Pianist vs SynthBridge MIDI Synth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Full 88 key piano keyboard
- Record and save compositions
- Overdubbing and note removal
- Virtual soft and sustain pedals
- Dual keyboard layout
- Configurable metronome
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Pianist | SynthBridge MIDI Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.6 (8 ratings) | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 76 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MooCowMusic Ltd. | 啟东 徐 |
Customer experience
Pianist
SynthBridge MIDI Synth
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
Pianist
No in-app purchases
SynthBridge MIDI Synth
- Cloud Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Cloud Yearly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
- Supporter Tip$0.99
- Remove Ads$1.99
- Supporter Plus$4.99
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- SynthBridge Pro$4.99
- Supporter Patron$9.99
Questions
Is Pianist free?
Is SynthBridge MIDI Synth free?
Which has better reviews, Pianist or SynthBridge MIDI Synth?
Do Pianist or SynthBridge MIDI Synth have ads?
Which is updated more often, Pianist or SynthBridge MIDI Synth?
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