Hohner Mini vs KORG iM1
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Hohner Mini
This virtual accordion app for iPhone replicates the feel and sound of a traditional diatonic instrument. It offers a responsive three-row fingerboard and plays in three popular tones, allowing users to practice scales, chords, and songs anywhere.
- Virtual diatonic accordion simulation
- Three-row responsive fingerboard
- Plays in EAD, FBbEb, and GCF tones
- Bellows push and pull simulation
- Adjustable volume and reverb
- Optional note name display
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Hohner announces the introduction of a revolutionary new app for the iPhone: The Hohner Mini-SqueezeBox. Mimicking the layout of Hohner's iconic Corona Classic diatonic accordion, this intuitive virtual accordion app feature a super responsive, three-row fingerboard that plays and sounds like the traditional instrument and now plays in all three of the most popular tones: EAD (Mi), FBbEb (Fa), and GCF (Sol). Simply touch in the bellows area to toggle between bellows push and pull, then play on the buttons. Touch the sliders icon at the upper right side of the screen to bring up the controls where you can select the tone (EAD, FBbEb, or GCF) and control the volume and reverb settings. The Hohner Mini-SqueezeBox app allow musicians to practice chord combinations, scales, and songs on-the-go. Headphones can be used for private practice, or the audio output of the virtual accordion can be amplified by plugging into computer speakers, or other sound enhancing devices. Players may select to have the note names displayed on the large white pearloid buttons. This app is ideal for the beginning student or professional musician who needs a simple carry-on companion to compliment his or her actual accordion. While not meant to be a replacement for a real accordion, the app is a convenient and easy tool for practicing, learning, or teaching.
KORG iM1
This app faithfully reproduces the legendary M1 synthesizer, offering its iconic sounds and expanded features for modern music creation. It provides a vast library of presets and intuitive performance tools, making it accessible to both experienced musicians and beginners.
- Faithful reproduction of original M1 sound
- Expanded filter resonance and 18 effects
- Gigantic library of 3,300 sounds
- Intuitive KAOSS pad for performance
- Smart Sound Browser for quick sound selection
- Compatible with KORG Gadget
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A complete reproduction - and more - of the legendary M1 that defined an era. Mobile Digital Synthesizer for the iPad. ● Selected by Apple as "App Store Best of 2015" ● Ranked #1 on the App Store on Top Paid Music category in more than 20 countries! (15/5/27) Since it went on sale in 1988 the legendary M1 music workstation rapidly achieved record-breaking sales, becoming a mainstay of the music scene from the late 1980s and beyond. The common element of electronic instruments that have left their name in history is that they had a unique sound that was difficult if not impossible to replicate. Sounds such as the “M1 Piano” is instantly recognizable and have appeared on countless hit records over many years, and yet these are sounds that could only be produced by the M1. And that’s what you can now have on your iPad! ● A faithful reproduction of the original M1 Sound The PCM data provides the library of the original M1. For the hardware, we analyzed the circuit diagram of the original design, and completely replicated it in software down to the last detailed parameters. Engineers with an exhaustive knowledge of the M1 made careful adjustments in order to obtain the sound of the original unit, something that cannot be obtained simply by sampling the original sounds. ● A continued evolution of the M1 Not content with simply reproducing the original, iM1 provides further evolutionary developments. Synth parts now have the Filter Resonance that was requested at the time of the original. The effect parts, originally consisting of only two effects, have been powered-up to 18 effects. The user interface has also been refreshed with additions such as a KAOSS pad. iM1 is the ultimate version of the KORG M1. ● A gigantic library encompassing 3,300 sounds and 34 cards* In addition to all 19 of the ROM cards originally released for the M1, iM1 also covers the sounds of the M1EX which expanded the internal PCM of the M1, as well as the sounds of the T-series which appeared as an evolution of the M1. There’s also “BEST OF M1”, a selection of 100 great M1 programs. The new “Smart Sound Browser” makes it quick to find the desired sound. You can also view the sounds ranked by how often they are selected by iM1 users around the world. *with all the expansion card installed via in-app purchase ● KAOSS pad lets anybody perform iM1 features a KAOSS pad from the popular KAOSSILATOR, allowing you to perform intuitively just by touching the screen. By using the dual KAOSS pads to play phrases or adjust the sound, even people who are not accustomed to keyboard instruments or knowledgeable about synthesizers can enjoy performing the iM1. There’s also a conventional keyboard, as well as the “Smart Keyboard”, which lets you specify a scale setting and play phrases with a single finger. ● Use with KORG Gadget for song production iM1 can be used together with Gadget, the music production DAW app that won the App Store Best App of 2014 award in Japan. If both apps are installed, you can use iM1 as a sound module within Gadget, taking advantage of the program sounds in iM1 for music production. iM1 also supports Audiobus and Inter-App Audio, so it can also be used for GarageBand etc. ● Connect a MIDI keyboard and use as a sound module In addition to enjoying iM1 on its own, you can connect a USB MIDI keyboard* via a Lightning adaptor and play the iM1 as an external sound module. You can easily take along an even more powerful workstation sound module as part of your iPad-based compact mobile system. *microKEY, nanoKEY etc. ● Interchangeable with the KORG Legacy Collection and the original M1 Sounds that you create in iM1 can be sent from your iPad via iTunes to a Mac/PC. If you have the Legacy Collection M1, you can use those sounds in a DAW. More info at korg.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Hohner Mini at $2.99 against KORG iM1's $29.99. Hohner Mini also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). KORG iM1's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.2) and review sentiment (82% vs 61%). 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
Hohner Mini costs $2.99 and KORG iM1 $29.99 up front. KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Hohner Mini asks for nothing beyond the download.
KORG iM1 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG iM1 has 1K ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Hohner Mini's written reviews are positive against 82% of KORG iM1's.
Hohner Mini ships an update every 2 months, KORG iM1 every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hohner Mini | KORG iM1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | 3.2 (28 ratings) | 4.7 (1K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.0% of reviews | 81.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 28 | 1K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 7 months |
| 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 | 10.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 200 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Michael Eskin | KORG INC. |
Customer experience
Hohner Mini
KORG iM1
Bugs and requests
Hohner Mini
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
KORG iM1
Reported bugs
3 issues- Disappearing or missing purchased sound cards
- Bluetooth MIDI connectivity issues
- Compatibility problems with certain iOS versions or devices
Requested features
4 requests- Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve preset management and saving capabilities
- Increase master volume control options
- Expand sound library with more cards/expansions
In-app purchases
Hohner Mini
No in-app purchases
KORG iM1
- M1 Cards Pack$4.99
- T1 Cards Pack$4.99
Questions
Is Hohner Mini free?
Is KORG iM1 free?
Which has better reviews, Hohner Mini or KORG iM1?
Do Hohner Mini or KORG iM1 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hohner Mini or KORG iM1?
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