Comparison

STEPS vs Sequincer

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

Head to head
About

STEPS

Create complex rhythmic patterns with this powerful MIDI sequencer. Control any MIDI-compatible app, send MIDI over network, and synchronize external hardware synths. Features a user-friendly interface for seamless performance and editing.

Highlights
  • MIDI-out system
  • Bluetooth LE MIDI support
  • Audiobus 3 support
  • External hardware synchronization
  • Performance and editing modes
  • Ableton Link integration
  • Global swing and BPM control
Features
Read full description

Steps by Reactable is a small yet powerful MIDI sequencer that allows you to create complex rhythmic patterns in a surprising new way. Forget piano rolls and experiment with Steps’ inspiring dials. With Steps you can control any MIDI compatible app, send MIDI over network to your laptop or any other compatible device, and even synchronize external hardware analog synths such as Korg Volcas or Pocket Operators via an audio cable. Features: - Plug and play MIDI-out system automatically sends to all available MIDI input ports and our own virtual port. - Bluetooth LE MIDI support - Audiobus 3 Support as MIDI and Audio Sender - Connect your iDevice with an external MIDI interface and control MIDI hardware. - Synchronize external hardware synths such as Korg Volca or Pocket operators via the audio output. - A carefully designed user interface that allows you to quickly switch between performance to editing mode. - Play together with Ableton Link and sync multiple apps and devices over WiFi. - Global Swing function (50% - 75%) - applied automatically to eight and sixteenth notes. - Save and recall sequences, seamlessly during playback. - Global bpm control ranging from 20 to 999 BPM. - Global Gate level allows global control of note duration. - Global MIDI velocity control. - Global Glide function applies pitch bend to small distances between adjacent steps (if the synth being controlled supports pitch bend). - Global transpose ribbon allows for easy transposition of the entire pattern. - Step pitch preview function (available while transport is stopped).

About

Sequincer

Compose music on the go with this grid-based MIDI sequencer. Easily add notes, adjust durations, and build complex arrangements with multiple tracks and instruments. Supports MIDI and MusicXML import, and works as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin.

Highlights
  • Grid-based note input
  • Adjustable note duration and velocity
  • Multi-track composition
  • AUv3 MIDI plugin support
  • MIDI and MusicXML import
  • Diatonic and chromatic input modes
  • Apple Pencil compatibility
Features
Read full description

Sequincer is a multi-track, grid-based MIDI sequencer for iPhone and iPad which makes it easy to compose music on the go. Just tap the grid to add notes and hit the play button to hear your creation. Notes added by a tap will have the duration of whichever beat division is selected. You can select a wide range of beat divisions by tapping the "1/4" button, or by pinching horizontally to double and halve the current value. You can change a note's duration by tapping on it to shorten it, or by holding and panning to the right to increase it. There are four tiers: a free preview tier, then Loops, Producer, and Composer. The free tier lets you preview the app. The second tier, Loops, gives you 4 tracks and 64 beats to compose (16 standard bars). The third tier, Producer, brings this to 16 tracks and 1000 beats, enough for a full-length song. The fourth tier, Composer, allows you to use up to 64 tracks and an even greater number of beats, enough for a complete symphony. The 7-note input system, inspired by sheet music, uses the diatonic scale, and you can add accidentals for any new note by dragging up or down as soon as you create it. The 12-tone chromatic mode lets you input notes like on most piano rolls. Velocity, tempo changes and other properties can be edited for each bar in "Structure" mode, by tapping the bar's header or using the edit button. You can write up to 64 simultaneous tracks each with its own instrument, all overlaid on the same piano roll so you can see your full composition at a glance. Each track can be selected, muted, or soloed. • Works as standalone or as a plugin Sequincer is also an AUv3 MIDI processor, so you can use it inside host apps like AUM. Each track can send MIDI to a different synth, making it ideal for layering sounds or building complex arrangements. • Flexible timing and rhythm Create as many bars as you need, and set a custom beat count for each one. Pinch horizontally to zoom in or out on the beat divisions: add quarters, eighths, sixteenths, or even dotted rhythms for compound time. Pinch vertically to zoom in and out of the piano roll. Add tempo change events to speed up or slow down specific parts. • MIDI and MusicXML compatibility Import MIDI files or MusicXML (sheet music). Sequincer currently supports many standard features like tempo changes, dynamics, and jumps. Route tracks to external MIDI devices • Write with real notes Each bar can be set to a musical key, so you’re always writing in scale. A C sharp and a D flat might sound the same in equal temperament, but they’re not the same note. If you’re writing a B flat minor chord for example, you need a D flat for the minor third–a C sharp would be an augmented second. This harmonic awareness makes it possible to experiment with other tuning systems such as Pythagorean, Meantone, and more. To add accidentals, drag the note up or down as you place it. • Compatible with Apple Pencil on iPad Hover to hear notes before placing them. Double-tap to quickly switch instruments. Use a squeeze gesture (on Pencil Pro) to open the track palette. It’s a fast and intuitive way to compose, if you’ve got a compatible device. • Available on all your devices Your creations are automatically synced with iCloud so you can start on your iPhone and finish it on your iPad. Happy composing! This app is subject to Apple’s standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

STEPS4 screens
Sequincer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sequincer at Free against STEPS's $0.99. Sequincer also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (75% vs 56%). STEPS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads 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

Sequincer is free to download; STEPS costs $0.99 up front. Sequincer sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. STEPS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sequincer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of STEPS's written reviews are positive against 75% of Sequincer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

STEPS ships an update every 3 weeks, Sequincer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
STEPS versus Sequincer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSTEPSSequincer
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (13 ratings)4.6 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1316 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperReactable Systems SLAlexis Doualle

Customer experience

STEPS

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral11.1%
Negative33.3%

Sequincer

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

STEPS

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Sequincer

Subscriptions3
  • Pro3 Months trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro3 Months trial$9.996 Months
  • Pro3 Months trial$12.991 Year
One-time7
  • Loops PromoFree
  • Loops$9.99
  • Upgrade Producer to Composer$9.99
Show 4 more
  • Upgrade Loops to Producer$9.99
  • Upgrade Loops to Composer$19.99
  • Producer$19.99
  • Composer$29.99

Questions

Is STEPS free?
STEPS costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sequincer free?
Sequincer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, STEPS or Sequincer?
Sequincer is rated higher. STEPS averages 3.9 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Sequincer averages 4.6 from 16 ratings.
Do STEPS or Sequincer have ads?
Neither STEPS nor Sequincer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, STEPS or Sequincer?
STEPS ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sequincer fortnightly. Most recently, STEPS was updated on September 24, 2026 and Sequincer on September 29, 2026.

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