Comparison

bFaaaP Pro & Switch vs Violibration

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — 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 — 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" — non-destructive, no bolting — 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 — including wheelchair users and players with limited leg mobility — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — visit bfaaap.com to learn how they are built and how to take part.

About

Violibration

Explore a variety of responsive haptic surfaces by dragging your finger across the screen. Adjust intensity and sensitivity to customize your tactile experience. Unlock additional surface families or the full library with a single purchase.

Highlights
  • Responsive haptic surfaces
  • Five surface families
  • Adjustable intensity and sensitivity
  • Visual mode for non-haptic devices
  • Unlockable surface library
Features
Read full description

Violibration turns touch into tactile exploration. Drag across the screen to feel responsive haptic surfaces such as velvet, sand, water, vinyl and static. Browse five surface families: Soft, Granular, Fluid, Mechanical and Magnetic. Tune intensity and sensitivity while each texture reacts to speed, curves and reversals. Try locked surfaces with quick previews, unlock a favourite family, or unlock the full tactile library with one purchase. Designed for iPhone haptics, with a visual mode for devices where live haptics are unavailable.

Screenshots

bFaaaP Pro & Switch4 screens
Violibration4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: bFaaaP Pro & Switch at none against Violibration's 6. Violibration's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 20 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Violibration sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. bFaaaP Pro & Switch asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, Violibration monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
bFaaaP Pro & Switch versus Violibration: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterbFaaaP Pro & SwitchViolibration
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.5 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTomoyuki ShishidoThomas Richardson

In-app purchases

None

bFaaaP Pro & Switch

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Violibration

One-time6
  • Soft Surfaces$0.99
  • Magnetic Surfaces$0.99
  • Fluid Surfaces$0.99
Show 3 more
  • Granular Surfaces$0.99
  • Mechanical Surfaces$0.99
  • Unlock All Surfaces$3.99

Questions

Is bFaaaP Pro & Switch free?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Violibration free?
Violibration is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do bFaaaP Pro & Switch or Violibration have ads?
Neither bFaaaP Pro & Switch nor Violibration shows ads.
Which is updated more often, bFaaaP Pro & Switch or Violibration?
bFaaaP Pro & Switch ships an update every 20 months, and Violibration monthly. Most recently, bFaaaP Pro & Switch was updated on October 21, 2026 and Violibration on October 10, 2026.

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