Comparison

Aparillo vs Overdrive Synth

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

Overdrive Synth

Explore unique synth sounds processed through classic guitar overdrive pedals. This app offers professionally recorded samples with multiple keyboard layouts and AUv3/MIDI support. Unlock over 100 additional instruments to expand your sonic palette.

Highlights
  • Vintage synths re-amped through guitar pedals
  • Multiple keyboard layouts
  • AUv3 and MIDI support
  • Professionally recorded samples
  • Expandable instrument library via IAP
Features
Read full description

What does a synthesizer sound like through an overdrive pedal? To answer this great mystery, I visited NightSound Studio to re-amp a plethora of synth tones through various classic guitar pedals. The results are now available for your ears in Overdrive Synth! FEATURES: • Vintage Synths Re-amped Through Guitar Pedals • 3 Keyboard Layouts (Piano, Guitar & Scaled) • AUv3 & MIDI Support • Professionally Recorded Samples • 10 Instruments (+100 more with IAP) • Proudly Built With AudioKit The app comes with 10 default instruments, and If you like the starting sounds, unlock the full version (+100 instruments) and become a turbo-powered crunch synth master! I'm also EXTREMELY excited to bring you the full video development story on how this app was made! If you're curious to see what all went into making this app including the recording process, follow the behind-the-scenes link in the app! Special thanks to Nightsound Studios where the samples were recorded, AudioKit for providing the tools to build this app, the amazing open source synth community, and you for supporting indie developers. Thank You & Enjoy! Nick Culbertson MobyPixel.com

Screenshots

Overdrive Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Overdrive Synth at monthly against Aparillo's every 4 months. Overdrive Synth also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). Aparillo's advantage is ratings volume (506 vs 34) and review sentiment (89% vs 79%). On price, rating, 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 Overdrive Synth 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 — 4.9 for Aparillo against 4.9 for Overdrive Synth. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aparillo has 506 ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Aparillo's written reviews are positive against 79% of Overdrive Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aparillo ships an update every 4 months, Overdrive Synth monthly. Both last shipped on October 9, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Aparillo versus Overdrive Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAparilloOverdrive Synth
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (506 ratings)4.9 (34 ratings)
Positive reviews88.6% of reviews — better79.2% of reviews
Number of ratings506 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB247 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHMoby Pixel

Customer experience

Aparillo

All ratings506 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive88.6%
Neutral6.1%
Negative5.3%

Overdrive Synth

All ratings34 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral12.5%
Negative8.3%

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

Overdrive Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Aparillo

One-time1
  • Aparillo Full Version$24.99
1 purchases

Overdrive Synth

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Version$4.99

Questions

Is Aparillo free?
Aparillo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Overdrive Synth free?
Overdrive Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aparillo or Overdrive Synth?
Aparillo and Overdrive Synth are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 506 and 34 ratings respectively.
Do Aparillo or Overdrive Synth have ads?
Neither Aparillo nor Overdrive Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aparillo or Overdrive Synth?
Aparillo ships an update every 4 months, and Overdrive Synth monthly. Most recently, Aparillo was updated on October 9, 2026 and Overdrive Synth on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons