Comparison

ModWheels vs Numa Player

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ModWheels

This app emulates classic synthesizer modulation and pitch wheels on your iPhone or iPod. Connect a MIDI interface to control any MIDI-enabled synth or keyboard, and utilize a pitch ribbon for vintage synth performance.

Highlights
  • Synthesizer modulation wheels
  • Pitch wheels
  • Pitch ribbon controller
  • MIDI interface support
  • MIDI over WIFI support
Features
Read full description

ModWheels brings classical synthesizer modulation and pitch wheels to your iPhone and iPod. Just hook up a MIDI interface and control any MIDI enabled synth or keyboard. In addition to the wheel interface this app also features a pitch ribbon / wheel combination as it could be found on some vintage synths. This app comes in handy when you are using one of these new organ keyboards which also feature synth sounds. But for some reason the designers have forgotten the performance controls? ModWheels help you using the full potential of those keyboards. ModWheels can be used with most MIDI hardware like LINE6 MIDI Mobilizer and it also supports MIDI over WIFI ModWheels has been rated „Killer App“ by the testers of Apps4iDevices

About

Numa Player

This virtual instrument offers a multitimbral sound engine optimized for multi-core CPUs, providing low latency and high polyphony. It allows for flexible zone management, extensive sound libraries, and integrated effects for live performances and studio use.

Highlights
  • Multitimbral Instrument Player
  • Cross-Platform (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS)
  • Standalone or Plugin mode
  • Multi-core CPU optimization
  • Infinite Zone management
  • Extensive sound library
  • 9 Insert Effects and 3 Master Effects
Features
Read full description

Numa Player is a completely free virtual instrument. It's not only the perfect companion for your SL Keyboard, but it is also much more! The User Interface scales to different monitor sizes to fit best in your Audio/MIDI setup and makes Numa Player the first Studiologic Instrument Player available for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS. KEY POINTS • A completely free Multitimbral Instrument Player. • The Only Cross-Platform Instrument: macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS. • Works in Standalone or Plugin mode. • The perfect match for Studiologic SL Controllers. • Live performances and Studio features. • A new "easy to use" user interface. • 4 Parts, 27 free sounds. • 9 Insert Effects and 3 Master Effects. MULTI-CORE. The advanced sound engine of Numa Player 2 takes your performance to the next level. It's now optimized to harness the full power of your device's multi-core cpu, delivering exceptional performance and ultra-low latency even in the most demanding setups1. Enjoy higher polyphony and smoother playback, no matter how complex your project gets. MULTIZONE. Designed with ultimate flexibility in mind, Numa Player 2 allows you to create and manage infinite Zones effortlessly. Add, duplicate, or drag and reposition zones with ease, all within an intuitive interface that puts full creative control at your fingertips. Customize each zone with its own sound parameters, keyboard ranges, and MIDI settings, or even assign custom colors for clear and easy navigation during your performance. MANY SOUNDS. Numa Player 2 comes packed with an extensive library of professionally recorded, high-quality sounds, covering a wide range of music genres and styles. Among Acoustic Pianos, punchy leads, orchestral textures and intricate percussive elements, find the perfect sound to bring your music to life. WHAT'S YOUR PROGRAM? In a Program you can combine any sound with its own insert effects. Save and load your program sets for Live performances and Studio sessions. 9x3 SOUND EFFECTS. MULTIPLY YOUR MOODS. Numa Player provides up to 9 integrated insert effects for each part and a Master effects section. LIVE OR STUDIO. PLAY SMARTER LIKE NEVER BEFORE. Organize the best Live Performarce setup with your devices and MIDI controllers or use Numa Player as an instrument plugin inside your DAW2 to create professional music sequences.

Screenshots

ModWheels4 screens
Numa Player4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Numa Player at Free against ModWheels's $1.99. Numa Player also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 9). ModWheels's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (9.1 vs 12.0). On review sentiment, 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

Numa Player is free to download; ModWheels costs $1.99 up front. Numa Player sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. ModWheels asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Numa Player holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Numa Player has 1.1K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of ModWheels's written reviews are positive against 85% of Numa Player's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ModWheels ships an update every 3 months, Numa Player monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ModWheels versus Numa Player: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModWheelsNuma Player
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (9 ratings)4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.3% of reviews85.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings91.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.1 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthias SchorerFATAR SRL

Customer experience

ModWheels

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative12.5%

Numa Player

All ratings1,119 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral2.5%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews236 reviews
Positive85.2%
Neutral4.2%
Negative10.6%

Bugs and requests

ModWheels

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Numa Player

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashing issues in GarageBand
  • Incompatibility with some MIDI controllers
  • Sustain pedal causing noise

Requested features

6 requests
  • More types of resonance (aliquot, body, bridge/soundboard)
  • New piano models (Bosendorfer, Yamaha CFX)
  • More instruments (brass, saxes)
  • Ability to save custom patches
  • Ability to resize on-screen keyboard
Show 1 more
  • MIDI learn functionality

In-app purchases

None

ModWheels

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Numa Player

One-time4
  • Farfisa Compact$0.99
  • VINTAGE PIANOS$17.99
  • GRAN CODA$24.99
Show 1 more
  • STAGE D$24.99

Questions

Is ModWheels free?
ModWheels costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Numa Player free?
Numa Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ModWheels or Numa Player?
Numa Player is rated higher. ModWheels averages 4.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Numa Player averages 4.7 from 1.1K ratings.
Do ModWheels or Numa Player have ads?
Neither ModWheels nor Numa Player shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ModWheels or Numa Player?
ModWheels ships an update every 3 months, and Numa Player monthly. Most recently, ModWheels was updated on September 21, 2026 and Numa Player on October 13, 2026.

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