Comparison

MIDI Macros vs Tab Buddy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

MIDI Macros4 screens
Tab Buddy2 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MIDI Macros versus Tab Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI MacrosTab Buddy
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (9 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOscar BouwmansGamic Arts LLC

Customer experience

MIDI Macros

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative28.6%

Tab Buddy

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

MIDI Macros

No in-app purchases

None

Tab Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI Macros free?
MIDI Macros costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tab Buddy free?
Tab Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Macros or Tab Buddy?
Tab Buddy is rated higher. MIDI Macros averages 4.2 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Tab Buddy averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do MIDI Macros or Tab Buddy have ads?
Neither MIDI Macros nor Tab Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Macros or Tab Buddy?
MIDI Macros ships an update every 3 months, and Tab Buddy every 3 months. Most recently, MIDI Macros was updated on October 10, 2026 and Tab Buddy on October 2, 2026.

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