Comparison

WiDI vs Keys

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

Head to head
About

WiDI

Create custom MIDI control surfaces and an integrated step sequencer to send MIDI events and play sequences. Connect to MIDI instruments and DAWs via network sessions or class-compliant interfaces. Automate control values with advanced modulation options.

Highlights
  • Customizable control surface (buttons, pads, knobs, faders)
  • Integrated step sequencer with multiple tracks
  • MIDI Network Session support for DAWs
  • Auto-discover MIDI CC numbers
  • Automate CC values with step modulator
  • Support for class-compliant MIDI interfaces
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

WiDI is a control surface with an integrated step sequencer in which you create controls such as buttons, pads, knobs and faders to send MIDI events and play sequences. • CONTROL SURFACE AND SEQUENCER: A control is bound to a channel and a specific MIDI Control Change. You can either specify the CC number if you know it, or let the app learn it. Once placed on the surface, use this control to interact with your MIDI device. Alternatively, any CC event sent by your device will be shown live by the control(s) bound to this CC. Pads are special controls: they can either produce MIDI CC events, Notes or Program changes. If bound to a CC, the pad can act as an on/off switch (you specify the values for each state.) If bound to a note, each tap produces the specified MIDI note. This is especially useful to operate MIDI instruments without keyboards such as synthesizer modules or drum machines. A sequence can hold as many tracks as you wish, and send notes to different MIDI channels. Sequences can play in sync or running freely. You may also group sequences together to start or pause them at the same time. • MIDI: To interface WiDI with any MIDI instruments/devices connected to your Mac or PC, connect to a MIDI Network Session on your Mac or your PC. On a Mac, this is natively supported by macOS, and you do not need to install third party software (use Audio MIDI Setup.) On a PC running Windows, you might want to install rtpMIDI. As an alternative to MIDI Network Sessions, you may use the WiDI Desktop Application. It acts as a MIDI bridge between the network and your MIDI hardware. You can install the desktop application on as many computers as you want (it's free!). It's a very lightweight package that doesn't need to perform any installation procedure whatsoever. You may download the WiDI Desktop Application for macOS on the Mac App Store, or go to : https://www.hypertide.com/widi/ for both macOS and Windows archives. Additionally, any class-compliant MIDI interface natively supported by iOS can also be used directly by WiDI without the need of a network connection. • FEATURES: ○ Use any CoreMIDI-supported MIDI interface connected to your device ○ MIDI network session: use WiDI as an external control surface for any DAW such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, ... ○ Multiple iPhone and iPad can connect to your computer, allowing different control surfaces simultaneously ○ Integrated step sequencer: create sequences, each one holding as many tracks as needed ○ Sequences can run freely or in sync and start simultaneously if grouped together in fire groups ○ Auto discover MIDI CC : you don't need to know each one to add controls, WiDI learns CC numbers sent by your devices ○ Automate CC : sweep ranges or use the step modulator to design patterns to modulate controls values, supporting various advanced options like step-by-step or smooth variations, bouncing, repeating, changing speed ○ Add as many pads as you want to generate MIDI Notes, Control Changes or Program Changes ○ Flexible control surface : set layout and grid size for both portrait and landscape orientations ○ Re-arranging controls is as simple as drag & drop ○ Fully customizable user interface : themes, colors, display of values and labels, aspect ratios, grid spacing, grid coloring, background, ... ○ Integrated File Manager to load and save your surfaces, which are also accessible in the iOS Files app and your computer's iTunes connection ○ Exchange surfaces between devices with the integrated QR code generator and scanner ○ Or use the share feature, so you may import them on any device. We'd love to hear from you! Should you be in need of support or eager to request a new feature, please contact us at support+widi@hypertide.com

About

Keys

Turn your mobile device into a versatile MIDI master keyboard. Connect wirelessly to musical instruments and DAWs to control virtual instruments and enhance your music production and live performances.

Highlights
  • Transform device into MIDI master keyboard
  • Connect to musical devices
  • Send MIDI notes and CC
  • Control virtual instruments
  • MIDI over Bluetooth
  • Customizable MIDI mapping
Features
Read full description

Transform your iPad or iPhone into a powerful Midi Master Keyboard with our app! Our app allows you to connect to any musical device and send Midi notes and Midi CC, making your mobile device a versatile tool for music production and live performance. Whether you're a professional musician or just starting out, our app offers a simple and intuitive interface to help you create, control, and perform music. With our app, you can easily connect to your digital audio workstation (DAW), synthesizers, and other musical devices to control virtual instruments and bring your musical ideas to life. Our app also supports MIDI over Bluetooth, allowing you to connect wirelessly to your musical devices. Plus, with the ability to customize your Midi mapping, you can personalize your setup to fit your unique needs. Take your music production and performance to the next level with our Midi Master Keyboard app for iPad and iPhone. Download now and experience the power of mobile music making.

Screenshots

WiDI4 screens
Keys4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: WiDI at 4.4 against Keys's 1.0. WiDI also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 10 months) and price ($1.99 vs $5.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

WiDI costs $1.99 and Keys $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WiDI holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WiDI has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WiDI ships an update every 6 weeks, Keys every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
WiDI versus Keys: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiDIKeys
Price$1.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.4 (8 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#188 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHYPERTIDE SASLittleCodeShop.com

Customer experience

WiDI

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Keys

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

WiDI

No in-app purchases

None

Keys

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WiDI free?
WiDI costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Keys free?
Keys costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WiDI or Keys?
WiDI is rated higher. WiDI averages 4.4 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Keys averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do WiDI or Keys have ads?
Neither WiDI nor Keys shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WiDI or Keys?
WiDI ships an update every 6 weeks, and Keys every 10 months. Most recently, WiDI was updated on July 18, 2026 and Keys on September 10, 2026.

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