Comparison

Finale KeyPad vs MetaGrid Pro

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

Head to head
About

Finale KeyPad

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a music composition tool for Finale on Mac. Avoid purchasing extra hardware by utilizing this app, which connects your iOS device to your computer via WiFi after installing a helper application.

Highlights
  • Compose music in Finale on Mac
  • Use iPhone or iPad as a controller
  • Connects via WiFi
  • Simple setup process
  • No extra hardware needed
Features
Read full description

Use your iPhone or iPad to compose music in Finale on Mac. Why buy additional hardware that you have to carry around, when you can use this great app instead! All you need to do is download the Mac Helper application and connect your Mac and iOS device to the same WiFi. Finale Pad will guide you through the simple setup process. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - Mac with macOS 10.10 or above, Windows 7 or above and Helper app installed; - iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 10 or above; - Shared wireless network connection between your computer and iOS device. HELPER APP Download helper app for Mac/Windows PC from https://cherpake.com/get Ratings are like gold for indie developers like me, please give the app a quick rating on the App Store. • Privacy policy can be found at https://www.cherpake.com/privacy • Terms and Conditions can be found at https://www.cherpake.com/terms

About

MetaGrid Pro

This app provides a touch-native controller for desktop applications, adapting its interface to show the right tools when you switch apps. It offers deep integrations, customizable layouts, powerful macros, and advanced DAW/MIDI control for faster workflows.

Highlights
  • Adaptive interface based on active app
  • Deep integration with creative apps
  • Full layout customization
  • Ready-to-use presets for major apps
  • Multi-step macro creation
  • Gesture pads for intuitive control
  • Advanced DAW and MIDI tools
Features
Read full description

Experience a touch-native controller that goes beyond hardware and traditional control apps. Switch apps, and MetaGrid Pro instantly adapts to show the right tools. Work faster with deep app integrations, customizable layouts, powerful macros, advanced DAW/MIDI control, and a growing library of ready-to-use presets. CORE FEATURES: • Adaptive Interface Your layouts update the moment you switch apps, windows, or tools. MetaGrid Pro adapts in real time — changing controls based on the active app, frontmost window, incoming MIDI, keyboard shortcuts, or Apple Scripts. For supported DAWs, it can also switch layouts based on track selection to stay in sync with your workflow. • Deep App Integration Control creative apps on Mac and PC more efficiently. On macOS, access every menu command in tools like Photoshop, Figma, Blender, and DaVinci Resolve — even ones without shortcuts. Run Apple Shortcuts and Keyboard Maestro macros directly, with no shortcut assignments required. • Full Customization Design every detail of your workspace. Resize any object, arrange flexible layouts, and style each grid with skins, adjustable chrome, and backgrounds — including curated textures and images. Every object is fully customizable with palettes, colors, layout options, thousands of icons, or your own artwork. • Presets Start fast with ready-to-use presets for major Apple apps, leading DAWs (Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, UAD Luna), audio tools like iZotope RX, design apps like Blender and Figma, and game audio systems like Wwise and FMOD. All presets are editable for Premium users, with optional expert-built multi-grid presets available for advanced workflows. • Master Control Turn repetitive tasks into instant actions with multi-step macros. Combine shortcuts, text insertions, menu commands, MIDI messages, pauses, and more — all from a single tap. • Gesture Pads Control apps with futuristic, highly responsive gesture pads. Multi-finger taps, swipes, and pans offer fast, intuitive navigation and fluid interaction. • Advanced Button Types Use momentary and latching switches, menu-driven buttons, multiple button layouts, and interactive switch groups that adapt to your workflow and provide clear feedback. • Advanced DAW / MIDI Tools Control your DAW with shortcut-free integration. Access extensive command sets in Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, Studio One, and Ableton Live. MetaGrid Pro can switch layouts based on track selection or active editors in supported DAWs. Perform and shape sound with the Piano Keyboard, Drum Pads, and XY Pad — all from a touch-native interface. GENEROUS FREE VERSION: • One fully customizable workspace • Functional MIDI fader grid • Preview all presets (macros disabled) GO PREMIUM FOR COMPLETE CONTROL: • Unlimited workspaces, grids, and profiles • Macro triggering everywhere • Fully functional presets for major Apple apps • Popular presets for leading Mac and PC apps • Optional expert-made presets for advanced workflows • Advanced DAW command integration • Import and export profiles, workspaces, grids, and objects FROM US TO YOU: MetaGrid Pro is designed to give you more power, more speed, and more freedom than traditional controller tools. Going Premium helps us push that vision even further. COMMAND YOUR WORKFLOW. ONE TAP AT A TIME. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Finale KeyPad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MetaGrid Pro at none against Finale KeyPad's shown. MetaGrid Pro also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 49%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Finale KeyPad sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month and MetaGrid Pro sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for Finale KeyPad against 4.0 for MetaGrid Pro. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 26 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 49% of Finale KeyPad's written reviews are positive against 65% of MetaGrid Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Finale KeyPad ships an update every 2 weeks, MetaGrid Pro every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Finale KeyPad versus MetaGrid Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFinale KeyPadMetaGrid Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (52 ratings)4.0 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.7% of reviews64.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings52 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPad, Mac
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB338 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRemote Sunrise LTDMetaSystem Solutions Sp. z o.o.

Customer experience

Finale KeyPad

All ratings52 ratings
Positive71.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive48.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative48.7%

MetaGrid Pro

All ratings26 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral2.9%
Negative32.4%

Bugs and requests

Finale KeyPad

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Pad is slightly off sync
  • Hitting # sign switches to arrow page
  • Loading sign constantly spins
  • No settings work
  • App does not work
Show 6 more
  • Keys on top row and right column send to navigation
  • Coding error suspected
  • Keypad 6 to 8, 8 to Windows button
  • # and b are reversed
  • Cannot undo triplets
  • Keypad mapping issues

Requested features

6 requests
  • Lifetime purchase option
  • More measure tools
  • Expression tool
  • A tab with tools
  • Customizable keys for specific functions
Show 1 more
  • Integrate apps

MetaGrid Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Finale KeyPad

Subscriptions4
  • Finale KeyPad Pro - 1 month$0.491 Month
  • Finale KeyPad - 1 month$0.491 Month
  • Finale KeyPad Pro - 1 year7 Days trial$1.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Finale KeyPad - 1 year7 Days trial$2.001 Year
One-time2
  • Finale KeyPad Pro - lifetime$5.00
  • Finale KeyPad - Lifetime$5.00
10 purchases

MetaGrid Pro

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$44.991 Year
One-time8
  • Menu Button$3.99
  • Pads$4.99
  • XY Pad$4.99
Show 5 more
  • LP Media Composer Grid$4.99
  • Gesture Pad$14.99
  • MetaGrid Pro Full Version$39.99
  • GridVista$49.99
  • MetaGrid Pro - Lifetime Access$199.00

Questions

Is Finale KeyPad free?
Finale KeyPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MetaGrid Pro free?
MetaGrid Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Finale KeyPad or MetaGrid Pro?
MetaGrid Pro is rated higher. Finale KeyPad averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while MetaGrid Pro averages 4.0 from 26 ratings.
Do Finale KeyPad or MetaGrid Pro have ads?
Finale KeyPad shows ads; MetaGrid Pro does not.
Which is updated more often, Finale KeyPad or MetaGrid Pro?
Finale KeyPad ships an update every 2 weeks, and MetaGrid Pro every 3 weeks. Most recently, Finale KeyPad was updated on November 3, 2026 and MetaGrid Pro on November 3, 2026.

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