Comparison

DEEPMIND 12 vs Pianoteq 8

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

Head to head
About

DEEPMIND 12

Control and organize your Behringer DEEPMIND 12 synthesizer. Explore all parameters, blend up to four patches, and update your synth's firmware. Connect via MIDI or USB for seamless integration.

Highlights
  • Full parameter control
  • Preset library
  • Preset Blender
  • Firmware updater
  • MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI support
  • USB connection
Features
Read full description

Delve into all the parameters of the Behringer DEEPMIND 12 digitally-controlled analogue synthesizer. Organise and share your patches with the built-in preset library. See every parameter of your current patch with the overview page. Blend smoothly between up to 4 different patches with the Preset Blender. Update your synth with the latest features using the bulit-in firmware updater. The app can be connected to the DEEPMIND 12 using any iOS-compatible MIDI interface, including Bluetooth MIDI & Apple's MIDI Network Session. You can plug straight into the DEEPMIND 12 using Apple's USB Camera Connection Kit.

About

Pianoteq 8

This virtual instrument uses advanced physical modeling to generate realistic sounds for a wide range of instruments, including pianos, electric pianos, and guitars. It offers compact file sizes and faithful sound reproduction, making it ideal for musicians on the go. Connect a MIDI device and start playing, or use it as a plugin in other music applications.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling sound generation
  • Simulates pianos, electric pianos, guitars, and more
  • Realistic playability
  • Compact file size
  • Works as a plugin
  • MIDI device compatible
Features
Read full description

PIANOTEQ: THE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT Pianoteq is an award-winning virtual instrument that simulates a wide range of instruments including pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, vibraphones, guitars, steel drums, and more, using advanced physical modeling. Unlike traditional virtual instruments that use recorded sounds, Pianoteq generates sounds in real-time by calculating the physics of how strings vibrate and how the soundboard radiates sound. Why Pianoteq Stands Out: - Realistic Playability: By modeling the physical properties of instruments, Pianoteq replicates the playability and complex behavior of real acoustic instruments. - Compact Size: Without large samples, Pianoteq's file size is much smaller than other virtual instruments, making it ideal for your iOS device. Trusted by the Best: Steinway, KAWAI, Bösendorfer, C. Bechstein, Petrof, Steingraeber, Grotrian, Blüthner, and Hohner have all endorsed Pianoteq for its faithful sound reproduction. Getting Started: - Connect a MIDI device to your iPad/iPhone. - Launch Pianoteq. - Start playing! Pianoteq also works as a plugin in any Audio Unit host application, such as GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, Camelot, and more. Note: All instruments run in demo mode (with some keys disabled) until you purchase a Pianoteq STAGE license (unlocks two instruments) or link to an existing Pianoteq user account with a valid license. Licenses purchased on the App Store are valid across other supported platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux).

Screenshots

Pianoteq 83 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pianoteq 8 at 74% against DEEPMIND 12's 19%. Pianoteq 8 also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (133 vs 12). DEEPMIND 12's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 28) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price and ads 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

Both are free to download. Pianoteq 8 sells 28 one-off in-app purchases. DEEPMIND 12 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pianoteq 8 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pianoteq 8 has 133 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 19% of DEEPMIND 12's written reviews are positive against 74% of Pianoteq 8's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DEEPMIND 12 ships an update every 3 months, Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
DEEPMIND 12 versus Pianoteq 8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDEEPMIND 12Pianoteq 8
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (12 ratings)4.6 (133 ratings) — better
Positive reviews19.3% of reviews73.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12133 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMusic Group Research UK LimitedModartt

Customer experience

DEEPMIND 12

All ratings12 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive19.3%
Neutral8.1%
Negative72.6%

Pianoteq 8

All ratings133 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive73.6%
Neutral4.4%
Negative22.0%

User reviews

DEEPMIND 12

From 12 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💡 Great interface for synth control
  • 💡 Intuitive patch editing
  • 💡 Useful for patch banking
  • 💡 Preset morphing feature
  • 👍 Good when it works

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Unreliable connectivity
  • 🐛 Does not work with newer iOS versions
  • 🐛 Difficult to connect
  • 🐛 Outdated and unsupported

Pianoteq 8

From 133 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎶 Realistic piano sounds
  • 💻 Cross-platform compatibility
  • 💡 Physical modeling technology
  • 🤏 Small app size
  • 🎹 High playability and expressiveness

Room to improve

  • 💸 Expensive pricing
  • 🤔 Steep price for casual users
  • 🛒 Difficult purchase process
  • 💻 Requires additional license slot
  • 👎 Terrible user interface

Bugs and requests

DEEPMIND 12

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • App does not launch
  • Wi-Fi connection issues
  • MIDI In and Out not selectable
  • App not recognized by synth
Show 3 more
  • Cannot install on newer iOS
  • Dialog box that won't go away
  • App not communicating with Deep Mind on Mac OS

Requested features

7 requests
  • Update app for current iOS versions
  • Improve Wi-Fi connectivity stability
  • Add a note sequencer
  • Allow saving presets and favorites
  • Add Bluetooth MIDI support
Show 2 more
  • Update firmware updater feature
  • Make app compatible with Mac OS

Pianoteq 8

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Some keys do not work
  • Significant latency issues
  • Cannot activate due to missing serial number
  • Stuttering audio on iOS
  • App not updated for new iOS
Show 3 more
  • Impossible to order from App Store
  • Bug in purchase through App Store
  • MIDI file saving not working

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Yamaha p125 instrument
  • iPad only version
  • Add second row of keyboard
  • Increase/decrease number of visible keys

In-app purchases

None

DEEPMIND 12

No in-app purchases

28 purchases

Pianoteq 8

One-time28
  • Use existing licenceFree
  • Upgrade to latest version$29.99
  • Grand C. Bechstein DG$49.99
Show 25 more
  • Grand Blüthner$49.99
  • Celeste$49.99
  • Grand Grotrian$49.99
  • Electric Pianos$49.99
  • Hohner Collection$49.99
  • Grand Petrof$49.99
  • Grand Steingraeber$49.99
  • Grand Steinway B$49.99
  • Upright U4$49.99
  • Grand YC5$49.99
  • Classical Guitar$49.99
  • Grand K2$49.99
  • Grand Shigeru Kawai SK-EX$49.99
  • Vibes: Vibraphones V-B & V-M$49.99
  • Harp$49.99
  • Harpsichord$49.99
  • Kremsegg collection 1$49.99
  • Grand Steinway D$49.99
  • Karsten collection$49.99
  • Kremsegg collection 2$49.99
  • Grand Bösendorfer 280VC$49.99
  • Steelpans$49.99
  • Stage to Standard$129.99
  • Standard to Pro$129.99
  • Pianoteq STAGE$139.00

Questions

Is DEEPMIND 12 free?
DEEPMIND 12 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pianoteq 8 free?
Pianoteq 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DEEPMIND 12 or Pianoteq 8?
Pianoteq 8 is rated higher. DEEPMIND 12 averages 3.7 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Pianoteq 8 averages 4.6 from 133 ratings.
Do DEEPMIND 12 or Pianoteq 8 have ads?
Neither DEEPMIND 12 nor Pianoteq 8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DEEPMIND 12 or Pianoteq 8?
DEEPMIND 12 ships an update every 3 months, and Pianoteq 8 every 2 months. Most recently, DEEPMIND 12 was updated on October 31, 2026 and Pianoteq 8 on October 27, 2026.

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