# Patch Base vs kontakt smart controller

The clearest difference is price: Patch Base at Free against kontakt smart controller's $14.99. Patch Base also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 25 months) and ratings volume (85 vs 1). kontakt smart controller's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 31). On ads there is nothing between them.

Patch Base is free to download; kontakt smart controller costs $14.99 up front. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. kontakt smart controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

kontakt smart controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 85 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, kontakt smart controller every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Patch Base | kontakt smart controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kontakt-smart-controller/id1560447225/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **85** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 25 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#190** |
| Size | 69 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) | [9390-0801 Quebec inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1517759983) |

## What reviewers say

### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


### kontakt smart controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kontakt-smart-controller/id1560447225)

**Currently charting:** #190 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Control your music software's sound banks, transpose, octave, and pitch bend directly from your mobile device. Offers an intuitive interface for managing up to 128 sounds per bank.

**Highlights:** Control bank sounds (128 per bank), Transpose control, Octave control, Pitch bend control, Scale control, Intuitive graphic interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Patch Base free?

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

### Is kontakt smart controller free?

kontakt smart controller costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Patch Base or kontakt smart controller?

kontakt smart controller is rated higher. Patch Base averages 3.4 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while kontakt smart controller averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Patch Base or kontakt smart controller have ads?

Neither Patch Base nor kontakt smart controller shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Patch Base or kontakt smart controller?

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, and kontakt smart controller every 25 months. Most recently, Patch Base was updated on September 23, 2026 and kontakt smart controller on September 8, 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.*