MIDI Macros vs Tab Buddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MIDI Macros
Create custom buttons that send MIDI data to control synthesizers, FX units, DAWs, and digital mixers. Organize your controls into presets that can be stored locally or synced via iCloud.
- Create custom MIDI macro buttons
- Control synthesizers and FX units
- Integrate with DAWs and plugins
- Add buttons to digital mixers
- Send multiple MIDI messages per macro
- Store and sync presets via iCloud
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MIDI Macros enables you to create a collection of buttons (macros), which send out custom MIDI data when tapped. You can make macros to do whatever you want using MIDI: - toggle between synthesizer's presets - control your FX units' parameters - control your DAW and it's plugins - add extra buttons to your digital mixer - do all of the above simultaneously Look up the MIDI messages required for your setup in the device's manuals. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or need any help, via contact@oscarbouwmans.nl. Every macro can send multiple MIDI messages, to any of the connected MIDI devices. So, for example, one macro can toggle 3 different actions, on 3 different devices. Or 1 action, on 9 devices. Etc. MIDI Devices can be connected to your iOS device via USB*, Bluetooth, or WiFi. *requires the Apple Camera Connection Kit or other compatible adapters Macro sets can be stored in presets. Presets can either be stored locally on the iOS device, or in iCloud, allowing you to synchronise presets between your devices. A future update will allow presets to be sent to other devices using AirDrop. This way you can send presets from your iPad to your iPhone for example, or to a friend who has a similar setup.
Tab Buddy
This app helps musicians practice songs by displaying text-based or PDF tab files. Users can adjust scrolling speed, zoom, and font size for an optimal practice experience. It supports various instruments and offers a clean interface for easy file import and playback.
- Open .txt or .pdf tab files
- Adjustable scroll speed
- Pinch-to-zoom for font size
- Clean, easy-to-read interface
- Simple file importer
- Support for monospaced text and PDF
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Tab Buddy makes practicing your favorite songs easier than ever. Open text-based or PDF tab files, set your ideal scrolling speed, and focus on playing. Whether you're practicing guitar, bass, or other instruments, Tab Buddy keeps your sheet music moving smoothly in front of you. Features: - Open .txt or .pdf tab files instantly - Adjustable scroll speed for perfect practice tempo - Pinch-to-zoom to adjust font size dynamically - Clean, easy-to-read interface - Simple file importer — pick and play - Support for both monospaced text tabs and PDF sheet music - Designed for both iPhone and iPad
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tab Buddy at Free against MIDI Macros's $0.99. Tab Buddy also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (100% vs 64%). MIDI Macros's advantage is ratings volume (9 vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Tab Buddy is free to download; MIDI Macros costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tab Buddy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Macros has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of MIDI Macros's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tab Buddy's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDI Macros | Tab Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (9 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oscar Bouwmans | Gamic Arts LLC |
Customer experience
MIDI Macros
Tab Buddy
In-app purchases
MIDI Macros
No in-app purchases
Tab Buddy
No in-app purchases









