# Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox vs KeyStage

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KeyStage at 91% against Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox's 30%. KeyStage also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 22 months). Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $29.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox costs $4.99 and KeyStage $29.99 up front. KeyStage sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

KeyStage holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KeyStage has 41 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox's written reviews are positive against 91% of KeyStage's.

Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox ships an update every 22 months, KeyStage every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox | KeyStage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $29.99 |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hohner-midi-squeezebox/id447940617/reviews) | **[4.7 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystage/id1406132634/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **41** |
| Positive reviews | 30.0% of reviews | **91.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 29 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369) | [Ali Gokturk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1406132633) |

## What reviewers say

### Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hohner-midi-squeezebox/id447940617)

This app acts as a MIDI control surface for iPads, simulating a 31-button diatonic button accordion. It's designed to control external hardware or virtual instruments, offering customizable MIDI settings and a push/pull bellows simulation.

**Highlights:** 31-button three-row diatonic button accordion layout, CoreMIDI control surface for iPad, Simulates push/pull bellows action, Customizable MIDI volume, channel, and velocity, Supports transposition for different tunings, Virtual MIDI port output option

**In-app purchases:** none


### KeyStage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystage/id1406132634)

This app acts as a master controller, AUv3 host, and audio mixer for keyboard players. It allows simultaneous control of multiple hardware and software instruments via MIDI, with advanced mapping, scripting, and audio mixing capabilities.

**Highlights:** Connect multiple MIDI controllers to instruments, Load AUv3 instruments, effects, and MIDI processors, Create complex keyboard splits and layers, Advanced MIDI mapping and scripting, Audio mixer with volume and pan control, Play and automate audio files, View PDF and JPG files

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Instrument Units | Free | one-time |
| Effect Units | Free | one-time |
| Player, Input, and Mixer Units | Free | one-time |
| MIDI Units | Free | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $3.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful for live performance
- 👍 Replaces hardware keyboards
- 💡 Seamlessly integrates AUv3 apps
- 👍 Excellent MIDI control
- 👍 Great for organizing setlists

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App is ugly (UI)
- 🐛 Some users experience crashes
- 🐛 Learning curve for new users
- 🐛 In-app purchases for core features
- 🐛 Slow song loading times

**Reported bugs**

- Custom Translators Database not downloading
- Snap to grid on wave files not lining up
- Song switching via MIDI channels not working
- App crashes when trying to use instruments Database (older iOS)
- Occasional crashes

**Requested features**

- More complete user manual with troubleshooting
- Beginner's explanation of MIDI and AUv3
- MIDI Clock In + Seq Sync
- Global Tap Tempo
- In-line FX bypass (MIDI mappable)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox free?

Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KeyStage free?

KeyStage costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox or KeyStage?

KeyStage is rated higher. Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while KeyStage averages 4.7 from 41 ratings.

### Do Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox or KeyStage have ads?

Neither Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox nor KeyStage shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox or KeyStage?

Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox ships an update every 22 months, and KeyStage every 3 months. Most recently, Hohner MIDI SqueezeBox was updated on October 14, 2026 and KeyStage on October 24, 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.*