# MIDIKeys vs MIDI Designer Pro X

The clearest difference is rating: MIDI Designer Pro X at 4.6 against MIDIKeys's 3.4. MIDI Designer Pro X also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (269 vs 16). MIDIKeys's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MIDI Designer Pro X sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. MIDIKeys asks for nothing beyond the download.

MIDI Designer Pro X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Designer Pro X has 269 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of MIDIKeys's written reviews are positive against 79% of MIDI Designer Pro X's.

MIDIKeys ships an update every 6 weeks, MIDI Designer Pro X every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MIDIKeys | MIDI Designer Pro X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midikeys-midi-controller/id363609665/reviews) | **[4.6 (269 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-designer-pro-x/id492291712/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **269** |
| Positive reviews | 70.0% of reviews | **78.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 6 MB | 205 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369) | [Confusion Studios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/492291715) |

## What reviewers say

### MIDIKeys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midikeys-midi-controller/id363609665)

This app acts as a virtual MIDI keyboard controller, allowing you to send MIDI messages to synthesizer apps and hardware. It offers customizable velocity, octave transposition, and tilt controls for expression.

**Highlights:** Virtual MIDI keyboard, Send MIDI messages, Octave transposition, Adjustable velocity, Tilt expression control, Customizable MIDI channel

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### MIDI Designer Pro X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-designer-pro-x/id492291712)

Create custom MIDI controllers for any MIDI-enabled hardware or software. Offers extensive customization, a large user-created layout library, and robust MIDI communication. Ideal for musicians and producers seeking a personalized control experience.

**Highlights:** Control any MIDI-enabled device, Network, Bluetooth, and USB MIDI, Extensive user layout library, Customizable control surfaces, Advanced MIDI transformation features, Ableton Link integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MDPx Premium iPhone Only | $1.99 | per month |
| MDPx Premium iPad Only | $3.49 | per month |
| MDPx Premium Mac Only | $4.49 | per month |
| MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone | $4.49 | per month |
| MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone | $7.99 | per month |
| MDPx Premium iPhone Only | $19.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium iPad Only | $34.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium Mac Only | $44.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone | $44.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone | $79.99 | per year |
| Extra Features Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Automatic Backups | $4.99 | one-time |
| Audeonic Stream Byter Plugin | $4.99 | one-time |
| MDPx Premium Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MIDIKeys free?

MIDIKeys is free to download, 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, MIDIKeys or MIDI Designer Pro X?

MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. MIDIKeys averages 3.4 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 from 269 ratings.

### Do MIDIKeys or MIDI Designer Pro X have ads?

Neither MIDIKeys nor MIDI Designer Pro X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MIDIKeys or MIDI Designer Pro X?

MIDIKeys ships an update every 6 weeks, and MIDI Designer Pro X every 11 days. Most recently, MIDIKeys was updated on October 4, 2026 and MIDI Designer Pro X on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*