Comparison

MINI vs Etherpad

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

Head to head
About

MINI

Create music with a free, 16-step sequencer featuring basic synthesizer waves and drum loops. Enjoy multi-touch note input and Wi-Fi sync for collaborative jamming. A simple and fun tool for electronic music enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • 16-step sequencer
  • Multi-touch note input
  • 32 polyphonic tones + 1 drum track
  • 4 synthesizer waves
  • 4 drumbeat loops
  • Wi-Fi sync play
Features
Read full description

Karl Bartos (electronic musician, ex-KW, co-composer of songs like The Robots, The Model, Computer World,...) and Masayuki Akamatsu (media artist and author of various iPhone apps such as Banner, Oscillator, Echochops,...) create a 16 step music sequencer which is free, simple and fun. The executive producer is Jean-Marc Lederman. We have created this simple music app for fun: it implements the basic waves of a synthesizer with a 16 step sequencer. This app is completely free, but we would be glad if you would consider a donation to the Red Cross. In 2011, the year we were making this app, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, and we released it as donationware to support the people affected. The damage from that disaster has still not fully healed, and disasters have continued to occur around the world since then. We continue to ask for your support. This application has the functions listed below. - 16 steps sequencer - Start/stop sequence - Multi-touch note input - 32 polyphonic tones + 1 drum track - 4 waves (saw, triangular, square, sine) - 4 drumbeat loops - Drums on/off - Random notes - Clear notes - Additional information Please enjoy our music and think World.

About

Etherpad

Create evolving soundscapes and ambient textures with an intuitive touch-based music synthesizer. Explore generative music without needing music theory, perfect for relaxation or creative expression.

Highlights
  • Multi-touch synthesis
  • Multiple sound presets
  • Visual particle effects
  • Effect overlays
  • Scale selection
  • Landscape & portrait modes
  • Low-latency audio
Features
Read full description

Etherpad is an expressive touch-based music synthesis instrument for iPhone, iPad and your Mac. Sweep your fingers across the screen to create evolving soundscapes, ambient drones, and generative textures. (AUv3 support in Beta) Powered by the legendary Csound audio engine, Etherpad turns your device into a portable synthesizer that responds to every touch with rich, organic sound. No music theory required — just touch, listen, and explore. KEY FEATURES • Multi-touch synthesis — Each finger controls pitch and timbre independently • Distinct Soundscapes — Switch between evolving pad sounds and textures • Reactive Visuals — ripples, trails, rings, and column glow respond to every touch • 14 evolving sounds — from lush pads to Glass Choir, PWM Pad, and Morphwave • Advanced Scales & Tuning — Break out of standard keys and explore the Bohlen-Pierce scale, overtone series, pentatonics, and more • Jam Sessions — Load your own audio tracks directly into the app and play along with your creative flow • MIDI 2.0 — per-note expression and full MIDI support for connected controllers (Beta) • AUv3 plug-in — play Etherpad inside Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other hosts (Beta) • Ultra Low-latency audio — Built on Csound, the industry-standard audio engine PERFECT FOR • Ambient and drone musicians • Meditation and relaxation • Beginners exploring sound synthesis • Live performers and improvisers • Sound designers and experimental composers • Anyone curious about generative music Website: https://etherpad.app Touch the surface. Hear the universe.

Screenshots

MINI4 screens
Etherpad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Etherpad at 4.9 against MINI's 3.9. Etherpad also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly) and review sentiment (100% vs 74%). MINI's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Etherpad holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 20 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of MINI's written reviews are positive against 100% of Etherpad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MINI ships an update monthly, Etherpad every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MINI versus Etherpad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMINIEtherpad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (24 ratings)4.9 (20 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better20
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMasayuki AkamatsuDinesh Yadav

Customer experience

MINI

All ratings24 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral4.2%
Negative20.8%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive73.8%
Neutral7.1%
Negative19.0%

Etherpad

All ratings20 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

MINI

No in-app purchases

None

Etherpad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MINI free?
MINI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Etherpad free?
Etherpad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MINI or Etherpad?
Etherpad is rated higher. MINI averages 3.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Etherpad averages 4.9 from 20 ratings.
Do MINI or Etherpad have ads?
Neither MINI nor Etherpad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MINI or Etherpad?
MINI ships an update monthly, and Etherpad every 2 days. Most recently, MINI was updated on October 16, 2026 and Etherpad on September 22, 2026.

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