Comparison

NS MIDI Player vs Busker Stage

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

Head to head
About

NS MIDI Player

This application allows users to play MIDI files on their Apple devices. It supports various MIDI formats, custom sound fonts, and synchronized lyrics. Advanced features like audio export and MIDI output connection are available via a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Play standard MIDI files (.mid, .midi, .kar)
  • Support for custom SoundFonts (.sf2, .dls)
  • View time-synced lyrics
  • Connect to MIDI outputs
  • Export MIDI as audio
  • Queue multiple songs
  • Background audio and AirPlay support
Features
Read full description

NS MIDI Player is a simple MIDI player for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Features include: - Free! - No ads, subscriptions, or data collection - Play standard MIDI files (SMF) with file extensions .mid, .midi, and .kar - GM and GS standards supported with the default SoundFont - Use custom SoundFonts with file extension .sf2 or .dls - View time-synced lyrics - Connect to MIDI outputs with Core MIDI* - Export MIDI files as audio* - Queue multiple songs to be played in order* - "Open with" from other apps, such as Safari - Integrated with the Files app (iOS and iPadOS) - Supports drag-and-drop - Supports Quick Look previews - Share MIDI files directly from the app - Supports background audio and AirPlay - Lock screen and Control Center controls with scrubbing - Gapless repeat mode - Playback speed control with tap tempo - Customizable reverb - Transpose* Note: Features marked with an asterisk (*) require upgrading to the full version before they can be used. This is a one-time purchase shared across all of your devices and helps support further development. All other features are free. Included FluidR3Mono GM SoundFont is licensed under the MIT License. Included Sample MIDI file is "Hard Times" from http://www.soundswell.co.uk/pages/swmids.htm and is in the public domain. This app and its creator are not affiliated with the creators of these files in any way.

About

Busker Stage

Features
Read full description

The Busker Stage brings emerging musical talent directly to your smartphone. Sign up, upload your videos, and join the new digital music scene where every artist gets their chance. After our team reviews your content, your videos will be published on The Busker Stage's official profiles, giving you instant visibility. Accumulate experience points with every view, interaction, and challenge completed. Unlock exclusive badges, level up, and participate in weekly competitions to earn a spot in our hall of fame. Whether you're a singer-songwriter, beatmaker, acoustic duo, or rapper, The Busker Stage is your new stage. Connect with other artists, grow your fanbase, and put your music on the move. Download The Busker Stage and step onto the stage. The audience is waiting.

Screenshots

NS MIDI Player2 screens
Busker Stage4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Busker Stage at none against NS MIDI Player's 5. Busker Stage also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.5). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. NS MIDI Player sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Busker Stage asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NS MIDI Player ships an update every 3 months, Busker Stage fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NS MIDI Player versus Busker Stage: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNS MIDI PlayerBusker Stage
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (210 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings210 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.515.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size130 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNitin SeshadriEico Publishing LTD.

Bugs and requests

NS MIDI Player

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes frequently during normal use
  • Settings menu causes crashes
  • Export/conversion button force closes app
  • Soundfont file picker fails to open
  • Audio initialization errors with some soundfonts
Show 9 more
  • App freezes after several minutes of use
  • Some MIDI files only play with default soundfont
  • Reverb and echo instruments play at incorrect volumes
  • App stops playing when sent to background
  • File extension case sensitivity (.mid vs .MID)
  • Large MIDI files (1.2MB+) fail to load or load extremely slowly
  • Soundfont compatibility issues with newer formats
  • Audio output issues despite correct system settings
  • App reappears on iPad after deletion from Mac

Requested features

16 requests
  • Playlist creation and management
  • Instrument selection/replacement per channel
  • Background playback with screen off
  • Auto-play all files in folder
  • Pitch adjustment capability
Show 11 more
  • MIDI file browser within app
  • Visual feedback (piano roll, notes, chords)
  • Support for additional formats (MMF, MXMF, PMD, MLD)
  • DLS level 1 support
  • Drag and drop from Finder
  • File deletion button
  • Track history/recently played list
  • Persistent soundfont loading
  • Loop sections of MIDI files
  • External control via Bluetooth
  • Batch file processing

Busker Stage

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

NS MIDI Player

One-time5
  • Thanks$0.99
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
Show 2 more
  • NS MIDI Player (Full Unlock)$7.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
None

Busker Stage

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NS MIDI Player free?
NS MIDI Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Busker Stage free?
Busker Stage is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NS MIDI Player or Busker Stage have ads?
Neither NS MIDI Player nor Busker Stage shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NS MIDI Player or Busker Stage?
NS MIDI Player ships an update every 3 months, and Busker Stage fortnightly. Most recently, NS MIDI Player was updated on November 3, 2026 and Busker Stage on October 28, 2026.

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