Comparison

MIDI Designer Pro X vs ILRemote

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

ILRemote

This app provides a wireless MIDI controller for FL Studio on desktop and laptop computers. It allows users to control various functions and plugins, and even create custom controllers using a phone or tablet over Wi-Fi.

Highlights
  • Wi-Fi MIDI control for FL Studio
  • Control transport, plugins, and mixer
  • Create custom MIDI controllers
  • Support for multiple devices simultaneously
  • Pre-built controller tabs
  • Customizable controls (pads, faders, knobs)
Features
Read full description

Image-Line Remote ( IL Remote ) is a free Wi-Fi MIDI controller for FL STUDIO on desktop and laptop computers. It works on Tablets or Phones. Just open FL Studio on your computer plus IL Remote on your iDevice and the connection is automatically made over your Wi-Fi network. Control FL Studio instantly or link your favorite instrument and effect plugins just as you can with any MIDI controller. Use a phone, tablet or any combination with up to 15 devices simultaneously. Use the included controller tabs covering functions including; Transport Controls, MIDI Keyboard, FPC control, Harmonizer Keyboard, Performance Mode (Clip Launcher), Gross Beat FX, Mixer and more. If the control you want isn’t available then you can create your own. IL Remote allows you to add custom tabs and add controls including Pads, Faders, Knobs, Jog Wheels, Mixer, Clip Launcher, X/Y Controls, Piano Keyboard, Harmonic Grid and Containers. There is a complete range of customization options for each control so that you can create virtually any virtual MIDI controller to suit your needs. For more details check the online manual here: http://support.image-line.com/redirect/ILRemoteManual See the video tutorial series here: http://support.image-line.com/redirect/ILRemote_Videos

Screenshots

MIDI Designer Pro X4 screens
ILRemote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MIDI Designer Pro X at 4.6 against ILRemote's 3.5. MIDI Designer Pro X also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (79% vs 59%). ILRemote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 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 $1.99 per month. ILRemote 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 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 269 and 83 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of MIDI Designer Pro X's written reviews are positive against 59% of ILRemote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 11 days, ILRemote every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
MIDI Designer Pro X versus ILRemote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI Designer Pro XILRemote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (269 ratings) — better3.5 (83 ratings)
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews — better58.8% of reviews
Number of ratings269 — better83
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.65.1.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConfusion Studios LLCImage Line Software

Customer experience

MIDI Designer Pro X

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

ILRemote

All ratings83 ratings
Positive60.2%
Neutral8.4%
Negative31.3%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral9.7%
Negative31.5%

Bugs and requests

MIDI Designer Pro X

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ILRemote

Reported bugs

27 issues
  • Piano doesn't work
  • App keeps crashing
  • Disconnects and won't reconnect
  • App hasn't been updated in years
  • Doesn't connect anymore
Show 22 more
  • Looks atrocious
  • Delay caused by Bluetooth
  • Crashing when building custom layouts
  • Objects in layout editor don't work
  • Container object too big
  • Saving layout causes crash
  • iOS version won't connect
  • Screen doesn't fit aspect ratio
  • Layout needs refreshing
  • Fader controls wrong EQ
  • Mesh nodes won't connect
  • Crashes when deleting more than one tab
  • Loses saved presets
  • Synchronization is off
  • Buttons and faders don't do what they're supposed to
  • Only registers up to two key presses
  • Crashes when saving custom layouts
  • Mix section doesn't work
  • Default layouts mostly work, custom ones crash
  • No sound
  • Downloaded app won't open
  • App doesn't work

Requested features

20 requests
  • Support for FL Studio Mobile
  • Longer distance connectivity
  • USB connection option
  • Update for FL Studio 20
  • Velocity levels on FPC pads
Show 15 more
  • Dark mode
  • iCloud storage for layouts
  • Undo button
  • Line editor window
  • LFO tools
  • Mesh node connectivity
  • Parametric EQ2 controls
  • Control over EQ on mixer
  • Show one plugin at a time in mixer
  • Scrollable mixer with more than 10 slots
  • Native Mac version of FL Studio
  • Sync with project for mixer levels
  • Fix graphical bugs
  • Improve editor for layouts
  • Add performance mode control

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
None

ILRemote

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 ILRemote free?
ILRemote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Designer Pro X or ILRemote?
MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 out of 5 from 269 ratings, while ILRemote averages 3.5 from 83 ratings.
Do MIDI Designer Pro X or ILRemote have ads?
Neither MIDI Designer Pro X nor ILRemote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Designer Pro X or ILRemote?
MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 11 days, and ILRemote every 2 months. Most recently, MIDI Designer Pro X was updated on October 12, 2026 and ILRemote on October 15, 2026.

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