# Sidecar MIDI Controller vs Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

The clearest difference is rating: Sidecar MIDI Controller at 4.9 against Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth's 4.4. Sidecar MIDI Controller also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 67%) and price ($4.99 vs $6.99). Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Sidecar MIDI Controller costs $4.99 and Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Sidecar MIDI Controller holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Sidecar MIDI Controller's written reviews are positive against 67% of Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth's.

Sidecar MIDI Controller ships an update every 3 months, Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sidecar MIDI Controller | Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar-midi-controller/id1073305840/reviews)** | [4.4 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nikaya-wavetable-and-fm-synth/id6744972629/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **76.2% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 6 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Secret Base Design](https://appshunter.io/developer/413007812) | [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853) |

## 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


### Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nikaya-wavetable-and-fm-synth/id6744972629)

This app is a polyphonic wavetable and FM synthesizer for musicians and sound designers. It offers flexible wavetable creation, sound design capabilities, and AUv3 plugin support for seamless integration with music production hosts. Share and discover user-created presets within the app.

**Highlights:** 8-voice polyphonic engine, Dual wavetable oscillators per voice, Bidirectional FM synthesis, Global ladder filter, AUv3 plugin support, iCloud sync for presets, Community preset sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, 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 Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth free?

Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sidecar MIDI Controller or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth?

Sidecar MIDI Controller is rated higher. Sidecar MIDI Controller averages 4.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth averages 4.4 from 8 ratings.

### Do Sidecar MIDI Controller or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth have ads?

Neither Sidecar MIDI Controller nor Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sidecar MIDI Controller or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth?

Sidecar MIDI Controller ships an update every 3 months, and Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth every 2 days. Most recently, Sidecar MIDI Controller was updated on September 21, 2026 and Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth on September 16, 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.*