GM MIDI Player vs bFaaaP Pro & Switch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GM MIDI Player
Play standard MIDI files on your iOS device with a built-in software synthesizer. Organize your music into playlists and share them seamlessly with other apps. Enjoy background playback and AirPlay support for a versatile listening experience.
- Plays standard MIDI files (.mid)
- Built-in software synthesizer
- Create and manage playlists
- Seamless iOS file manager integration
- Background Audio playback
- AirPlay support
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MIDI Still Lives! (Note: This is one of the first iOS apps we ever made and we still use it very often and want to share this pleasure with you. MIDI files remain fascinating and must never die!) GM MIDI Player is a free app for playing standard MIDI files (SMF) with the file extension *.mid, which integrates seamlessly into the iOS operating system (version 11 and higher). A software synthesizer in GM / GS standard is built-in. Play all the MIDI files from the Internet or the file system of your iOS device and create and manage your own collections and share these with other apps and people. - seamlessly integrated into the iOS file manager (files app) - iCloud and file sharing supported - "Open with" and "Send to" integrated - plays nearly all MIDI files in SMF format 0 and 1 - contains already hand-picked MIDI files in different styles - integrated software synthesizer with sequencer - 16-times mutitimbral, 128-part polyphonic - Over 300 'instruments' and various drum maps - GM / GS standards supported - Background Audio playback and Notification Center Support - AirPlay support of audio playback - supports connected remote controls for pause / resume - Help file and integrated connection to other Internet resources - Creation and management of own playlists possible Note: GM MIDI Player can NOT output MIDI signals via CoreMIDI or somehow interact with other audio apps (IAA). Also, to create and edit GM compatible files, please use an external MIDI sequencer or editor that is specialized for this. For questions and suggestions or problems, please contact support: support@digitster.com.
bFaaaP Pro & Switch
This app works with a special device to allow individuals with leg disabilities, young children, and the elderly to play the piano with sustained tones using head movements. An iOS device detects head motion and transmits signals to activate an electric piano pedal.
- Head motion detection via iOS device
- Sustained piano tones without foot pedal
- Electric piano pedal activation
- Accessibility for leg disabilities
- User-friendly setup guide
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bFaaaP Pro & Switch turns head movements into piano sustain-pedal control, so you can play the pedal completely foot-free. It is the companion app for the bFaaaP barrier-free assist pedals — one app that drives two devices, depending on your instrument: - bFaaaP Pro (acoustic pianos): a motorized device that physically presses the real sustain pedal. It anchors with an inflatable "airback" — non-destructive, no bolting — and self-calibrates. - bFaaaP Switch (digital pianos): switches the sustain electronically through the pedal jack. Small, light and motor-free. Using the front camera, the app detects the angle of your head and converts it into pedal ON/OFF signals, sent over Bluetooth Low Energy to the bFaaaP device on your instrument. The same head-angle control works for both devices. This lets people who cannot use a foot pedal — including wheelchair users and players with limited leg mobility — enjoy expressive, pedal-based performance. WHO IT IS FOR - Pianists who cannot operate a foot pedal - Music therapy, special-needs and inclusive music education - Anyone exploring accessible, barrier-free music making HOW IT WORKS - Detects head angle with the front TrueDepth camera (ARKit face tracking) - Converts the angle into sustain pedal ON/OFF - Sends the signal over Bluetooth Low Energy to bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch PRIVACY - The camera is used ONLY to read your head/face angle. - That value is processed on-device, used to generate the pedal signal, then discarded. - No face data, image or video is stored or shared with anyone. AN OPEN-SOURCE PROJECT bFaaaP is an open-source, open-hardware barrier-free project by Shishido & Associates. The source code, hardware build details, the story behind it, and ways to contribute are public: - Project & community: https://bfaaap.com - Source code (open source): https://github.com/bfaaap/bfaaap_opensource - Developer & related services: https://saaipf.com SEE IT IN ACTION Watch bFaaaP being played in real concerts and recitals, with setup and how-to guides: - How the system works (overview): https://youtu.be/iyRqPa8TLgE - Live concert — grand piano + bFaaaP Pro: https://youtu.be/V3cXeNW9jXY - How to use bFaaaP Switch (electronic piano): https://youtu.be/XOVENtBsOp4 - Full performance & demo collection (English): https://saaipf.com/en/bfaaap/#videos - Build & set up your own — step-by-step guide (English): https://bfaaap.com/en/build/ - All videos (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAvTy1k8rHs2WrEKPx1amg The app's source code is open and free on GitHub, so anyone can build and run it themselves. This App Store version is free, too — just install it and start playing. If you would like to help keep bFaaaP free and open for everyone, donations and support are always welcome (see the links above and at saaipf.com). Thank you for your support. You will need a bFaaaP Pro or bFaaaP Switch device to control a real pedal. Both are open hardware — visit bfaaap.com to learn how they are built and how to take part.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: bFaaaP Pro & Switch at Free against GM MIDI Player's $9.99. bFaaaP Pro & Switch also leads on update cadence (every 20 months vs every 52 months). GM MIDI Player's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.5). 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
bFaaaP Pro & Switch is free to download; GM MIDI Player costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
GM MIDI Player ships an update every 52 months, bFaaaP Pro & Switch every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GM MIDI Player | bFaaaP Pro & Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (19 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 52 months | Every 20 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jens Guell | Tomoyuki Shishido |
In-app purchases
GM MIDI Player
No in-app purchases
bFaaaP Pro & Switch
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is GM MIDI Player free?
Is bFaaaP Pro & Switch free?
Do GM MIDI Player or bFaaaP Pro & Switch have ads?
Which is updated more often, GM MIDI Player or bFaaaP Pro & Switch?
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