Comparison

MIDI Designer Pro X vs ONE Control Plus

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

Head to head
About

MIDI Designer Pro X

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
Read full description

MIDI Designer Pro X (MDPx) is the culmination of over a decade of improvement. We launched MIDI Designer Pro in 2012 and relaunched it in 2016 as MIDI Designer Pro 2. MDP2 was the first and only professional-grade MIDI controller built natively for iOS, earning critical acclaim. Since launch, over 80 updates have greatly expanded its capabilities. Our user-created library now covers 375+ MIDI targets across music hardware and software. In 2024, MDPx took a significant leap forward with the expressive "Spaceship" theme on iPad and Mac and major iPhone usability advances. It now adds AUv3 support in hosts such as AUM, Cubasis, and Logic. A new subscription model — Premium — allows even more users to use the App in their music-making and discover the App Store's best MIDI controller for themselves. CAPABILITIES • Control all MIDI-enabled hardware and software: keyboards, synths, effects, pedals, DAWs, plug-ins, DJ, VJ & lighting rigs, other iOS apps, robots, cruise ships, rail guns, particle accelerators • AUv3 MIDI Processor Extension: Host MDPx inside AUM, Cubasis, Logic, and other AUv3 hosts. • Solid MIDI Communications Infrastructure: Sets the industry standard for reliable and robust MIDI interactions over Network, Bluetooth and USB. • Active Community of Authors: A vibrant ecosystem supporting legacy and current music synthesizers, sound engines, DAWs, and all MIDI-controlled devices. • Extensive User Layout Library: More than 350 layouts for over 80 manufacturers, contributed by the Community. • Comprehensive Support: Whether you're just starting or tackling complex MIDI implementations, with the Community we are here to assist. • MIDI Designer's 'Superpowers': A suite of powerful features exclusive to MIDI Designer that we have developed over the last 10+ years, including: • Ableton Link and Link Control Loopers • Supercontrols and subcontrols as the basis for many features (with no scripting!): • Snap sub to value over time • Sequential subs • Subcontrol chaining • Button groups (radio buttons) with Bounceback™ • Steppers • Live Transpose • Group Presets • Named Ticks • Accelerometer • Simplified Sysex Messages with variables and bit changers • Snap to Value over Time • Global Presets • Pedalboards • Popup Panels (Show/Hide) • Two-up Page Layout for iPad/Mac • Streambyter Plugin by Audeonic for advanced MIDI transformation MDPx is easy to use, infinitely flexible and customizable, and battle-tested in performance. It's the only professional-grade MIDI controller built from the ground up for iOS to control ANYTHING via MIDI. dream | create | play COMMUNITY The MIDI Designer Community has built layouts for popular MIDI targets. Here are just a few: • Ableton Live • Air Music Tech: Xpand!2 • Arturia: Synclavier V, Analog Lab 4 • Audiofier: Riffendium • Chase Bliss: Mood MKII, Reverse Mode C, Thermae • Clavia: NORD LEAD 4 • DSI: Prophet 12 • Elektron: Octatrack MKII • E-MU: Planet Phatt • Eventide: Pitchfactor, Modfactor • Fractal: Axe-FX • Hauptwerk: St. Anne's Symphonic Organ • Kawai: K1, K1r • Korg: Volca Series, 707 • Line 6: POD X3, POD XT, POD HD500, POD Go • Meris: Enzo, Polymoon • M-Audio: Venom • Novation: MiniNova • Moog: Voyager, Animoog, Little Phatty, Slim Phatty, MF-104m Analog Delay • Omnisphere • Pigtronix: Infinity Looper • Roland: Jupiter-Xm, RD-2000, RD-88, FA-06/FA-07/FA-08, VG-99, JX-3P, JX-8P, MKS-30, MKS-50, MKS-80 • Sample Logic: Morphestra 2 • Sonokinetic: Noir • Soundiron: Steel Tones • TC Electronic: Nova Drive NDR-1 • ValhallaDSP: ÜberMod, VintageVerb, FreqEcho, Shimmer, Room • Yamaha: DX7 (TX7), TQ5, SY77 (TG77), DX21, Reface DX, AN200/PLG-100AN/AN1X FIND OUT MORE Web: midiDesigner.com/mdpx Community Layouts: midiDesigner.com/community Manual: midiDesigner.com/manual EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

ONE Control Plus

This app offers a unified platform for music production, combining DAW and MIDI controller functionalities. It features customizable modules for composing your own controllers and emulates popular hardware surfaces for seamless integration with various music software.

Highlights
  • Modular controller customization
  • DAW controller emulation (MCU)
  • Launchpad controller replica
  • Support for MIDI, OSC, and MMC
  • Customizable themes and styles
  • Multiple controller limit options
Features
Read full description

ONE Control Plus introduces a unified app combining ONE Control DAW and ONE Control PRO. Enjoy the Essential plan for free, forever. Or make the most of ONE Control with a one-time In-App Purchase Expansion Pack. Existing ONE Control DAW and PRO users get a free automatic migration to Plus. Essential (Free) * Essential Modular Controller * Essential DAW Controller * Launchpad controller * Limit of 4 controllers DAW Expansion Pack (In-App purchase) * Advanced DAW Controllers * Essential Modular Controller * Launchpad controller * Limit of 10 controllers PRO Expansion Pack (In-App purchase) * Pro Modular Controller * Pro DAW Controllers * Advanced bidirectional MIDI communication * OSC Support * Unlimited Controllers MAIN FEATURES Modular Controller - Compose your MIDI/OSC controllers with a few touches - Dozens of customizable modules: Faders, Knobs, Buttons, Pads, Keyswitches, XY Pads, Envelopes, Stepper, Interactive Displays, Keyboards, Backgrounds - Bidirectional MIDI IN: Components react to external MIDI sources, featuring a quick Learn mode - Four themes: Default, Minimal, Modern, Retro (PRO) - Many customisable control styles (PRO) - Configure actions with custom events: MIDI (CC, Note, etc.), MMC, OSC, Pitch Bend, Realtime, RPN/NRPN, SysEx - Advanced automation workflow with a new Events and Actions UI and Passthrough actions (PRO) - Customisable Multi-Step components (PRO) - Add background textures and images with effects (PRO) - Save up to 128 presets (patches) per controller with MIDI Bank support (PRO) - Organise in multiple pages, navigating quickly with swipe gestures (PRO) - Copy and paste pages or quick paste modules to build faster (PRO) - Add help, comments and best practices for collaborators (PRO) DAW Controller - Faithful replica of the Mackie Control Surface (MCU) - Customisable templates for: Apple Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo, Ableton Live, Cakewalk, Universal Audio LUNA, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper, Reason, Vegas, Tracktion, Bitwig, FL Studio, Audition, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve - Generic MCU template for other DAWs - Dynamic context-aware buttons - Cheat Sheets for major DAWs included - VU-Meters (PRO) - Customisable buttons (PRO) Launchpad Controller - Replica of the Novation Launchpad X - Compatible with Ableton Live and Logic Pro 10.6+ - Play/record clips and live loops - Control Volume, Pan, Sends, Solo, Mute, Record Arm - Play MIDI notes and Billboard scrolling messages OTHER FEATURES - Use your device in Landscape or Portrait orientation - Creators Library: Share custom templates and discover community ones with ratings - External Controller Support: Control ONE Control itself (Preset/Page changes) via external MIDI - Redesigned controller browser with Recents and Favorites - Side inspector for lightning-fast edits - Wired, LAN, and Bluetooth connections - Auto-connect to MIDI Network session (PRO) - MacOS and Windows* host compatibility - Independent MIDI configuration per controller - iPadOS multi-window and Widget support - Switch between controllers with a single tap - Share controllers or save to iCloud Drive (PRO) - Optimized for all iPad models and iPadOS 26 - Step-by-step connection guides and video tutorials *Windows Network MIDI requires an RTP MIDI driver (like rtpMIDI).

Screenshots

MIDI Designer Pro X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MIDI Designer Pro X at 79% against ONE Control Plus's 29%. MIDI Designer Pro X also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. MIDI Designer Pro X sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and ONE Control Plus sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MIDI Designer Pro X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Designer Pro X has 271 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of MIDI Designer Pro X's written reviews are positive against 29% of ONE Control Plus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update fortnightly, ONE Control Plus every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MIDI Designer Pro X versus ONE Control Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI Designer Pro XONE Control Plus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (271 ratings) — better3.2 (21 ratings)
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews — better29.4% of reviews
Number of ratings271 — better21
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size209 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConfusion Studios LLCVisuality srl

Customer experience

MIDI Designer Pro X

All ratings271 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews165 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative17.0%

ONE Control Plus

All ratings21 ratings
Positive47.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative38.1%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive29.4%
Neutral29.4%
Negative41.2%

In-app purchases

14 purchases

MIDI Designer Pro X

Subscriptions10
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$1.991 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$3.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium Mac Only$4.491 Month
Show 7 more
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$4.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$7.991 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$19.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$34.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac Only$44.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$44.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$79.991 Year
One-time4
  • Extra Features Pack$4.99
  • Automatic Backups$4.99
  • Audeonic Stream Byter Plugin$4.99
Show 1 more
  • MDPx Premium Lifetime$199.99
5 purchases

ONE Control Plus

One-time5
  • ONE Control DAW (Upgrade)Free
  • ONE Control PRO (Upgrade)Free
  • ONE Control DAW$8.99
Show 2 more
  • ONE Control PRO (Upgrade)$12.99
  • ONE Control PRO$17.99

Questions

Is MIDI Designer Pro X free?
MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ONE Control Plus free?
ONE Control Plus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Designer Pro X or ONE Control Plus?
MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 out of 5 from 271 ratings, while ONE Control Plus averages 3.2 from 21 ratings.
Do MIDI Designer Pro X or ONE Control Plus have ads?
Neither MIDI Designer Pro X nor ONE Control Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Designer Pro X or ONE Control Plus?
MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update fortnightly, and ONE Control Plus every 3 months. Most recently, MIDI Designer Pro X was updated on October 20, 2026 and ONE Control Plus on October 18, 2026.

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