Comparison

TouchOSC vs Knobbler

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

Head to head
About

TouchOSC

This app provides a powerful and flexible modular control surface for MIDI and OSC messages. It features a GPU-powered editor for creating complex layouts, cross-network synchronized editing, and a scripting engine for deep customization. It's designed for musicians and audio professionals seeking advanced control over their digital audio workstations and other compatible software.

Highlights
  • Modular control surface
  • Powerful integrated editor
  • MIDI and OSC message support
  • Cross-network synchronized editing
  • Scripting engine for customization
  • Wired & wireless MIDI connections
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Brand-new app. Brand-new powerful editor. We've listened for the past 10 years and we've re-written the application from the ground up - with speed, features and usability in mind. A GPU-powered, fast and advanced integrated editor is part of TouchOSC on all platforms - create the most complex of control layouts with ease and precision. MIDI, OSC and more... TouchOSC supports sending and receiving any number of MIDI and OSC messages on many connections simultaneously. On top of OSC over UDP & TCP, we support every type of wired & wireless MIDI connection your device can offer, including MIDI over USB. Cross-Network. Synchronized editing. Multiple instances of TouchOSC can be connected on the network for synchronized editing. Use the precision of your desktop's mouse and keyboard for fine-grained, detailed editing - test-drive and preview in real-time on all connected touch-screen devices at the same time. Scripting and local messages. A lightweight and fast scripting engine allows deep access to all aspects of your controller and enables limitless customization and interactivity. For less complex tasks we've added local messages - simply wire up controls to transmit or display values; no need to break out the big (code) guns. Easy. This is only the beginning... We've supported and updated TouchOSC Mk1 for more than 10 years and we're planning to do the same for this new version. We've already got a whole bunch of features cooking that were just not quite ready yet. There is so much more to come... Welcome to the next generation!

About

Knobbler

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful, auto-labeling control surface for Ableton Live. Seamlessly navigate tracks, control parameters, and build custom interfaces that save with your Live sets. Keep your focus on creativity without leaving the music-making flow.

Highlights
  • Auto-labeling and auto-coloring control surface
  • Multitouch parameter control
  • Customizable interface saved with Live sets
  • Real-time parameter updates with units
  • Fast track, group, and device navigation
  • Channel strip mixer controls
Features
Read full description

Knobbler turns your iPhone or iPad into an auto-labeling, auto-coloring, multitouch control surface for Ableton Live. 30 day fully-functioning trial of all features. The Mixer, Clips, Session, and Nav pages are available during the trial and after a one-time purchase of Knobbler or a subscription. Ableton Live 12 Suite or Ableton Live 12 Standard with the Max for Live add-on is required. Simply add the free Knobbler4 device to your Live Set and use the Knobbler app to use your iPhone or iPad to control devices and parameters. ** Control every parameter and build a customized interface, including sliders and X-Y pads that is saved with your Live sets. ** Navigate your tracks, groups, racks and devices faster and easier than ever. ** Full screen Cilps and Mixer views keep you connected to your music. ** Session View gives you a combined clips and mixer view for full control. ** Full access to capture and recall rack variations. ** Navigate cue points and locators in your set. ** Engage Spring mode for momentary effects. Visit https://plugins.steinkamp.us/m4l-Knobbler4 to download the Ableton Live device to use with this app. Map parameters in your Ableton Live set to unmapped sliders on the tablet with a single touch. No need to enter and exit a mapping mode. Access every parameter in the currently selected device, directly on the phone or tablet. Parameter mapping configuration is saved with your Live Set, so you can switch between songs with minimal friction. Track, device, and parameter names are kept synchronized with your Live Set as you change them, even track colors! Parameter sliders and values are updated in real time, with the same units (e.g. dB, ms, %) displayed as what you see in Live. Double tap a slider on the tablet to reset the parameter to its default value. Swipe in the Navigation controls on the right side to dive into your tracks, groups, racks, and devices faster than ever before. Swipe in from the left to show a channel strip with familiar mixer controls, including color-coded sends. Works on phones and tablets, even in multi-window view on the latest IOS 26. Knobbler is there to keep you out of the computer and in the creative moment, unlocking more of your music making potential. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

TouchOSC4 screens
Knobbler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Knobbler at Free against TouchOSC's $19.99. Knobbler also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). TouchOSC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (240 vs 16). On 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

Knobbler is free to download; TouchOSC costs $19.99 up front. Knobbler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. TouchOSC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Knobbler holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TouchOSC has 240 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of TouchOSC's written reviews are positive against 88% of Knobbler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchOSC ships an update every 6 weeks, Knobbler every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
TouchOSC versus Knobbler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchOSCKnobbler
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (240 ratings)4.8 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.7% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings240 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#81 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHexler LLCZACHARY STEINKAMP

Customer experience

TouchOSC

All ratings232 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive71.7%
Neutral9.1%
Negative19.2%

Knobbler

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral8.3%
Negative4.2%

Bugs and requests

TouchOSC

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes and won't reopen
  • Connection drops between iPad and computer
  • OSC not transmitting despite showing connected
  • Screen goes blank when typing text
  • Document tree scrolling jumps erratically
Show 7 more
  • Pen input unresponsive on iPad
  • Control surfaces appearing upside down
  • Inconsistent mirror editing from desktop
  • MIDI over USB connection issues on Windows
  • Automatic 'untitled' file creation on connection
  • Studio One integration failures
  • Logic Pro mapping inconsistencies

Requested features

17 requests
  • Bluetooth MIDI support on iOS devices
  • VST/AU plugin version for DAWs
  • Better documentation and video tutorials
  • Cross-control scripting capabilities
  • Image and background customization
Show 12 more
  • Global variables for state management
  • Improved document tree navigation
  • Batch editing for multiple controls
  • Real-time cloud synchronization
  • Radial radio button controls
  • Audio analyzer for frequency/BPM detection
  • Background mode operation
  • Joycon controller support
  • NRPN MIDI support
  • Better grid snapping options
  • Position lock for interface elements
  • Standalone app compilation/export

Knobbler

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

TouchOSC

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Knobbler

Subscriptions2
  • Knobbler Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Knobbler Annual$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Knobbler Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is TouchOSC free?
TouchOSC costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Knobbler free?
Knobbler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TouchOSC or Knobbler?
Knobbler is rated higher. TouchOSC averages 4.6 out of 5 from 240 ratings, while Knobbler averages 4.8 from 16 ratings.
Do TouchOSC or Knobbler have ads?
Neither TouchOSC nor Knobbler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchOSC or Knobbler?
TouchOSC ships an update every 6 weeks, and Knobbler every 9 days. Most recently, TouchOSC was updated on October 27, 2026 and Knobbler on October 21, 2026.

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