MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) vs CastPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock)
Control Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers from your iPhone or iPad. Manage switcher settings, audio, media, and create custom layouts. Automate transitions and control keyers with ease.
- Switcher control
- Macro organization
- Audio mixing
- Media pool management
- Customizable layouts
- SuperSource transitions
- Keyer control
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MixEffect is a professional tool for controlling Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers from your iPhone or iPad. MixEffect’s familiar interface gives you quick access to virtually everything you need to run your video productions: switcher control, macros, audio, media, editing palettes, recording and streaming. MixEffect then turns the dial past ten with animated SuperSource transitions, Video Follows Audio, customizable layouts, and Shortcuts support. Manage your live productions confidently with MixEffect! # PRICING MixEffect is a free download from the App Store. Features are limited to creating new switcher connection and streaming service entries, Program/Preview, Fader Bar control, and running the ATEM Simulator. Want more? Try out MixEffect Pro over a generous 30 day period. MixEffect Pro brings full switcher control, SuperSource, Video Follows Audio, macro organization, streaming, recording, editing palettes, custom layouts, and much more! A single In-App purchase unlocks MixEffect Pro -- no subscriptions, ads, or hidden fees. # FEATURES MixEffect is packed full of features to control your ATEM switchers. ## SWITCHER MANAGEMENT Control multiple ATEM switchers. Sync your switcher settings between all of your iCloud-connected devices. ## PANELS / BUTTONS Customize the look of your switcher interface with separate iPhone, Landscape, and iPad-optimized layouts. Choose from 20 panels to include in your layouts. ## SUPERSOURCE Become a SuperSource master on your ATEM Mini Extreme and Mini Extreme ISO. Automatically animate transitions when switching between SuperSource layouts! Use drag and drop to rearrange your boxes. Save your favorite preset layouts and share them with others. ## AUDIO Control audio on ATEM switchers. Adjust each audio source’s input gain, fader gain, frames delay, and pan settings. ## MACROS Give your macros the gift of icons, colors, filtering, and sorting. Choose from three different display layouts: Grid, Buttons, and List. Access all of your macros from the virtual switcher interface. ## MEDIA Upload still images from your Photo Library into your switcher’s Media Pool. ## TRANSITIONS Access all the transitions supported by your switcher such as Mix, Dip, Wipe, and DVE, not just the ones wired to hardware buttons. ## DOWNSTREAM KEYERS Missing that DSK On Air button on your ATEM Mini? It's there in MixEffect! ## UPSTREAM KEYERS Adjust your Luma, Chroma, Pattern, and DVE settings for your upstream keyers. Use touch to easily set the chroma sample and change the position of your DVE frame. ## AUTOMATIONS Control your ATEM switcher with your voice and Shortcuts. Automatically switch inputs, change SuperSource layouts, and run macros when your audio levels rise or fall below a certain threshold. Enjoy extensive keyboard shortcuts throughout the app. ## COLOR GENERATORS Change your color sources without having to dig through palettes. ## HYPERDECK Control up to four HyperDecks from MixEffect. ## AUX Set the sources for all of your auxiliary outputs. ## STREAMING Add streaming services, servers, and profiles without having to know XML. Set a default profile and server for each of your streaming services. Import and export the Streaming.xml files supported by the ATEM Mini Pro, Pro ISO, Mini Extreme, and Mini Extreme ISO line of switchers. ## RECORDING Control your disk recordings from your iPhone or iPad. Switch disks with a tap and see how much time is available for recording. ## SECURITY Prevent unwanted access to MixEffect with Face ID (or device passcode lock). Activate View Only Mode so people can see what’s happening on the switcher without the ability to change anything. ## SWITCHER SETTINGS Set your switcher’s video mode, change the labels of sources, configure Multiview, and save your switcher's startup settings. ## SIMULATOR MixEffect features a simulated ATEM 1 M/E Production 4K switcher for testing purposes.
CastPad
Control Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers remotely from your tablet or phone. Customize your control panel with only the necessary functions, making live production more flexible and efficient.
- Remote ATEM switcher control
- Customizable control interface
- HyperDeck and streaming encoder control
- Quick setup via network discovery
- Large, clear buttons for live use
- Supports various Blackmagic Design hardware
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Your Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher — without sitting behind the big console. Guide & live demo - https://castpad.app (try it free in your browser) CastPad puts the controls you actually use on one screen, on the tablet or phone in your hands. You build the layout, so it fits your show — not someone else's idea of a control panel. ▶ Up and running in seconds Open the app and it scans your network, finding your ATEM and your HyperDeck and streaming devices for you. No fiddly setup — just connect. ▶ Lay it out your way Pick the cards you need, place them. Hide what you don't use — and pull buttons back out just as easily. ▶ Fast where it counts Big, clear buttons and instant on-air indication keep your hands ahead of the show. Glide keyers, DVE, and SuperSource between saved positions — no keyframes, no macros to write. ▶ HyperDeck & streaming too Scrub HyperDecks precisely with jog/shuttle, hit record, switch slots — all in one place. Control streaming encoders as well. ▶ Nothing to worry about Connects straight to your ATEM over your local network. No account, no sign-in, no data collection. Available in English and Korean. ■ Default cards (all hideable) Program/Preview · USK (keyer) · Transition · T-Bar · Audio · DSK · On Air ■ Add-on cards SuperSource · AUX Output · USK DVE · Audio (more) · HyperDeck · Streaming Encoder · Macro · Multiview (coming soon) ■ Supported devices • ATEM: virtually any ATEM switcher — Mini / Mini Pro / Mini Extreme, SDI series, Constellation HD·4K·8K, Television Studio HD·4K·HD8, Production·Broadcast Studio, and more (capabilities detected automatically on connect) • HyperDeck: Studio (HD Mini, HD Plus, HD Pro, 4K Pro, Mini, 12G), Shuttle HD, Extreme 8K HDR • Streaming: Blackmagic Web Presenter / Streaming Encoder (HD & 4K) ■ Coming soon • Multiview card — see the multiview over USB capture and cut by tapping a window • Expanded audio settings • More cards and features on the way ▶ Guide & live demo - https://castpad.app (try it free in your browser) For live production, churches, schools, and events — run your show at a glance, from anywhere on the floor. CastPad is a third-party companion app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Blackmagic Design. ATEM and HyperDeck are trademarks of Blackmagic Design.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) at Free against CastPad's $29.99. CastPad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) is free to download; CastPad costs $29.99 up front. MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. CastPad asks for nothing beyond the download.
MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) ships an update every 2 months, CastPad every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) | CastPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (131 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 131 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 159 MB | 98 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Adam Tow | CastPad |
Customer experience
MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock)
CastPad
Bugs and requests
MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock)
Reported bugs
10 issues- App crashes when selecting switcher
- Trial mode resets after app closure
- Freezing issues with ATEM hardware
- Connection recognition failures
- Macro instability causing hardware malfunction
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- Pro purchase not restoring after reinstall
- Trial expiration notification despite Pro purchase
- Incompatibility with Television Studio HD8
- Crash on startup after update
- Inconsistent macro behavior
Requested features
14 requests- Color correction for cameras
- Multi-row button label text support
- Auto-connect feature like ATEM Software Control
- SuperSource configuration grouping
- Title addition for streaming services
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- More than 4 input boxes
- H2R graphics integration
- Custom URL and media playback
- AirPlay source input and output
- Advanced audio EQ and volume limiting
- Live background preview in multiview
- Remote connection from anywhere
- Settings backup to cloud services
- Editable button labels for Keyers
CastPad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock)
- 30-Day TrialFree
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Large Tip$4.99
- Mega Tip$9.99
- MixEffect Pro$49.99
CastPad
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) free?
Is CastPad free?
Do MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) or CastPad have ads?
Which is updated more often, MixEffect (Trial & Pro Unlock) or CastPad?
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