv3 Integration: Use Radio Unit as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin in hosts like Drambo, GarageBand, and more, with support for multiple plugin instances. • MIDI Mapping: Control buttons can be triggered by MIDI Note events (C3 to F3). (AUv3 only) • Battery Efficient: Stream music without draining your device. The app requires internet connection.

Screenshots

Perforator3 screens
Radio Unit2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Perforator at 5.0 against Radio Unit's 4.6. Perforator also leads on price ($3.99 vs $6.99) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.6). Radio Unit's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Perforator costs $3.99 and Radio Unit $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Perforator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 59 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Perforator's written reviews are positive against 81% of Radio Unit's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Perforator ships an update every 6 months, Radio Unit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Perforator versus Radio Unit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPerforatorRadio Unit
Price$3.99 — better$6.99
Rating5.0 (47 ratings) — better4.6 (59 ratings)
Positive reviews86.7% of reviews — better81.5% of reviews
Number of ratings4759 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosBeepStreet

Customer experience

Perforator

All ratings47 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive86.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative6.7%

Radio Unit

All ratings59 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral9.3%
Negative9.3%

Bugs and requests

Perforator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Radio Unit

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Cannot remove recognized songs
  • Cannot remove favorite saved songs (Mac)
  • Last update ruined experience with loading times and connection issues
  • Sadé channel frequently disconnects
  • Some stations don’t connect at all
Show 12 more
  • Cannot see song title/artist
  • Seamless integration with GarageBand and Logic Pro doesn't work
  • Cannot change station with MIDI, LFOs etc. after update
  • Cubasis 3 can’t find app
  • BBC streams no longer play
  • Cannot edit user slots after adding of link
  • Links not working
  • Cannot add user slots ('see the developer to unlock slots')
  • Adding stations near impossible
  • Failed URL slot flashes red and is inaccessible
  • Cannot paste other URLs
  • Cannot record and sample the feed into DAW

Requested features

13 requests
  • Option to remove or filter hostile nations
  • Add more stations (Golha radio, IRIB radio)
  • Ability to organize, tag, and edit stream specifications
  • Ability to use with CarPlay
  • Pitch slider within the app to slow down radio in real time
Show 8 more
  • More user presets/slots
  • iCloud sync for recently played stations and discovered pieces
  • Ability to change station with MIDI, LFOs etc. (post-update issue)
  • More exposed parameters for tweaking
  • Greater resources for slots (folders/sections)
  • Import/export presets list
  • Assign MIDI CC to volume knob and channel switch buttons
  • Support for streams in OGG container format

In-app purchases

None

Perforator

No in-app purchases

None

Radio Unit

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Perforator free?
Perforator costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Radio Unit free?
Radio Unit costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Perforator or Radio Unit?
Perforator is rated higher. Perforator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while Radio Unit averages 4.6 from 59 ratings.
Do Perforator or Radio Unit have ads?
Neither Perforator nor Radio Unit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Perforator or Radio Unit?
Perforator ships an update every 6 months, and Radio Unit every 2 months. Most recently, Perforator was updated on October 13, 2026 and Radio Unit on October 15, 2026.

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