Comparison

TouchOSC Mk1 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 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

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

TouchOSC Mk13 screens
Knobbler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Knobbler at Free against TouchOSC Mk1's $4.99. Knobbler also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). TouchOSC Mk1's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (88 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 Mk1 costs $4.99 up front. Knobbler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. TouchOSC Mk1 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Knobbler holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TouchOSC Mk1 has 88 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of TouchOSC Mk1's written reviews are positive against 88% of Knobbler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchOSC Mk1 ships an update every 3 months, Knobbler every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
TouchOSC Mk1 versus Knobbler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchOSC Mk1Knobbler
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (88 ratings)4.8 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHexler LLCZACHARY STEINKAMP

Customer experience

TouchOSC Mk1

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

Knobbler

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

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

Knobbler

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

TouchOSC Mk1

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 Mk1 free?
TouchOSC Mk1 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Knobbler free?
Knobbler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TouchOSC Mk1 or Knobbler?
Knobbler is rated higher. TouchOSC Mk1 averages 4.2 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Knobbler averages 4.8 from 16 ratings.
Do TouchOSC Mk1 or Knobbler have ads?
Neither TouchOSC Mk1 nor Knobbler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchOSC Mk1 or Knobbler?
TouchOSC Mk1 ships an update every 3 months, and Knobbler every 9 days. Most recently, TouchOSC Mk1 was updated on October 23, 2026 and Knobbler on October 21, 2026.

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