Comparison

MIDI Designer Pro X vs Jamstik Control

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

Jamstik Control

This app connects to compatible MIDI guitars, allowing users to change device settings, tune their instrument, and explore various sounds. It also offers scale and chord overlays to enhance learning and fretboard knowledge.

Highlights
  • Connects to Jamstik MIDI guitars
  • Change and pin device settings
  • Software tuner
  • In-app sound playback
  • Scale and chord overlays
  • Getting started and settings guides
Features
Read full description

Jamstik Control is the mobile companion app for Jamstik MIDI guitars. - Connect your Jamstik MIDI Guitar (Jamstik Core MIDI Guitar, Jamstik Standard MIDI Guitar, Jamstik Deluxe MIDI Guitar, Jamstik Classic MIDI Guitar, Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar, .strandberg* x Jamstik MIDI Guitar) to your iOS device through USB or Bluetooth MIDI* (Bluetooth MIDI not available for Jamstik Core) - Change device settings and pin your frequently used settings - Tune your Jamstik MIDI guitar with the software tuner - Play a variety of sounds in-app - Select from a large variety of scale and chord overlays to sharpen your skills and fretboard knowledge - Use the Guide tab to see essential getting started info for your Jamstik MIDI Guitar as well as detailed guides on settings and more - Use Jamstik Control to change your Jamstik's device settings while using the MIDI output through USB or TRS-MIDI on another device

Screenshots

MIDI Designer Pro X4 screens
Jamstik Control3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MIDI Designer Pro X at 4.6 against Jamstik Control's 4.0. MIDI Designer Pro X also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 40%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). Jamstik Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MIDI Designer Pro X sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Jamstik Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MIDI Designer Pro X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Designer Pro X has 271 ratings behind it against 12, 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 40% of Jamstik Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 5 days, Jamstik Control monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
MIDI Designer Pro X versus Jamstik Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI Designer Pro XJamstik Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (271 ratings) — better4.0 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings271 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size209 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConfusion Studios LLCZivix LLC

Customer experience

MIDI Designer Pro X

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

Jamstik Control

All ratings12 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

14 purchases

MIDI Designer Pro X

Subscriptions10
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$1.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$2.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$2.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • MDPx Premium Mac Only$4.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$4.991 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$14.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$24.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$29.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac Only$44.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$49.991 Year
One-time4
  • Extra Features Pack$4.99
  • Automatic Backups$4.99
  • Audeonic Stream Byter Plugin$4.99
Show 1 more
  • MDPx Premium Lifetime$124.99
None

Jamstik Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI Designer Pro X free?
MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Jamstik Control free?
Jamstik Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Designer Pro X or Jamstik Control?
MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 out of 5 from 271 ratings, while Jamstik Control averages 4.0 from 12 ratings.
Do MIDI Designer Pro X or Jamstik Control have ads?
Neither MIDI Designer Pro X nor Jamstik Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Designer Pro X or Jamstik Control?
MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 5 days, and Jamstik Control monthly. Most recently, MIDI Designer Pro X was updated on October 29, 2026 and Jamstik Control on October 6, 2026.

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