# Synth vs Aparillo

The clearest difference is price: Aparillo at Free against Synth's $0.99. Aparillo also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (506 vs 20). Synth's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Aparillo is free to download; Synth costs $0.99 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Aparillo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aparillo has 506 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Synth's written reviews are positive against 89% of Aparillo's.

Synth ships an update every 6 months, Aparillo every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synth | Aparillo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.1 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth/id364905862/reviews) | **[4.9 (506 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aparillo/id1439914019/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **506** |
| Positive reviews | 71.6% of reviews | **88.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Retronyms Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/307726643) | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) |

## What reviewers say

### Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth/id364905862)

This app is a polyphonic synthesizer for iPad, allowing users to create unique sounds. It offers professional control and sound design capabilities, and can be integrated with other music production tools.

**Highlights:** Polyphonic synthesis, Microphone sound creation, Parameter editor (in-app purchase), Tabletop integration, Mod wheel, Pitch-bend wheel, Adjustable delay and distortion

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Editor | $0.99 | one-time |
| Synth Skin Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great synth with lots of settings and options
- 🎨 Awesome retro/vintage sounds
- 💡 Useful for creating sound effects
- 🎹 Simple and easy to use keyboard

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No MIDI support
- 🔌 Not compatible with other apps like Tabletop
- 🔒 Lacks advanced features like ADSR, filters, LFO
- 🔇 No recording or export functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Pitch bend control reverts back to default
- Occasional crashes or freezes

**Requested features**

- Add MIDI support
- Integrate with Tabletop and other music apps
- Implement ADSR, filters, LFO, and other synthesis controls
- Add recording and export capabilities


### Aparillo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aparillo/id1439914019)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aparillo Full Version | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful sound design capabilities
- 👍 Intuitive and creative interface
- 🎨 Cinematic and otherworldly sounds
- 💡 Innovative orbit and spatial features
- 🔥 Excellent presets and sound quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Lack of clear documentation and tutorials
- 📱 UI not optimized for larger iPad screens
- 💰 Paid upgrade required for full functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Saved patches not compatible across versions
- Orbiter parameters not accessible on latest iOS

**Requested features**

- More preset packs and sound libraries
- Improved MIDI and automation support
- Custom tuning and scale options
- Expanded keyboard and note range


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Synth free?

Synth costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Aparillo free?

Aparillo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Synth or Aparillo?

Aparillo is rated higher. Synth averages 3.1 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Aparillo averages 4.9 from 506 ratings.

### Do Synth or Aparillo have ads?

Neither Synth nor Aparillo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Synth or Aparillo?

Synth ships an update every 6 months, and Aparillo every 4 months. Most recently, Synth was updated on October 4, 2026 and Aparillo on October 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*