Comparison

MIDIWriter vs MF

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

Head to head
About

MIDIWriter

This app transforms keyboard input into musical notes and sounds. Type characters to instantly generate MIDI messages, or input phrases to create musical sequences with adjustable tempo and looping. It includes a built-in sound engine and supports external MIDI devices and apps.

Highlights
  • Text to MIDI conversion
  • Built-in General MIDI sound engine
  • Phrase playback with tempo control
  • Drum mode with multiple kits
  • External MIDI output
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • Wi-Fi MIDI networking
Features
Read full description

[[ A STRANGE MUSIC TOOL FOR MANIAC MUSIC LOVERS! ]] MIDIWriter is a unique app that converts keyboard input into MIDI note messages. Each character you type instantly produces sound. You can also enter a phrase and play it back as a sequence with adjustable tempo and loop options. KEY FEATURES: Built-in Sound Engine: No external app required! MIDIWriter includes a built-in General MIDI sound engine with 128 instruments and 9 drum kits. Just type and hear the sound immediately. Phrase Playback: Enter any text and play it as a musical sequence. Adjust the tempo (1-480 BPM), enable loop mode, and let your words become music. Space characters can be used as rests. Drum Mode: Switch to drum mode to play percussion sounds. Choose from 9 GM drum kits including Standard, Room, Power, Electronic, 808/909, Jazz, Brush, and Orchestral. MIDI Output: Send MIDI to other apps or external devices. Configure MIDI channel (1-16), program change (0-127), and destination. Works with Virtual MIDI and MIDI Network Session. Can be used simultaneously with the built-in sound engine. Keyboard Support: Use the on-screen software keyboard, or connect a Bluetooth/USB hardware keyboard for a real typing experience. Supports Japanese input with proper IME handling. MIDI Network Session: Connect to Mac or other iOS devices over Wi-Fi to control CoreMIDI-compatible sound generators remotely. Dark Mode & Rotation: Full support for light and dark modes. Works in portrait and landscape orientations on both iPhone and iPad. Note: Playback stops when the app goes to background. Using the Built-in Sound: Simply launch MIDIWriter and start typing. Each key produces a unique sound based on its character code. Enable drum mode in Settings for percussion sounds. Using with External MIDI Apps (Virtual MIDI): 1. Open a CoreMIDI sound generator app. 2. In MIDIWriter Settings, turn on "MIDI Output" and select the destination. 3. Type any key to hear sound from the external app. Using with Mac (MIDI Network Session): 1. Connect iPhone and Mac to the same Wi-Fi network. 2. Open MIDIWriter on iPhone. 3. On Mac, open "Audio MIDI Setup" and configure Network MIDI. 4. Connect your iPhone to the session. 5. Open a CoreMIDI app on Mac and select the network session as MIDI input. 6. Type on MIDIWriter to play sounds on Mac. Credits: Built-in sound engine uses "GeneralUser GS" SoundFont by S. Christian Collins. https://schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php

About

MF

This app is a digital recreation of a classic analog lowpass filter effect pedal. It allows users to add dynamic motion and warm, vibrant tones to various audio sources like guitars, vocals, and synthesizers.

Highlights
  • Analog 4-pole lowpass filter emulation
  • Envelope follower for dynamic motion
  • Processes guitar, voice, and synths
  • AUv3 effects plugin
  • Warm and vibrant sound quality
Features
Read full description

The MF-101S Lowpass Filter is a re-invention of Moog Music’s classic Moogerfooger MF-101 analog effects pedal. The hardware MF-101 Lowpass Filter, introduced in 1998, contained two complete modular functions: a classic, all-analog 4-pole Lowpass Filter paired with an envelope follower to impart dynamic motion to the filtered sound. Designed by Bob Moog and his engineering team, the MF-101 was a direct descendant of the original Moog modular synthesizers, adapted to process, modulate, and play with inputs ranging from guitar, voice, and synthesizer to any imaginable audio source. The MF-101 Lowpass Filter has been meticulously recreated as the MF-101S, capturing not only the warm and vibrant sound of the original, but also the organic way in which the parameters interact to create a musical playing experience. The MF-101S is an AUv3 effects plug-in that requires a compatible host or DAW to function.

Screenshots

MIDIWriter4 screens
MF3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MF at 50% against MIDIWriter's 0%. MF also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.5) and update cadence (monthly vs every 35 months). MIDIWriter's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $14.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

MIDIWriter costs $0.99 and MF $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MF holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of MIDIWriter's written reviews are positive against 50% of MF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDIWriter ships an update every 35 months, MF monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MIDIWriter versus MF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDIWriterMF
Price$0.99 — better$14.99
Rating1.5 (2 ratings)4.6 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings29 — better
Update frequencyEvery 35 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMasayuki AkamatsuMoog Music Inc.

Customer experience

MIDIWriter

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

MF

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

MIDIWriter

No in-app purchases

None

MF

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDIWriter free?
MIDIWriter costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MF free?
MF costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDIWriter or MF?
MF is rated higher. MIDIWriter averages 1.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while MF averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.
Do MIDIWriter or MF have ads?
Neither MIDIWriter nor MF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDIWriter or MF?
MIDIWriter ships an update every 35 months, and MF monthly. Most recently, MIDIWriter was updated on November 1, 2026 and MF on November 7, 2026.

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