Comparison

MIDI Designer Pro X vs Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro

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: apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro

This app allows you to connect and control various Bluetooth MIDI devices, including soft instruments, DAWs, and hardware music devices. It offers a full-range MIDI keyboard, pads matrix, and adjustable knobs and faders for comprehensive music production.

Highlights
  • MIDI Keyboard
  • MIDI Pads Matrix
  • MIDI Knobs
  • MIDI Faders
  • Multiple Control Views
  • State Persistence
Read full description

If you liked Bluetooth MIDI Controller, Bluetooth MIDI Pads and Bluetooth MIDI Keyboard you will love Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro. All the functionality from the three apps in only one. Do you need a Bluetooth MIDI controller but you don't have it? Here you have BMC Pro: Connect and control every Bluetooth MIDI Host like soft instruments, DAWs, Hardware music devices, Mapping apps, lights... Features: -MIDI Keyboard full range with ajustable size. -MIDI Pads Matrix full range. -MIDI Knobs: 32 on iOS, 128 on iPadOS. -MIDI Faders: 32 on iOS, 64 on iPadOS. -4 Controls Views. -Help View. -The app keeps its state after restart it. -No app configuration needed: only connect with the Bluetooth MIDI Host, bind your parameters with the controls via MIDI learn and play the pads or the keyboard.

Screenshots

MIDI Designer Pro X4 screens
Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro at none against MIDI Designer Pro X's 14. MIDI Designer Pro X's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 32 months) and ratings volume (269 vs 10). On price, rating, 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. Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Designer Pro X has 269 ratings behind it against 10, 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 67% of Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 11 days, Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro every 32 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MIDI Designer Pro X versus Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI Designer Pro XBluetooth MIDI Controller Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (269 ratings) — better4.4 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings269 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 32 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.618.6
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConfusion Studios LLCpablo lopez

Customer experience

MIDI Designer Pro X

All ratings269 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews165 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative17.0%

Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

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

Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro

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 Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro free?
Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Designer Pro X or Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro?
MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 out of 5 from 269 ratings, while Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro averages 4.4 from 10 ratings.
Do MIDI Designer Pro X or Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro have ads?
Neither MIDI Designer Pro X nor Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Designer Pro X or Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro?
MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 11 days, and Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro every 32 months. Most recently, MIDI Designer Pro X was updated on September 23, 2026 and Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro on June 3, 2026.

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