# MIDI Designer Pro X vs modstep

The clearest difference is price: MIDI Designer Pro X at Free against modstep's $9.99. MIDI Designer Pro X also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (79% vs 46%). modstep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 18.6). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download; modstep costs $9.99 up front. MIDI Designer Pro X sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. modstep asks for nothing beyond the download.

MIDI Designer Pro X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Designer Pro X has 272 ratings behind it against 39, 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 46% of modstep's.

MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 5 days, modstep every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MIDI Designer Pro X | modstep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $9.99 |
| Rating | **[4.6 (272 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-designer-pro-x/id492291712/reviews)** | [2.8 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modstep/id966990643/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **272** | 39 |
| Positive reviews | **78.8% of reviews** | 45.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Size | 209 MB | 99 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **7.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Confusion Studios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/492291715) | [Christian Blomert](https://appshunter.io/developer/385949478) |

## What reviewers say

### MIDI Designer Pro X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-designer-pro-x/id492291712)

This app is a professional-grade, customizable MIDI controller for music production. It allows users to control any MIDI-enabled hardware or software, with extensive community-created layouts and powerful 'superpowers' for advanced MIDI manipulation. It supports AUv3 plugins and offers robust network, Bluetooth, and USB MIDI communication.

**Highlights:** Control any MIDI-enabled hardware/software, AUv3 MIDI Processor Extension, Reliable MIDI communication (Network, Bluetooth, USB), Extensive user layout library (350+ layouts), Powerful 'Superpowers' for MIDI manipulation, Community support and layout sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MDPx Premium iPhone Only | $1.49 | per month |
| MDPx Premium iPad Only | $2.49 | per month |
| MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone | $2.99 | per month |
| MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone | $4.99 | per month |
| MDPx Premium iPhone Only | $14.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium iPad Only | $24.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone | $29.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone | $49.99 | per year |
| MDPx Premium Lifetime | $124.99 | one-time |


### modstep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modstep/id966990643)

Create music with a powerful MIDI sequencer for iPad. Control external hardware, IAA apps, and Audio Units. Features unlimited tracks, real-time editing, and integrated synths/samplers for on-the-go or studio production.

**Highlights:** Session-style MIDI sequencer, Unlimited tracks and scenes, Real-time editing and modulation, Integrated synth and sampler, IAA and Audio Unit integration, Ableton Link sync, MIDI and Audio export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎛️ Powerful MIDI sequencing capabilities
- 🎨 Clean and polished user interface design
- 🔗 Excellent integration with external hardware and IAA/AU apps
- 🎵 Ableton Live-like clip launching workflow
- 🎚️ Extensive automation and CC control options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ⏸️ App appears abandoned with no recent updates
- 🔌 IAA/AU instrument loading causes crashes
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🎚️ Confusing and unintuitive user interface

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when loading external IAA/AU instruments
- Constant clicking sound with metronome off
- Projects fail to load or require multiple restart attempts
- MIDI input routing ignores channel settings
- Track names change when using 'save as' function

**Requested features**

- Undo/redo functionality
- MIDI import capability
- Pre-roll for recording
- Dedicated mixer with send/returns
- Audio loop recording and playback


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MIDI Designer Pro X free?

MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is modstep free?

modstep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MIDI Designer Pro X or modstep?

MIDI Designer Pro X is rated higher. MIDI Designer Pro X averages 4.6 out of 5 from 272 ratings, while modstep averages 2.8 from 39 ratings.

### Do MIDI Designer Pro X or modstep have ads?

Neither MIDI Designer Pro X nor modstep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MIDI Designer Pro X or modstep?

MIDI Designer Pro X ships an update every 5 days, and modstep every 3 weeks. Most recently, MIDI Designer Pro X was updated on November 6, 2026 and modstep on November 5, 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.*