# E3 Controller vs MIDI Opener

The clearest difference is rating: MIDI Opener at 3.9 against E3 Controller's 2.9. MIDI Opener also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (85 vs 9). E3 Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MIDI Opener sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. E3 Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

MIDI Opener holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Opener has 85 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of E3 Controller's written reviews are positive against 64% of MIDI Opener's.

E3 Controller ships an update every 11 months, MIDI Opener every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | E3 Controller | MIDI Opener |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/e3-controller-us/id509030474/reviews) | **[3.9 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-opener/id1029373282/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **85** |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | **64.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 334 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) | [MartianRover, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1282183383) |

## What reviewers say

### E3 Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/e3-controller-us/id509030474)

Control your Disklavier E3 or DKC-850 remotely from your iOS device. View song titles and access all functions previously available with the infrared remote. Requires a wireless router connection to your piano.

**Highlights:** Remote control for Disklavier E3/DKC-850, Access all infrared remote functions, View piano control unit screen, Check song titles remotely, Wireless router connectivity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### MIDI Opener

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-opener/id1029373282)

This app is a powerful and modern MIDI player designed for musicians, learners, and creators. It offers visual playback, tempo and key control, and advanced track management. Import custom soundbanks and enjoy features like synchronized lyrics and a 3D visualizer.

**Highlights:** Visual MIDI playback, Tempo and key control, Advanced track controls, 128 General MIDI instruments, Built-in effects, Custom soundbanks, Synchronized lyrics, 3D visualizer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Full Upgrade Discount | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Change Tempo | $1.99 | one-time |
| Change Tempo and Key | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Access Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |
| Track Controls | $2.99 | one-time |
| Super Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| MIDI Out | $4.99 | one-time |
| Practice Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full Upgrade | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Upgrade | $4.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🎶 Good sounding instruments
- 🚀 Handles instrument changes well
- ✨ Free to use
- ✅ Plays MIDI files effectively

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes when changing SoundFonts (iOS 26)
- 🐛 Cuts off beginning of songs
- 🐛 Sustained notes treated as staccato
- 💸 Charging for basic features
- 📉 Poor sound quality for some instruments

**Reported bugs**

- Sustained notes are treated as staccato notes.
- Cuts off the beginning of the song.
- Kicked out of the app when clicking on another SoundFont.
- Crashes when changing SoundFonts (iOS 26).
- Bass drum is too quiet for metal music.

**Requested features**

- Adjust individual track volumes
- Zoom in/out
- Select region to play
- Export features (WAV, MP3, FLAC)
- Playlist functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is E3 Controller free?

E3 Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MIDI Opener free?

MIDI Opener is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, E3 Controller or MIDI Opener?

MIDI Opener is rated higher. E3 Controller averages 2.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while MIDI Opener averages 3.9 from 85 ratings.

### Do E3 Controller or MIDI Opener have ads?

MIDI Opener shows ads; E3 Controller does not.

### Which is updated more often, E3 Controller or MIDI Opener?

E3 Controller ships an update every 11 months, and MIDI Opener every 10 days. Most recently, E3 Controller was updated on September 21, 2026 and MIDI Opener on September 23, 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.*