# Sidecar MIDI Controller vs GlitchStep

The clearest difference is update cadence: GlitchStep at every 3 days against Sidecar MIDI Controller's every 3 months. GlitchStep also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 76%). Sidecar MIDI Controller's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.2). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Sidecar MIDI Controller costs $4.99 and GlitchStep $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Sidecar MIDI Controller against 4.9 for GlitchStep. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 19 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Sidecar MIDI Controller's written reviews are positive against 89% of GlitchStep's.

Sidecar MIDI Controller ships an update every 3 months, GlitchStep every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sidecar MIDI Controller | GlitchStep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [4.9 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar-midi-controller/id1073305840/reviews) | [4.9 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glitchstep/id6708239273/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **19** |
| Positive reviews | 76.2% of reviews | **88.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Secret Base Design](https://appshunter.io/developer/413007812) | [Alex Matheu](https://appshunter.io/developer/407790501) |

## What reviewers say

### Sidecar MIDI Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar-midi-controller/id1073305840)

Transform your QWERTY keyboard or game controller into a powerful MIDI controller for your iOS music apps. Play melodies, trigger chords, and adjust synth parameters with ease, even while running other apps in the background.

**Highlights:** QWERTY keyboard piano mapping, Configurable pads for notes, chords, and messages, Scale-configurable virtual keyboard, Game controller support, AUv3 plugin integration, Slide-over and side-by-side mode compatibility

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### GlitchStep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glitchstep/id6708239273)

This music app is a monophonic 16-step MIDI sequencer and AUv3 MIDI processor extension. It allows for real-time sequence rearrangement, song building with playlists, and dynamic performance variations. Integrate it with your favorite AUv3 hosts for enhanced music production.

**Highlights:** 16-step monophonic sequencer, AUv3 MIDI processor extension, Real-time sequence rearrangement, Pattern and slice playlists, Glitch effects with XY pad, Extensive scale options, Customizable sequence controls

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sidecar MIDI Controller free?

Sidecar MIDI Controller costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is GlitchStep free?

GlitchStep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sidecar MIDI Controller or GlitchStep?

Sidecar MIDI Controller and GlitchStep are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 14 and 19 ratings respectively.

### Do Sidecar MIDI Controller or GlitchStep have ads?

Neither Sidecar MIDI Controller nor GlitchStep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sidecar MIDI Controller or GlitchStep?

Sidecar MIDI Controller ships an update every 3 months, and GlitchStep every 3 days. Most recently, Sidecar MIDI Controller was updated on September 21, 2026 and GlitchStep on September 22, 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.*