Comparison

MIDI Sniffer vs Tone Scope Lab

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

Head to head
About

MIDI Sniffer

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
Read full description

This app allows you to capture incoming MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages, for example from external MIDI keyboards or accordions with a MIDI system. It is also possible to share the entire log as text or MIDI file, for example with app developers asking for a MIDI dump. Connect a MIDI interface to your Apple device, then connect your MIDI instrument to the interface. Features: - Capture MIDI messages in clear text and hexadecimal digits - Shows timestamps in microseconds precision - Share the log via text message or email - Export log as MIDI file - Establish MIDI Bluetooth LE connections - Different colors are used for better distinction - Apply filters to focus on events of interest

About

Tone Scope Lab

Features
Read full description

Tone Scope Lab is a real-time tuner and spectrum analysis tool designed for musicians who want to see pitch, not just read a number. At the center of Tone Scope Lab is its infinite circular pitch ruler, which provides a continuous visual view of pitch movement while you play. Real-time spectrum visualization lets you see the frequency components of your instrument’s sound, providing another visual perspective alongside the pitch ruler. The Transpose Ruler provides a quick visual reference for transposing instruments, helping you relate written and sounding pitches at a glance. Choose from three generations of analysis and display systems: • Gen-1 — a simple and direct tuning view • Gen-2 — enhanced analysis and visualization • Gen-3 — the latest generation, combining multiple stages of analysis for more focused pitch detection Tone Scope Lab also supports instrument presets. The built-in General preset provides flexible, all-purpose tuning, while additional instrument presets can be downloaded for more focused analysis ranges. Features: • Real-time pitch detection • Infinite circular pitch ruler • Real-time spectrum visualization • Transpose Ruler for transposing instruments • Frequency display • Three generations of analysis and display • Instrument presets • Downloadable additional presets • Adjustable spectrum display modes • Designed for instrument practice, tuning, and sound observation Tone Scope Lab is designed to make pitch behavior visible — from a simple tuning reference to a deeper view of how your instrument’s sound behaves.

Screenshots

MIDI Sniffer2 screens
Tone Scope Lab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MIDI Sniffer at none against Tone Scope Lab's shown. Tone Scope Lab's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 36 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Sniffer ships an update every 36 months, Tone Scope Lab every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
MIDI Sniffer versus Tone Scope Lab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI SnifferTone Scope Lab
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 36 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSven ThoennissenYosuke Ouchi

In-app purchases

None

MIDI Sniffer

No in-app purchases

None

Tone Scope Lab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI Sniffer free?
MIDI Sniffer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tone Scope Lab free?
Tone Scope Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MIDI Sniffer or Tone Scope Lab have ads?
Tone Scope Lab shows ads; MIDI Sniffer does not.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Sniffer or Tone Scope Lab?
MIDI Sniffer ships an update every 36 months, and Tone Scope Lab every 5 days. Most recently, MIDI Sniffer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Tone Scope Lab on October 18, 2026.

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