MIDI Expression Control vs CarolPlayMidi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MIDI Expression Control
This application allows users to modify settings for MIDI Expression devices. Ensure your device has firmware version 2.6 or higher for iOS compatibility.
- Change device settings
- Compatible with MIDI Expression devices
- iOS firmware compatibility check
- Free to download
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This is the Control Application for MIDI Expression devices. It lets you change settings for the devices. Please note that the iOS version of the Control Application is only compatible with devices running firmware version 2.6 and up.
CarolPlayMidi
This app allows you to play carols and hymns in four-part harmony using simple two-finger controls. You can expressively manage tempo, volume, and articulation. It functions as a MIDI controller, sending musical data to a separate synthesizer app for sound production.
- Four-part harmony
- Two-finger play
- Expressive control
- Tempo and volume adjustment
- MIDI controller functionality
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CarolPlayMidi enables you to perform favorite Christmas carols or classic hymns in four-part harmony, most of the time playing with just two fingers. You can play expressively, controlling tempo, volume, and articulation. Note: CarolPlayMidi is a "midi controller." It works by sending chord and note information to a synthesizer app. The synthesizer app then creates the sound. There are many synthesizer apps which can be used to create the sound. Setup instructions are found on the CarolPlayMidi "Setup" page, and at the support website.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: CarolPlayMidi at every 6 weeks against MIDI Expression Control's every 6 months. CarolPlayMidi also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for MIDI Expression Control against 4.9 for CarolPlayMidi. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 7 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
MIDI Expression Control ships an update every 6 months, CarolPlayMidi every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDI Expression Control | CarolPlayMidi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better | 4.9 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 10.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Robert Jonkman | Malcolm Mugglin |
Customer experience
MIDI Expression Control
CarolPlayMidi
In-app purchases
MIDI Expression Control
No in-app purchases
CarolPlayMidi
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MIDI Expression Control free?
Is CarolPlayMidi free?
Which has better reviews, MIDI Expression Control or CarolPlayMidi?
Do MIDI Expression Control or CarolPlayMidi have ads?
Which is updated more often, MIDI Expression Control or CarolPlayMidi?
Other comparisons
