Comparison

Etherpad vs Aria

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

Head to head
About

Etherpad

Create evolving soundscapes and ambient textures with an intuitive touch-based music synthesizer. Explore generative music without needing music theory, perfect for relaxation or creative expression.

Highlights
  • Multi-touch synthesis
  • Multiple sound presets
  • Visual particle effects
  • Effect overlays
  • Scale selection
  • Landscape & portrait modes
  • Low-latency audio
Features
Read full description

Etherpad is an expressive touch-based music synthesis instrument for iPhone, iPad and your Mac. Sweep your fingers across the screen to create evolving soundscapes, ambient drones, and generative textures. (AUv3 Beta support) Powered by the legendary Csound audio engine, Etherpad turns your device into a portable synthesizer that responds to every touch with rich, organic sound. No music theory required — just touch, listen, and explore. KEY FEATURES • Multi-touch synthesis — Each finger controls pitch and timbre independently • Distinct Soundscapes — Switch between evolving pad sounds and textures • Reactive Visuals — ripples, trails, rings, and column glow respond to every touch • 14 evolving sounds — from lush pads to Glass Choir, PWM Pad, and Morphwave • Advanced Scales & Tuning — Break out of standard keys and explore the Bohlen-Pierce scale, overtone series, pentatonics, and more • Jam Sessions — Load your own audio tracks directly into the app and play along with your creative flow • MIDI 2.0 — per-note expression and full MIDI support for connected controllers (Beta) • AUv3 plug-in — play Etherpad inside Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other hosts (Beta) • Ultra Low-latency audio — Built on Csound, the industry-standard audio engine PERFECT FOR • Ambient and drone musicians • Meditation and relaxation • Beginners exploring sound synthesis • Live performers and improvisers • Sound designers and experimental composers • Anyone curious about generative music Website: https://etherpad.app Touch the surface. Hear the universe.

About

Aria

Create, edit, and play back musical scores on your iPhone or iPad. This app supports MuseScore and MusicXML files, offering intuitive touch controls for note entry and playback. Organize your library, manage parts, and export your compositions in various formats.

Highlights
  • Edit MuseScore and MusicXML files
  • Intuitive touch-based notation controls
  • Score playback
  • Library organization
  • Part management
  • Export in multiple formats (MSCZ, PDF, MusicXML, audio)
Features
Read full description

Aria is a notation editor for iPhone and iPad that lets you create, edit, and play back MuseScore files on the go. Open existing MuseScore and MusicXML files, make changes with intuitive touch-based notation controls, play back your score, organize your library, manage individual parts, and export your music when you’re ready to share. Built for musicians who want a lightweight, mobile-friendly way to review, create, and revise scores wherever they are. Features: * Open MSCZ and MusicXML score files * Create new scores from templates * Edit and enter notes with touch controls, Apple Pencil, or a MIDI controller * Play back scores locally * View and manage individual parts * Export and share your work as MSCZ, PDF, MusicXML, audio, and more. Aria is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by MuseScore, Muse Group, or any related project. Aria is open-source software licensed under the GNU GPLv3. Source code, license notices, and build instructions are available here: https://github.com/hdi200/aria

Screenshots

Etherpad4 screens
Aria4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Etherpad at none against Aria's 1. Etherpad also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 88%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Aria sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Etherpad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Etherpad against 4.8 for Aria. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 31 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Etherpad's written reviews are positive against 88% of Aria's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Etherpad ships an update every 3 days, Aria every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Etherpad versus Aria: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEtherpadAria
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (21 ratings) — better4.8 (31 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings2131 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB279 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDinesh YadavJack Gruber

Customer experience

Etherpad

All ratings21 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Aria

All ratings31 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Etherpad

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Aria

One-time1
  • Aria Full Access$9.99

Questions

Is Etherpad free?
Etherpad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aria free?
Aria is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Etherpad or Aria?
Etherpad is rated higher. Etherpad averages 4.9 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Aria averages 4.8 from 31 ratings.
Do Etherpad or Aria have ads?
Neither Etherpad nor Aria shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Etherpad or Aria?
Etherpad ships an update every 3 days, and Aria every 4 days. Most recently, Etherpad was updated on October 31, 2026 and Aria on November 5, 2026.

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