GridInstrument vs Velocity Keyboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GridInstrument
This app transforms your iOS device into a unique musical instrument with a grid-based interface. Explore over 20 musical modes and various grid layouts. It also supports external MIDI controllers like the Launchpad for expanded creative possibilities.
- Grid-based note arrangement
- Launchpad integration
- Over 20 musical modes
- Multiple grid layouts
- Core MIDI out
- Audiobus 3 MIDI support
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GridInstrument lets you play your iOS device like a musical instrument. Instead of a piano keyboard, notes are arranged on a grid. It also lets you hook up your Launchpad device (using the Apple Camera Connection Kit) and play that as well! Features: - Launchpad integration (connect your Launchpad Mini in low-power mode without a hub or any other Launchpad with a powered hub) - Change octaves - Change keys - Change from over 20 musical modes ("Major, Minor, Dorian, Mixolydian, etc.") - Choose between three grid layouts ("Diatonic", "Chromatic/4ths String Layout", "Drum rack"), as well as row note offset/overlap setting - Core MIDI out so that you use GridInstrument to control your other instruments - Audiobus 3 MIDI support - MIDI note input so that you can see notes triggered by other devices on your grid Want to see some other feature implemented? Contact us at the Decidedly website.
Velocity Keyboard
This app offers a versatile MPE MIDI controller with advanced velocity sensing and multiple interface layouts. It provides extensive MIDI CC control and flexible modes for both MPE and non-MPE synthesizers, enhancing musical expression.
- Advanced velocity sensing algorithm
- Four interface layouts (Keyboard, String, Scale, Drum Pad)
- Standalone app and Audio Unit support
- 8 simultaneous MIDI CC sources
- Smooth MIDI pitch bending
- Custom scale highlighting
- Pitch bend correction algorithm
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Velocity Keyboard is a powerful velocity-sensitive MPE compatible MIDI controller. FEATURES - unique velocity sensing algorithm that tracks touch force like no other app - Four interface layouts: Keyboard, String, Scale, and Drum Pad - runs as an Audio Unit or as a standalone app - 8 simultaneous sources of MIDI CC parameter control: touch area, touch force (on devices that support 3D Touch), touch Y-coordinate, velocity to CC and up to four MIDI CC control knobs - smooth MIDI pitch bending between notes in both string and keyboard layouts - highlight custom scales in any key - dedicated MIDI modes for maximum flexibility when controlling non-MPE compatible synthesizers - pitch bend correction algorithm plays more in-tune with more freedom of expression when bending between notes (compared to similar MIDI controller apps) - can output velocity as a MIDI CC or aftertouch message to better support synths that aren't designed with velocity sensing in mind What does this app do differently from our iFretless apps? - It uses much less RAM because it doesn't load any audio samples - It has MIDI aftertouch controls, so changes in touch pressure and location that occur after after the start of a note can control MIDI CC parameters - It supports highlighting notes in custom scales - It has piano keyboard, scale, and drum pad layout options - It has updated velocity sensing and pitch correction algorithms - It has better visibility, making it feel more playable on smaller screens, or with a larger number of rows and columns
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: GridInstrument at $3.99 against Velocity Keyboard's $9.99. GridInstrument also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.0). Velocity Keyboard's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (101 vs 11). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
GridInstrument costs $3.99 and Velocity Keyboard $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Velocity Keyboard holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Velocity Keyboard has 101 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of GridInstrument's written reviews are positive against 82% of Velocity Keyboard's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
GridInstrument ships an update weekly, Velocity Keyboard every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GridInstrument | Velocity Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (11 ratings) | 4.8 (101 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 82.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 101 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 9 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Decidedly, LLC | Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited |
Customer experience
GridInstrument
Velocity Keyboard
In-app purchases
GridInstrument
No in-app purchases
Velocity Keyboard
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is GridInstrument free?
Is Velocity Keyboard free?
Which has better reviews, GridInstrument or Velocity Keyboard?
Do GridInstrument or Velocity Keyboard have ads?
Which is updated more often, GridInstrument or Velocity Keyboard?
Other comparisons
