I use this program: https://www.archlinux.de/?page=PackageDetails;repo=community;arch=x86_64;pkgname=gnome-packagekit
I'm not sure if it works with aptoide too,but I think so.
Try downloading with apt-get install gnome-packagekit

How does one know if it's using apt ot aptitude? I did down load it. certainly faster than synaptic, I've started using aptitude on the comman line because it seems to be much better at managing dependencies and getting rid of broken and orphaned packages.

Sorry,I don't know that.
I use Arch Linux and pacman is the only package manager here (except for the AUR,but that's another thing)
If it works,everything is ok,just try it.