Comparison

Aparillo vs SynthShred

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

Head to head
About

Aparillo

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
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

About

SynthShred

This app is a virtual musical instrument offering a vast library of sound presets, including pianos, guitars, and synths. It provides customizable guitar tunings and a selection of musical scales with root key adjustments for easier playing. Enjoy expressive sound shaping with built-in effects and multiple playing modes.

Highlights
  • 139 sound presets
  • 29 guitar tuning presets
  • 14 musical scales
  • Diatonic surface option
  • Monophonic and Polyphonic Mode
  • Reverb and Echo effects
Read full description

SynthShred is musical instrument containing 139 sound presets including piano, guitars, ethnic instruments, chromatic percussions, strings, pipes, synth pads, reed instruments, brass, organs, ensemble, bass, synth leads and many more. SynthShred comes with 29 guitar tuning presets including standard guitar, all fourths, drop tunings, open tunings, major minor tunings and many more. SynthShred also contains 14 mostly used musical scales including Major, Minor, Harmonic Minor, Pentatonic and many more. SynthShred provides the ability to change the root key for the the selected scale to be in the key every time. The diatonic surface option will remove the notes from the surface that are not part of the scale. It's easier for the player to be in key. SynthShred features includes: - Expressive physical guitar surface - Monophonic and Polyphonic Mode - Diatonic surface - Adjustable string and fret counts - 139 sound presets - 29 unique guitar tuning presets - 14 commonly used scales - Modulation slider - On screen Reverb and Echo effects controls - Sustain button for acoustic instruments Available for iPhone, iPad and iPods for free. Minimum Requirements: iOS 9.0 or later.

Screenshots

SynthShred4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Aparillo at 4.9 against SynthShred's 4.4. Aparillo also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 55%). SynthShred's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SynthShred 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

Aparillo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 507 and 205 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Aparillo's written reviews are positive against 55% of SynthShred's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aparillo ships an update every 4 months, SynthShred every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Aparillo versus SynthShred: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAparilloSynthShred
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (507 ratings) — better4.4 (205 ratings)
Positive reviews88.6% of reviews — better54.7% of reviews
Number of ratings507 — better205
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.69.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB141 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHYugal Sharma

Customer experience

Aparillo

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

SynthShred

All ratings205 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral6.8%
Negative8.8%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive54.7%
Neutral7.5%
Negative37.7%

User reviews

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

SynthShred

From 205 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Incredible app for musical exploration
  • 🎶 Great tool for learning and making music
  • 👍 Smooth and soft playing
  • 🎵 Best music appreciation
  • 💡 Underrated app with good sounds

Room to improve

  • 👎 No in-app purchases
  • 🔇 Sound muted in the app
  • 💸 Shameful theft/knock-off
  • 🚫 Logic for iPad issue (AUv3 not working)
  • 📉 Limited usefulness without AUv3/IAA

Bugs and requests

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

SynthShred

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Sound is muted only in this app
  • Doesn't show up as available audio unit in Logic/GarageBand
  • Notes not sliding on the pad, sound individual notes
  • Issue with sustain option: some instrument notes never stop
  • Pop up to go pro comes up every minute
Show 6 more
  • No sound at all
  • Bug where trying an instrument makes the app stop making any sounds
  • Bug where some notes randomly sound modulated with pitch shift / vibrato
  • When a “Try Free” option is chosen for a patch the entire app goes silent
  • Asked for payment again after uninstalling and reinstalling
  • No restore purchase button

Requested features

20 requests
  • Add MIDI support
  • Add AUv3 support
  • Add IAA support
  • Add sliding option
  • Add velocity touch sensitivity
Show 15 more
  • Add pitch bend function
  • Add legato types
  • Add transpose button
  • Add dual tune mode
  • Add record option to wav
  • Add simple metronome with tempo
  • Improve slide feature smoothness
  • Improve mid wheel effect
  • Add chords/notes option
  • Add auto accompaniment & sound mixing
  • Add recording
  • Add manual, tutorial & support
  • Add feature to change note name font
  • Make a simpler version for iOS 8 & later
  • Add fretless patches to pro version

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Aparillo

One-time1
  • Aparillo Full Version$24.99
1 purchases

SynthShred

One-time1
  • Full Upgrade to SynthShred Pro$3.99

Questions

Is Aparillo free?
Aparillo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SynthShred free?
SynthShred is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aparillo or SynthShred?
Aparillo is rated higher. Aparillo averages 4.9 out of 5 from 507 ratings, while SynthShred averages 4.4 from 205 ratings.
Do Aparillo or SynthShred have ads?
Neither Aparillo nor SynthShred shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aparillo or SynthShred?
Aparillo ships an update every 4 months, and SynthShred every 4 days. Most recently, Aparillo was updated on October 21, 2026 and SynthShred on October 20, 2026.

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