# MIDI Sniffer vs ShowMIDI

The clearest difference is update cadence: ShowMIDI at every 2 months against MIDI Sniffer's every 36 months. ShowMIDI also leads on ratings volume (18 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

MIDI Sniffer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShowMIDI has 18 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

MIDI Sniffer ships an update every 36 months, ShowMIDI every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | MIDI Sniffer | ShowMIDI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-sniffer/id1309533283/reviews)** | [4.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/showmidi/id6472608850/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **18** |
| Positive reviews | — | 87.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 36 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 1 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sven Thoennissen](https://appshunter.io/developer/595221583) | [Uwyn, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/597132109) |

## What reviewers say

### MIDI Sniffer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-sniffer/id1309533283)

Capture and share MIDI messages from external instruments. View logs in text or hex with precise timestamps. Export as MIDI files or share via text/email. Supports Bluetooth LE connections and message filtering.

**Highlights:** Capture MIDI messages (text/hex), Microsecond precision timestamps, Share logs via text/email, Export logs as MIDI files, Bluetooth LE MIDI connections, Message filtering, Color-coded messages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShowMIDI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/showmidi/id6472608850)

This application provides a real-time, glanceable view of all MIDI activity on your computer. It visualizes various MIDI messages and allows you to pause the flow for a data snapshot. It can be used as a standalone tool or an AUv3 plugin within your DAW.

**Highlights:** Real-time MIDI visualization, Auto-hides irrelevant messages, Pause and snapshot data, Standalone application, AUv3 plugin support, Supports MPE configuration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MIDI Sniffer free?

MIDI Sniffer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShowMIDI free?

ShowMIDI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MIDI Sniffer or ShowMIDI?

MIDI Sniffer is rated higher. MIDI Sniffer averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ShowMIDI averages 4.8 from 18 ratings.

### Do MIDI Sniffer or ShowMIDI have ads?

Neither MIDI Sniffer nor ShowMIDI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MIDI Sniffer or ShowMIDI?

MIDI Sniffer ships an update every 36 months, and ShowMIDI every 2 months. Most recently, MIDI Sniffer was updated on November 4, 2026 and ShowMIDI on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*