Comparison

Pianist vs SynthBridge MIDI Synth

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

Head to head
About

Pianist

Experience a realistic piano on your mobile device with a full 88-key keyboard. Record, overdub, and save your musical compositions. Features include virtual pedals, dual keyboard layout, and a configurable metronome for practice.

Highlights
  • Full 88 key piano keyboard
  • Record and save compositions
  • Overdubbing and note removal
  • Virtual soft and sustain pedals
  • Dual keyboard layout
  • Configurable metronome
Features
Read full description

The first widely available mobile multi-touch piano, Pianist has been featured in a number of Apple advertising campaigns and was one of the 'Awesome iOS4 Apps' in an Apple iTunes promotion. Sound On Sound magazine listed Pianist in its pick of the Top 20 iPhone Apps, and T3 Magazine in its Top 100 iPhone Apps. Pianist has also been recommended by media sources such as the Mail On Sunday and Fox News. Pianist is considered so influential that it has now been listed as one of three examples of musical instrument apps in the primary academic reference: "The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments". - Full 88 key piano keyboard sampled from a real piano for maximum authenticity. - Record and save your compositions for later playback. Overdub as many times as you want, and remove unwanted notes. - Virtual "Soft" and "Sustain" pedals, and expression depending on where you press the key. - Optional dual keyboard layout allows you to reach even more keys without the need to scroll. Up to four octaves can be displayed and played at once. - Stay in time with a completely configurable metronome. To take your music creation to the next step, be sure to also check out our new app: Looptical Music Studio.

About

SynthBridge MIDI Synth

Transform your device into a versatile MIDI sound module and virtual piano. Load SoundFont files, connect controllers, and utilize expressive performance tools for practice, production, or live music.

Highlights
  • MIDI controller support (Bluetooth, USB, Network)
  • SoundFont (SF2/SF3) loading and playback
  • Multi-touch piano keyboard and drum pads
  • Pitch bend and modulation wheels
  • MIDI file playback and recording
  • Customizable velocity curves
Features
Read full description

Connect your MIDI keyboard, choose a sound, and play. SynthBridge turns your phone or tablet into a portable sound module and practice workspace. You can also start with the on-screen piano and drum pads. Your sounds: use the built-in library or import SF2/SF3 SoundFonts. Layer sounds and adjust their balance, effects and keyboard ranges. Your keyboard: connect compatible USB MIDI or Bluetooth MIDI devices. Control supported parameters with MIDI CC messages. Your practice: play MIDI files, follow the note visualization, and combine a metronome, loops and Style accompaniment. Your ideas: record MIDI performances, keep named drafts, preview takes and export MIDI files. MIDI files can also be converted to WAV or AAC audio. Your setup: save performance scenes and return to your sounds and playing settings. Use portrait or landscape layouts on phones and tablets. Some features and resources require in-app purchases. iOS or iPadOS 15.0 or later. USB and Bluetooth MIDI require compatible devices and accessories. https://synth.64bit.us/privacy.html https://synth.64bit.us/terms.html

Screenshots

Pianist4 screens
SynthBridge MIDI Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SynthBridge MIDI Synth at Free against Pianist's $3.99. SynthBridge MIDI Synth also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 68%). Pianist's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On ratings volume, 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

SynthBridge MIDI Synth is free to download; Pianist costs $3.99 up front. SynthBridge MIDI Synth sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Pianist asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SynthBridge MIDI Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Pianist's written reviews are positive against 100% of SynthBridge MIDI Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pianist ships an update every 6 months, SynthBridge MIDI Synth every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pianist versus SynthBridge MIDI Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPianistSynthBridge MIDI Synth
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (8 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMooCowMusic Ltd.啟东 徐

Customer experience

Pianist

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews306 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral8.2%
Negative23.5%

SynthBridge MIDI Synth

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Pianist

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Keyboard gets stuck or changes configuration
  • App freezes or crashes after extended use
  • Sustain pedal not functioning properly
  • Bluetooth speaker connectivity issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for iPhone 5/newer displays
  • Implement MIDI export/import
  • Integrate with music streaming apps
  • Expand sound library with more instruments
  • Improve scrolling and key accessibility

SynthBridge MIDI Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Pianist

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

SynthBridge MIDI Synth

Subscriptions2
  • Cloud Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Cloud Yearly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time5
  • Supporter Tip$0.99
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Supporter Plus$4.99
Show 2 more
  • SynthBridge Pro$4.99
  • Supporter Patron$9.99

Questions

Is Pianist free?
Pianist costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SynthBridge MIDI Synth free?
SynthBridge MIDI Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pianist or SynthBridge MIDI Synth?
SynthBridge MIDI Synth is rated higher. Pianist averages 3.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while SynthBridge MIDI Synth averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Pianist or SynthBridge MIDI Synth have ads?
Neither Pianist nor SynthBridge MIDI Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pianist or SynthBridge MIDI Synth?
Pianist ships an update every 6 months, and SynthBridge MIDI Synth every 11 days. Most recently, Pianist was updated on October 17, 2026 and SynthBridge MIDI Synth on October 13, 2026.

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