DEEPMIND 12 vs Pianoteq 8
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Full parameter control
- Preset library
- Preset Blender
- Firmware updater
- MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI support
- USB connection
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- Physical modeling sound generation
- Simulates pianos, electric pianos, guitars, and more
- Realistic playability
- Compact file size
- Works as a plugin
- MIDI device compatible
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Pianoteq 8 sells 28 one-off in-app purchases. DEEPMIND 12 asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | DEEPMIND 12 | Pianoteq 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (12 ratings) | 4.6 (133 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 19.3% of reviews | 73.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 133 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Music Group Research UK Limited | Modartt |
Customer experience
DEEPMIND 12
Pianoteq 8
User reviews
DEEPMIND 12
From 12 App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
DEEPMIND 12
No in-app purchases
Pianoteq 8
- Use existing licenceFree
- Upgrade to latest version$29.99
- Grand C. Bechstein DG$49.99
Show 25 moreShow fewer
- 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?
Is Pianoteq 8 free?
Which has better reviews, DEEPMIND 12 or Pianoteq 8?
Do DEEPMIND 12 or Pianoteq 8 have ads?
Which is updated more often, DEEPMIND 12 or Pianoteq 8?
Other comparisons















