Aparillo vs SAGA Synth | 16
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
SAGA Synth | 16
This app provides a 16-bit retro video game synthesizer with over 350 presets. It allows for the creation of expressive pads, sound effects, drums, and leads, and can be used as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin. Record and export your creations as WAV files.
- 16-bit retro video game synth
- Over 350+ presets
- Standalone app & AUv3 plugin
- Step sequencer
- Audio recording and export
- MIDI keyboard support
- Ableton Link
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"SAGA SYNTH IS THE MOST FUN MUSIC APP ON THE PLANET!" – The GarageBand Guide SAGA Synth is a super-fun retro 16-bit video game synth More than chiptunes, you can use this synth for amazing and expressive pads, sound fx, drums, leads, and more! Make your music stand out with real 16-bit retro video game power. Created from 5 different vintage hardware YM2616 sound chips for the greatest collection of 16-bit sounds ever produced. We put lots of love into making this app. Ready Player One? Press a Key to take your music to the next level! REQUIRES iOS 14 and ABOVE! Thank you. :) Includes over 350+ Presets by MobyPixel, Electronisounds, Red Sky Lullaby, Gavinski, The GarageBand Guide, DJ Puzzle, The Audio Dabbler, Sound of Izrael, Marc Hupkens, AnalogMatthew, Brian Funk, Shazaam the Producer and more. Features custom-created sounds for this app, made from vintage retro gaming hardware. Learn More & Watch Videos: audiokitpro.com/sagasynth SAGA SYNTH is available only on iOS and iPadOS. FEATURES: • Standalone app & iOS AUv3 Plugin • Over 350+ presets to inspire you • Fun free-running step sequencer • Exclusive sound sources made for this app • New, more stable AudioKit code • 16-bit Synth, Drum, and Sound FX sounds included • Over 600+ Mb of sounds compressed to under 150 Mb • Audio recording, record your sounds then export wav files! No other apps needed • Use as an iOS Plug-in in hosts like GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Beatmaker 3, and more • Use with MIDI keyboard or iOS MIDI host • Ableton Link SAGA Synth is the first of the next generation of AudioKit Pro apps, written from the ground up with a focus on playability and amazing sound. We've added rock-solid sequencer timing, improved AUv3 support, easy standalone recording, and much more. It's created with lots of love. + iPhone & iPad versions included for one low price ++ BONUS: Includes sounds from the best-selling Ableton 16-Bit Video Game sound packs by Brian Funk. For the first time on iOS! More Info: www.audiokitpro.com/sagasynth ### AudioKit is an open-source project intended to bring joy and music to people, and enlighten people on how to build custom instruments and iOS apps. All product names, images, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners, including SEGA Corporation, Yamaha Corporation, Twisted Electrons, MEGAfm, Genesis, MegaDrive, and others, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, Brian Funk, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Product names are used solely for the purpose of identifying specific products related to hardware, synthesizers, sampling, sound design, and music-making. Use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement, including SEGA Corporation, Yamaha Corporation, Twisted Electrons, MEGAfm, Genesis, MegaDrive, and others. We thank them for their incredible hardware and instruments.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Aparillo at Free against SAGA Synth | 16's $3.99. SAGA Synth | 16's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
Aparillo is free to download; SAGA Synth | 16 costs $3.99 up front. Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SAGA Synth | 16 asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Aparillo against 4.9 for SAGA Synth | 16. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 507 and 446 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 89% and 89% positive.
Aparillo ships an update every 4 months, SAGA Synth | 16 monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Aparillo | SAGA Synth | 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (507 ratings) | 4.9 (446 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 88.6% of reviews | 89.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 507 — better | 446 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #200 — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 14.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 121 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sugar Bytes GmbH | AudioKit Pro |
Customer experience
Aparillo
SAGA Synth | 16
User reviews
Aparillo
From 507 App Store ratingsWhat 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
SAGA Synth | 16
From 446 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎶 Awesome retro sounds
- 👍 Great creation methods
- 🎨 Versatile and fun
- 🎨 More than just game sounds
- 👍 Tons of presets
Room to improve
- 🐛 Midi not working properly
- 🐛 Sequencer issues with recording
- 🐛 Keyboard issues and bugs
- 🐛 Crashes and stability problems
- 🤔 Not true 16-bit emulation
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
SAGA Synth | 16
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashes when too many favorites
- Overlapping UI elements on phones
Requested features
3 requests- Export to Famitone music file
- macOS version
- Improved quantization
In-app purchases
Aparillo
- Aparillo Full Version$24.99
SAGA Synth | 16
No in-app purchases









