# MIDISpy vs ChannelStrip

The clearest difference is price: MIDISpy at Free against ChannelStrip's $0.99. MIDISpy also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 39%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 66 months). ChannelStrip's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and chart position (#143 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

MIDISpy is free to download; ChannelStrip costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ChannelStrip holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of MIDISpy's written reviews are positive against 39% of ChannelStrip's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MIDISpy ships an update every 3 weeks, ChannelStrip every 66 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MIDISpy | ChannelStrip |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midispy/id1444652196/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/channelstrip/id1460842455/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **71.4% of reviews** | 38.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 66 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#143** |
| Size | 6 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Audio Damage, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248448317) |

## What reviewers say

### MIDISpy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midispy/id1444652196)

This utility helps monitor MIDI connections across various platforms. It offers basic filtering for different MIDI message types and supports multiple connectivity options.

**Highlights:** Standalone and AUv3 support, Basic message filtering, Inter-App MIDI, USB MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, Network MIDI

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ChannelStrip

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/channelstrip/id1460842455)

**Currently charting:** #143 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app provides essential audio processing tools for music production, including a noise gate, equalizer, and compressor. It offers smooth control for mixing and tonal shaping, with a characterful output stage for adding warmth.

**Highlights:** Noise gate with adjustable envelope, PEV-modeled equalizer for tone shaping, Rough Rider-based compressor, Input/output gain control, Mute and bypass functions, AUv3 plugin support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MIDISpy free?

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

### Is ChannelStrip free?

ChannelStrip costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MIDISpy or ChannelStrip?

ChannelStrip is rated higher. MIDISpy averages 3.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while ChannelStrip averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do MIDISpy or ChannelStrip have ads?

Neither MIDISpy nor ChannelStrip shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MIDISpy or ChannelStrip?

MIDISpy ships an update every 3 weeks, and ChannelStrip every 66 months. Most recently, MIDISpy was updated on November 2, 2026 and ChannelStrip on November 13, 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.*