Comparison

TouchOSC Mk1 vs MIDI Designer Pro X

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

Head to head
About

TouchOSC Mk1

This app provides a customizable OSC and MIDI control surface for iOS devices. It allows remote control of music software and hardware, sending and receiving OSC and MIDI messages over Wi-Fi or CoreMIDI. Users can create custom layouts with various controls and utilize accelerometer data.

Highlights
  • Modular OSC and MIDI control surface
  • Send/receive OSC and MIDI messages
  • Wi-Fi and CoreMIDI support
  • Customizable touch controls
  • Accelerometer data sending
  • Free layout editor available
Features
Read full description

TouchOSC is a modular OSC and MIDI control surface for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad by hexler. It supports sending and receiving Open Sound Control and MIDI messages over Wi-Fi and CoreMIDI inter-app communication and compatible hardware. The application allows to remote control and receive feedback from software and hardware that implement the OSC or MIDI protocols such as Apple Logic Pro/Express, Ableton Live, Renoise, Pure Data, Max/MSP/Jitter, Max for Live, OSCulator, VDMX, Resolume Avenue/Arena, Modul8, Plogue Bidule, NI Traktor, NI Reaktor, Quartz Composer, Supercollider, vvvv, Isadora and many others. The interface provides a number of customizable touch controls to send and receive messages: Faders / Rotary controls / Encoder controls / Push buttons / Toggle buttons / XY pads / Multi-faders / Multi-push / Multi-toggles / Multi-xy pads / LEDs / Labels / Time & battery displays Additionally the program can send Accelerometer data. The application comes with example layouts and completely custom layouts can be constructed using the free TouchOSC Editor application. Please see https://hexler.net/touchosc for more information, video demonstrations and download the free layout editor application for macOS, Windows and Linux and the free TouchOSC Bridge utility to easily control any MIDI-capable application on your computer.

About

MIDI Designer Pro X

This app is a professional-grade, customizable MIDI controller for music production. It allows users to control any MIDI-enabled hardware or software, with extensive community-created layouts and powerful 'superpowers' for advanced MIDI manipulation. It supports AUv3 plugins and offers robust network, Bluetooth, and USB MIDI communication.

Highlights
  • Control any MIDI-enabled hardware/software
  • AUv3 MIDI Processor Extension
  • Reliable MIDI communication (Network, Bluetooth, USB)
  • Extensive user layout library (350+ layouts)
  • Powerful 'Superpowers' for MIDI manipulation
  • Community support and layout sharing
Features
Read full description

MIDI Designer Pro X (MDPx) is the culmination of over a decade of improvement. We launched MIDI Designer Pro in 2012 and relaunched it in 2016 as MIDI Designer Pro 2. MDP2 was the first and only professional-grade MIDI controller built natively for iOS, earning critical acclaim. Since launch, over 80 updates have greatly expanded its capabilities. Our user-created library now covers 375+ MIDI targets across music hardware and software. In 2024, MDPx took a significant leap forward with the expressive "Spaceship" theme on iPad and Mac and major iPhone usability advances. It now adds AUv3 support in hosts such as AUM, Cubasis, and Logic. A new subscription model — Premium — allows even more users to use the App in their music-making and discover the App Store's best MIDI controller for themselves. CAPABILITIES • Control all MIDI-enabled hardware and software: keyboards, synths, effects, pedals, DAWs, plug-ins, DJ, VJ & lighting rigs, other iOS apps, robots, cruise ships, rail guns, particle accelerators • AUv3 MIDI Processor Extension: Host MDPx inside AUM, Cubasis, Logic, and other AUv3 hosts. • Solid MIDI Communications Infrastructure: Sets the industry standard for reliable and robust MIDI interactions over Network, Bluetooth and USB. • Active Community of Authors: A vibrant ecosystem supporting legacy and current music synthesizers, sound engines, DAWs, and all MIDI-controlled devices. • Extensive User Layout Library: More than 350 layouts for over 80 manufacturers, contributed by the Community. • Comprehensive Support: Whether you're just starting or tackling complex MIDI implementations, with the Community we are here to assist. • MIDI Designer's 'Superpowers': A suite of powerful features exclusive to MIDI Designer that we have developed over the last 10+ years, including: • Ableton Link and Link Control Loopers • Supercontrols and subcontrols as the basis for many features (with no scripting!): • Snap sub to value over time • Sequential subs • Subcontrol chaining • Button groups (radio buttons) with Bounceback™ • Steppers • Live Transpose • Group Presets • Named Ticks • Accelerometer • Simplified Sysex Messages with variables and bit changers • Snap to Value over Time • Global Presets • Pedalboards • Popup Panels (Show/Hide) • Two-up Page Layout for iPad/Mac • Streambyter Plugin by Audeonic for advanced MIDI transformation MDPx is easy to use, infinitely flexible and customizable, and battle-tested in performance. It's the only professional-grade MIDI controller built from the ground up for iOS to control ANYTHING via MIDI. dream | create | play COMMUNITY The MIDI Designer Community has built layouts for popular MIDI targets. Here are just a few: • Ableton Live • Air Music Tech: Xpand!2 • Arturia: Synclavier V, Analog Lab 4 • Audiofier: Riffendium • Chase Bliss: Mood MKII, Reverse Mode C, Thermae • Clavia: NORD LEAD 4 • DSI: Prophet 12 • Elektron: Octatrack MKII • E-MU: Planet Phatt • Eventide: Pitchfactor, Modfactor • Fractal: Axe-FX • Hauptwerk: St. Anne's Symphonic Organ • Kawai: K1, K1r • Korg: Volca Series, 707 • Line 6: POD X3, POD XT, POD HD500, POD Go • Meris: Enzo, Polymoon • M-Audio: Venom • Novation: MiniNova • Moog: Voyager, Animoog, Little Phatty, Slim Phatty, MF-104m Analog Delay • Omnisphere • Pigtronix: Infinity Looper • Roland: Jupiter-Xm, RD-2000, RD-88, FA-06/FA-07/FA-08, VG-99, JX-3P, JX-8P, MKS-30, MKS-50, MKS-80 • Sample Logic: Morphestra 2 • Sonokinetic: Noir • Soundiron: Steel Tones • TC Electronic: Nova Drive NDR-1 • ValhallaDSP: ÜberMod, VintageVerb, FreqEcho, Shimmer, Room • Yamaha: DX7 (TX7), TQ5, SY77 (TG77), DX21, Reface DX, AN200/PLG-100AN/AN1X FIND OUT MORE Web: midiDesigner.com/mdpx Community Layouts: midiDesigner.com/community Manual: midiDesigner.com/manual EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

TouchOSC Mk13 screens
MIDI Designer Pro X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MIDI Designer Pro X at Free against TouchOSC Mk1's $4.99. MIDI Designer Pro X also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). TouchOSC Mk1's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.6). On review sentiment, 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

MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download; TouchOSC Mk1 costs $4.99 up front. MIDI Designer Pro X sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. TouchOSC Mk1 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MIDI Designer Pro X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 88 and 271 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of TouchOSC Mk1's written reviews are positive against 79% of MIDI Designer Pro X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchOSC Mk1 ships an update every 3 months, MIDI Designer Pro X every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
TouchOSC Mk1 versus MIDI Designer Pro X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchOSC Mk1MIDI Designer Pro X
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (88 ratings)4.6 (271 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews78.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88271 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB209 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHexler LLCConfusion Studios LLC

Customer experience

TouchOSC Mk1

All ratings88 ratings
Positive78.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews399 reviews
Positive76.2%
Neutral6.8%
Negative17.0%

MIDI Designer Pro X

All ratings271 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews165 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative17.0%

Bugs and requests

TouchOSC Mk1

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent connection drops
  • Compatibility issues with certain hardware and software
  • Crashes and freezes on some devices
  • Inconsistent behavior across different setups

Requested features

6 requests
  • Improved documentation and tutorials
  • More visual customization options
  • Better support for newer devices and OSes
  • Expanded compatibility with more DAWs and software
  • Wireless connectivity improvements
Show 1 more
  • Haptic feedback for controls

MIDI Designer Pro X

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

TouchOSC Mk1

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

MIDI Designer Pro X

Subscriptions8
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$1.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$2.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$2.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$4.991 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$14.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$24.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$29.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • MDPx Premium Lifetime$124.99

Questions

Is TouchOSC Mk1 free?
TouchOSC Mk1 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MIDI Designer Pro X free?
MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TouchOSC Mk1 or MIDI Designer Pro X?
MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. TouchOSC Mk1 averages 4.2 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 from 271 ratings.
Do TouchOSC Mk1 or MIDI Designer Pro X have ads?
Neither TouchOSC Mk1 nor MIDI Designer Pro X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchOSC Mk1 or MIDI Designer Pro X?
TouchOSC Mk1 ships an update every 3 months, and MIDI Designer Pro X every 5 days. Most recently, TouchOSC Mk1 was updated on October 31, 2026 and MIDI Designer Pro X on November 1, 2026.

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