# PhonoPaper vs Aparillo

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.

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

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 89% of Aparillo's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PhonoPaper | Aparillo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (45 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonopaper/id865947553/reviews) | **[4.9 (506 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aparillo/id1439914019/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 45 | **506** |
| Positive reviews | 82.9% of reviews | **88.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 4 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Zolotov](https://appshunter.io/developer/324462547) | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) |

## What reviewers say

### PhonoPaper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonopaper/id865947553)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 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 October 14, 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.*