Comparison

TouchOSC Mk1 vs LK

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
Currently charting
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

LK

This application acts as a remote control for Ableton Live and MIDI devices, enhancing electronic music production and live performance. It offers deep integration with Ableton Live and extensive MIDI capabilities for controlling software and hardware. The app is modular, with features available as separate in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Ableton Live integration
  • MIDI device control
  • Clip launching and sequencing
  • Device parameter control
  • Virtual MIDI and AUv3 support
  • Modular in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

LK is a flexible remote control application for Ableton Live and MIDI devices, providing a wide range of features and functionality to enhance the production and live performance of electronic music. LK offers tight integration with Ableton Live using our free UBRIDGE desktop application, providing access and control of Ableton Live projects, with both wired and wireless connection options. LK has extensive MIDI capabilities too, allowing for communication and control of any MIDI compliant software or hardware, even apps running on the same device thanks to virtual MIDI support and AUv3 integration too. LK is split into six unique modules, each available as a separate in-app purchase, offering great value that you can tailor to your specific needs. LK is also capable of connecting with USB MIDI interfaces which allows you to interact with external gear. To connect LK to your host computer you will need to download and install a free software utility called UBRIDGE on your computer. It is available for Windows and macOS and it can be downloaded from Imaginando website. See our setup guide for further details in LK’s product page. MATRIX MODULE - Live Mode - In Live mode, you can control almost every aspect of Ableton Live directly from LK. The app mirrors your session view, allowing you to launch clips, add tracks and scenes, arm, solo, and mute tracks, and adjust track monitoring, volume, pan, and cue settings on the master track. You can create and edit clips with the powerful built-in clip composer, featuring tools like scales, swing, humanize, horizontal and vertical mirroring, time-shifting notes, pitch swapping, transposing, and even chord and melody generation within a defined range. LK also enables device control within each track, offering a range of generic layouts for quick access and instant parameter adjustments, so you can modify settings without needing to interact directly with your computer. - MIDI Mode - In MIDI mode, LK enhances workflow with a flexible, independent sequencing environment for streamlined composition and arrangement. Users can create and manage MIDI clips per track, arrange scenes, and send MIDI to other software or hardware. When loaded as an AUv3 in hosts like AUM, LK sequences and coordinates various instruments, perfect for complex setups and live performances. Essential editing tools like signatures, scales and transformative tools simplify MIDI editing, while automation and generative tools enable dynamic compositions. Follow actions and probability settings further smooth transitions, making performance arrangements seamless and spontaneous—all within a single, powerful interface. PADS MODULE - Get the MPC feel on your touchscreen with PADS, featuring an arpeggiator and a chorder. When working in Ableton Live mode it automatically maps drum rack pad names to each pad on the app - never miss a pad again. Use it in MIDI mode to quickly play other synth apps. CONTROLLER MODULE - Extensive control of 128 parameters with CONTROLLER. Use assignable and customisable knobs, faders, buttons and pads to control MIDI hardware, desktop and mobile DAWs - now with the power of AUv3 integration too. X/Y MODULE - Three dimensional parameter tweaking with X/Y PAD. This module can work with CC or NOTE events. In CC mode, a CC can be assigned per axis. In NOTE mode, X is pitch, Y is velocity and Z is Note ON/ Note OFF. CHORDER MODULE - Play chords like never before with the CHORDER module. Use this chord generator to build chords and lay them out according to your needs. KEYBOARD MODULE - KEYBOARD features 3-axis expression capabilities with scale and range controls. It also allows the possibility of mapping any Live or MIDI CC parameters to be controlled by the X and Y position within each of the keys, providing additional expression to the performance. It also has an MPE mode so you can use it with your favorite MPE compatible synths.

Screenshots

TouchOSC Mk13 screens
LK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LK at Free against TouchOSC Mk1's $4.99. LK also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (706 vs 88). TouchOSC Mk1's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and review sentiment (76% vs 64%). On rating, 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

LK is free to download; TouchOSC Mk1 costs $4.99 up front. LK sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. TouchOSC Mk1 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for TouchOSC Mk1 against 4.3 for LK. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LK has 706 ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of TouchOSC Mk1's written reviews are positive against 64% of LK's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchOSC Mk1 ships an update every 3 months, LK fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
TouchOSC Mk1 versus LK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchOSC Mk1LK
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (88 ratings)4.3 (706 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews — better64.2% of reviews
Number of ratings88706 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#108 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHexler LLCImaginando Lda

Customer experience

TouchOSC Mk1

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

LK

All ratings706 ratings
Positive82.9%
Neutral4.7%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews388 reviews
Positive64.2%
Neutral7.5%
Negative28.4%

User reviews

TouchOSC Mk1

From 88 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful and versatile
  • 👍 Highly customizable
  • 🚀 Seamless integration with various DAWs
  • 🚀 Responsive and low-latency
  • 💡 Endless possibilities for control

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity and stability issues
  • 👎 Steep learning curve
  • 👎 Lacking documentation and support
  • 👎 Outdated or abandoned for certain DAWs
  • 👎 Limited visual customization options

LK

From 706 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works perfectly
  • 🎹 Great for Ableton Live
  • 🎨 Powerful features
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 💯 Excellent app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔌 Connection issues and unreliable wireless
  • 💰 Expensive with separate module purchases
  • 🤔 Confusing setup and documentation
  • 🔋 High battery drain

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

LK

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Clip renaming tool not working
  • Occasional MIDI note sticking
  • UI disappearing and requiring restart
  • Wireless connection randomly dropping
  • Exclusive track arming mode issues

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add MIDI CC mapping and automation
  • Implement vertical view for session mode
  • Allow saving and loading of custom settings
  • Improve MIDI note and velocity handling
  • Add MIDI transformers and generators
Show 1 more
  • Provide a discounted bundle for all modules

In-app purchases

None

TouchOSC Mk1

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

LK

One-time8
  • Unlock Chorder$4.99
  • Unlock MIDI Pads$4.99
  • Unlock MIDI Controller$4.99
Show 5 more
  • Unlock X/Y Pad$4.99
  • Unlock Keyboard$4.99
  • Unlock Step Sequencer$7.99
  • Unlock Matrix$9.99
  • All Modules Bundle$39.90

Questions

Is TouchOSC Mk1 free?
TouchOSC Mk1 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is LK free?
LK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TouchOSC Mk1 or LK?
LK is rated higher. TouchOSC Mk1 averages 4.2 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while LK averages 4.3 from 706 ratings.
Do TouchOSC Mk1 or LK have ads?
Neither TouchOSC Mk1 nor LK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchOSC Mk1 or LK?
TouchOSC Mk1 ships an update every 3 months, and LK fortnightly. Most recently, TouchOSC Mk1 was updated on October 12, 2026 and LK on October 12, 2026.

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