Comparison

PhonoPaper vs Aparillo

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

Head to head
About

PhonoPaper

This app decodes images containing encoded sound, allowing you to play back audio embedded within visual patterns. You can also record your own sounds and convert them into these unique visual codes. It's designed for creative audio messaging and artistic expression.

Highlights
  • Decode images with encoded sound
  • Create sound codes from recordings
  • Offline decoding capability
  • Analogue code for distortion resilience
  • Real-time, hand-controlled playback
  • Draw codes for unique sounds
Features
Read full description

PhonoPaper is a camera app for playing pictures with encoded sound (PhonoPaper-codes). With this app, you can also create your own codes: 10 seconds of sound can be recorded from a microphone and converted into an image. [ Key features ] * PhonoPaper does not require access to the network for decoding; * PhonoPaper code is analogue, so it is not so sensitive to different types of the image distortion (bad camera, dark picture, wrinkled paper, etc.); at least you will hear the "silhouette" of the original sound; * code can be played in real-time with hand-controlled speed and direction; * code can be drawn by hand to get some unusual sounds. [ Examples of usage ] * voice messages (or pieces of music) on t-shirts, billboards, posters, postcards, goods; * audio labels for phonorecords; * audio examples in books; * secret messages; * art-experiments. [ How to use ] Launch the app, point the camera at the code (tap on the screen to focus if necessary) and smoothly scan the picture from left to right. The code should be parallel to the frame - try to keep the camera level. The black code markers (top and bottom) should fall entirely into the frame. If the application recognizes code markers, you will hear a sound. If you are unable to play the code smoothly, press the record button on the right side of the screen, this will enable automatic scanning.

About

Aparillo

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
Read full description

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

Screenshots

PhonoPaper1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PhonoPaper at none against Aparillo's 1. PhonoPaper also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). Aparillo's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and ratings volume (506 vs 45). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PhonoPaper asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aparillo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aparillo has 506 ratings behind it against 45, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of PhonoPaper's written reviews are positive against 88% of Aparillo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PhonoPaper versus Aparillo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhonoPaperAparillo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (45 ratings)4.9 (506 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.7% of reviews88.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings45506 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ZolotovSugar Bytes GmbH

Customer experience

PhonoPaper

All ratings45 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive82.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative14.7%

Aparillo

All ratings506 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive88.5%
Neutral6.2%
Negative5.3%

Bugs and requests

PhonoPaper

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or 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

In-app purchases

None

PhonoPaper

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Aparillo

One-time1
  • Aparillo Full Version$24.99

Questions

Is PhonoPaper free?
PhonoPaper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aparillo free?
Aparillo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PhonoPaper or Aparillo?
Aparillo is rated higher. PhonoPaper averages 4.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Aparillo averages 4.9 from 506 ratings.
Do PhonoPaper or Aparillo have ads?
Neither PhonoPaper nor Aparillo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhonoPaper or Aparillo?
PhonoPaper ships an update every 4 months, and Aparillo every 4 months. Most recently, PhonoPaper was updated on September 27, 2026 and Aparillo on September 30, 2026.

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