# X/Y PAL vs Skym

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: X/Y PAL at none against Skym's 4. X/Y PAL also leads on price ($1.99 vs $7.99) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). Skym's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months) and chart position (#199 vs unranked). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

X/Y PAL costs $1.99 and Skym $7.99 up front. Skym sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. X/Y PAL asks for nothing beyond the download.

X/Y PAL holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 22 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 80% and 80% positive.

X/Y PAL ships an update every 8 months, Skym monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | X/Y PAL | Skym |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | **[4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xy-pal/id1469271950/reviews)** | [4.3 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skym/id1546169685/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **22** |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#199** |
| Size | 7 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.3** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DANIEL BRUEGGE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528292926) | [ResGuide LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501968996) |

## What reviewers say

### X/Y PAL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xy-pal/id1469271950)

This app serves as an X/Y pad MIDI controller, allowing users to manage up to 8 parameters per pad. Customize MIDI channels, control change messages, value ranges, colors, and names for each parameter. Visualize CC value changes with on-screen bars.

**Highlights:** X/Y pad MIDI controller, Control up to 8 parameters per pad, Customizable MIDI channel and CC messages, Configurable CC value range, Parameter naming and coloring, MIDI output device selection, Visualized CC value changes

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Skym

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skym/id1546169685)

**Currently charting:** #199 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Control your Ableton devices with expressive touch gestures. This MIDI controller app lets you manipulate four parameters simultaneously, offering instant variability and interest to your sounds. It requires Ableton on macOS and does not generate sound on its own.

**Highlights:** Touch control for Ableton devices, Control 4 parameters simultaneously, X, Y, Speed, and Gate parameters, USB or Bluetooth connection, Free starter Ableton project included, Expressive sound design

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heat Map | $4.99 | one-time |
| Warp Speed | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pulse Cell | $9.99 | one-time |
| Life Flower | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is X/Y PAL free?

X/Y PAL costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Skym free?

Skym costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, X/Y PAL or Skym?

X/Y PAL is rated higher. X/Y PAL averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Skym averages 4.3 from 22 ratings.

### Do X/Y PAL or Skym have ads?

Neither X/Y PAL nor Skym shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, X/Y PAL or Skym?

X/Y PAL ships an update every 8 months, and Skym monthly. Most recently, X/Y PAL was updated on November 6, 2026 and Skym on November 3, 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.*