# mfxMonitor vs StepBud

The clearest difference is price: mfxMonitor at Free against StepBud's $4.99. mfxMonitor also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). StepBud's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

mfxMonitor is free to download; StepBud costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

StepBud holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StepBud has 38 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of mfxMonitor's written reviews are positive against 71% of StepBud's.

mfxMonitor ships an update every 2 months, StepBud fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | mfxMonitor | StepBud |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mfxmonitor/id1451193551/reviews) | **[4.4 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **38** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **70.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#200** |
| Size | 2 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Audeonic Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/351607509) | [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853) |

## What reviewers say

### mfxMonitor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mfxmonitor/id1451193551)

This utility displays incoming MIDI events in both text and hex format with timestamps. It offers a clear button to reset the event log and is part of a series of powerful MIDI plugins for music production.

**Highlights:** MIDI event display, Textual and hex format, Timestamped events, Clear event log, AUv3 compatible, CoreMIDI compatible

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### StepBud

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app is a versatile MIDI sequencer that allows for unlimited steps and detailed control over each step's parameters. It integrates with other music apps and supports various sequencing modes for creative performances.

**Highlights:** Unlimited steps, Step parameter control (note, velocity, rate, etc.), Custom MIDI CC messages, Step locking and skipping, Master fader with copy/shift modes, Step Editor for detailed note editing, Arpeggio modes (up, down, random)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is mfxMonitor free?

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

### Is StepBud free?

StepBud costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, mfxMonitor or StepBud?

StepBud is rated higher. mfxMonitor averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while StepBud averages 4.4 from 38 ratings.

### Do mfxMonitor or StepBud have ads?

Neither mfxMonitor nor StepBud shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, mfxMonitor or StepBud?

mfxMonitor ships an update every 2 months, and StepBud fortnightly. Most recently, mfxMonitor was updated on October 9, 2026 and StepBud on October 24, 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.*