Comparison

bFaaaP Pro & Switch vs Harmonic Explorer

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

Head to head
About

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

This app works with a special device to allow individuals with leg disabilities, young children, and the elderly to play the piano with sustained tones using head movements. An iOS device detects head motion and transmits signals to activate an electric piano pedal.

Highlights
  • Head motion detection via iOS device
  • Sustained piano tones without foot pedal
  • Electric piano pedal activation
  • Accessibility for leg disabilities
  • User-friendly setup guide
Features
Read full description

bFaaaP Pro & Switch turns head movements into piano sustain-pedal control, so you can play the pedal completely foot-free. It is the companion app for the bFaaaP barrier-free assist pedals โ€” one app that drives two devices, depending on your instrument: - bFaaaP Pro (acoustic pianos): a motorized device that physically presses the real sustain pedal. It anchors with an inflatable "airback" โ€” non-destructive, no bolting โ€” and self-calibrates. - bFaaaP Switch (digital pianos): switches the sustain electronically through the pedal jack. Small, light and motor-free. Using the front camera, the app detects the angle of your head and converts it into pedal ON/OFF signals, sent over Bluetooth Low Energy to the bFaaaP device on your instrument. The same head-angle control works for both devices. This lets people who cannot use a foot pedal โ€” including wheelchair users and players with limited leg mobility โ€” enjoy expressive, pedal-based performance. WHO IT IS FOR - Pianists who cannot operate a foot pedal - Music therapy, special-needs and inclusive music education - Anyone exploring accessible, barrier-free music making HOW IT WORKS - Detects head angle with the front TrueDepth camera (ARKit face tracking) - Converts the angle into sustain pedal ON/OFF - Sends the signal over Bluetooth Low Energy to bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch PRIVACY - The camera is used ONLY to read your head/face angle. - That value is processed on-device, used to generate the pedal signal, then discarded. - No face data, image or video is stored or shared with anyone. AN OPEN-SOURCE PROJECT bFaaaP is an open-source, open-hardware barrier-free project by Shishido & Associates. The source code, hardware build details, the story behind it, and ways to contribute are public: - Project & community: https://bfaaap.com - Source code (open source): https://github.com/bfaaap/bfaaap_opensource - Developer & related services: https://saaipf.com SEE IT IN ACTION Watch bFaaaP being played in real concerts and recitals, with setup and how-to guides: - How the system works (overview): https://youtu.be/iyRqPa8TLgE - Live concert โ€” grand piano + bFaaaP Pro: https://youtu.be/V3cXeNW9jXY - How to use bFaaaP Switch (electronic piano): https://youtu.be/XOVENtBsOp4 - Full performance & demo collection (English): https://saaipf.com/en/bfaaap/#videos - Build & set up your own โ€” step-by-step guide (English): https://bfaaap.com/en/build/ - All videos (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAvTy1k8rHs2WrEKPx1amg The app's source code is open and free on GitHub, so anyone can build and run it themselves. This App Store version is free, too โ€” just install it and start playing. If you would like to help keep bFaaaP free and open for everyone, donations and support are always welcome (see the links above and at saaipf.com). Thank you for your support. You will need a bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch device to control a real pedal. Both are open hardware โ€” visit bfaaap.com to learn how they are built and how to take part.

About

Harmonic Explorer

Features
Read full description

Harmonic Explorer is a unique musical instrument built for sonic discovery. Tap into a grid of harmonic tones, pan across four octaves, and sculpt sound with layered controls that invite both casual play and deep experimentation. From soft, violin-like purity to rich metallic textures and spatial choruses, Harmonic Explorer offers a wide expressive range. Adjust harmonic gains, spread tones into lush chords, or reduce everything down to a single precise frequency. Key Features: - Intuitive multi-touch interface with four full octaves - Portrait and Landscape mode fully supported - Harmonic tone generation with per-voice amplitude control - Dynamic chord spread control โ€” from single tones to shimmering triads - Built-in reverb with selectable acoustic spaces (from Room to Cathedral) - Randomize and Reset for playful experimentation or clean slates - Route Picker to send audio directly to Bluetooth or external devices - Designed for real-time performance and sound exploration - Fully offline โ€” no ads, no tracking, no accounts, no interruptions Whether you're a composer looking for new inspiration, a student learning sound design, or just curious about the nature of harmonic structure, Harmonic Explorer offers a fresh way to hear and shape music. Sculpt tones. Discover timbres. Explore harmonics.

Screenshots

bFaaaP Pro & Switch4 screens
Harmonic Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: bFaaaP Pro & Switch at Free against Harmonic Explorer's $0.99. Harmonic Explorer's advantage is update cadence (every 7 months vs every 20 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download; Harmonic Explorer costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, Harmonic Explorer every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 5 level
bFaaaP Pro & Switch versus Harmonic Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterbFaaaP Pro & SwitchHarmonic Explorer
PriceFree โ€” better$0.99
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 7 months โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.5 โ€” better15.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size1 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTomoyuki ShishidoPhilippe Zay

In-app purchases

None

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

No in-app purchases

None

Harmonic Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is bFaaaP Pro & Switch free?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Harmonic Explorer free?
Harmonic Explorer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do bFaaaP Pro & Switch or Harmonic Explorer have ads?
Neither bFaaaP Pro & Switch nor Harmonic Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, bFaaaP Pro & Switch or Harmonic Explorer?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, and Harmonic Explorer every 7 months. Most recently, bFaaaP Pro & Switch was updated on October 4, 2026 and Harmonic Explorer on September 21, 2026.

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