StepPolyArp vs MIDI Tools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
StepPolyArp
This app functions as a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and sequencer. It can generate melodic patterns from input or operate as a standalone sequencer. Save and sync unlimited presets with iCloud, featuring extensive customization for patterns and step controllers.
- Standalone app and AUv3 MIDI effect plugin
- Arpeggiator and step sequencer modes
- Programmable step matrix with transposition lines
- Polyrhythmic step controllers
- Internal sound bank
- Ableton Link and MIDI sync support
- Unlimited preset saving with iCloud sync
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"StepPolyArp" is a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and step sequencer. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in. The application and the plug-in can operate as a step arpeggiator, automatically generating melodic patterns from played notes or chords, or as a step sequencer that does not require MIDI input to play. Unlimited presets can be saved locally and synchronized with iCloud. Each preset contains 16 patterns, 5 customizable polyrhythmic step controllers, and a 32-step event matrix with 11 polyphonic and polyrhythmic lines driving the arpeggiator engine. The application supports full internal and external MIDI connections for input and output, Ableton Link synchronization, and MIDI clock synchronization. An internal sound bank is included. The AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in supports multiple instances. A compatible host is required to run the plug-in. The host must support the Audio Unit v3 (AUv3) MIDI effect format. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on iOS: Logic Pro, Cubasis, Beatmaker, AUM, Audiobus, NanoStudio, Auria Pro, apeMatrix. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on macOS: Logic Pro 10.7 or later. Features: • Standalone application and AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in • Arpeggiator and step sequencer mode • 1 to 32-step programmable matrix • 11 configurable transposition lines • Polyrhythmic lines and clock dividers per line • Mute by line • Gate, velocity, probability, random pitch, random gate, and random velocity per event • 16 patterns by preset • Automatic pattern chaining • 8-octave resizable keyboard • Multitasking support • Stop "Audio Background" automatically after inactivity (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, or never) • Sample-accurate timing • Internal sound bank • Tap tempo • Receiving MIDI from external MIDI sources • Receiving external MIDI sync (MIDI clock) • Ableton Link support • Internal routing of inputs, outputs, and MIDI sync • Send MIDI to a virtual port usable as MIDI input by other "Core MIDI" compatible apps • Default velocity, modulation, pan, volume, aftertouch, and pitch bend step controllers • Customizable MIDI setup for step controllers • Arpeggiator and sequencer can conform to the selected scale • Predefined scales and possibility to create custom scales • 6 arpeggiator modes • 1 random mode • 1 chord mode • Randomization panel for generating random patterns with a large number of parameters to control the result • Preset manager with support for in-app purchase packs • "Program Change" support • Preset sharing via "AirDrop", "Mail", "Messages", and other supported services • Native iCloud support • "iCloud Drive" support in the "Files" app on iOS and "Finder" on macOS • Full support of "Windowed Apps" mode on iPad • Undo/Redo • Lockable keyboard (latch mode) Supported MIDI connections: • Virtual "Core MIDI" connections between applications • Any compatible MIDI interface • MIDI over Wi-Fi • MIDI over Bluetooth • Ableton Link (sync and transport)
MIDI Tools
This application provides a suite of MIDI audio units for iOS, allowing users to manipulate MIDI messages within their DAW's effects chain. It offers tools for altering velocity, transposing keys, monitoring events, and routing MIDI to external hardware or internal buses.
- MIDI message manipulation within DAW effects chains
- 8 AUv3 MIDI audio units
- Velocity and aftertouch alteration
- Key transposition and range restriction
- MIDI event monitoring and reporting
- Tempo-synced trigger blocking
- External and internal MIDI routing
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MIDI Tools is a suite of AUv3 MIDI audio units for iOS that lets you manipulate the MIDI messages inside your DAW’s effects chain, creating complex or otherwise impossible MIDI routings or effects. The app contains 8 MIDI audio units in a single package, which can be loaded in compatible hosts (BeatMaker 3, Cubasis 2, AUM, ApeMatrix etc.). Make sure your host is capable of loading, transmitting to, and receiving MIDI from audio unit MIDI effects. They’re intended to augment existing MIDI processing capabilities, or in scenarios where a host doesn’t provide the required functionality out of the box. 1) MIDI Curve: Alter velocity or aftertouch values (0-127) in a controlled or random manner. 2) MIDI Key Zone: Transpose and restrict the playable key range. Perform velocity fades across various pitch ranges. Generate polyphonic chord fade effects. 3) MIDI Monitor: Monitor MIDI events in an effects chain, with detailed reports. 4) MIDI De-Ghost: Tempo synced trigger block, useful for hardware pad controllers that double-trigger, or removing ghost notes. It can also be used creatively to generate polyrhythms and gate-shifting effects. 5) MIDI Route: External MIDI routing capabilities. Route MIDI to external hardware, loopback to other tracks or banks. Record MIDI audio units generator output in DAWs which lack the ability to perform complex in-app MIDI routing. 6) MIDI Bus: Internal MIDI busing capabilities, designed for DAWs which lack the ability to perform complex in-app MIDI routing. 7) MIDI Latch: Enable latching and sustain capabilities, in any DAW that supports MIDI audio units. 8) MIDI Clone & Filter: Clone and filter incoming MIDI across different channels, in any DAW that supports MIDI audio units.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MIDI Tools at $4.99 against StepPolyArp's $19.99. MIDI Tools also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). StepPolyArp's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 70%) and device support (4 vs 1). On rating, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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
StepPolyArp costs $19.99 and MIDI Tools $4.99 up front. StepPolyArp sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. MIDI Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for StepPolyArp against 4.7 for MIDI Tools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 22 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of StepPolyArp's written reviews are positive against 70% of MIDI Tools's.
StepPolyArp ships an update every 2 months, MIDI Tools every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | StepPolyArp | MIDI Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (48 ratings) — better | 4.7 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.7% of reviews — better | 70.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 48 — better | 22 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Laurent Colson | Victor Porof |
Customer experience
StepPolyArp
MIDI Tools
In-app purchases
StepPolyArp
- Dance Horizons$4.99
- Analog Sequence$4.99
MIDI Tools
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is StepPolyArp free?
Is MIDI Tools free?
Which has better reviews, StepPolyArp or MIDI Tools?
Do StepPolyArp or MIDI Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, StepPolyArp or MIDI Tools?
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