Comparison

MIDIWriter vs BeatRepeat

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

BeatRepeat

This app is a real-time drum repeat instrument and MIDI effect designed for live performance. It allows users to tap pads to trigger repeating drum hits synced to tempo, and swipe to create evolving rhythms with layered patterns. It offers extensive control over rhythmic elements and generative patterns.

Highlights
  • 8 velocity-sensitive pads
  • Repeat presets for instant rhythms
  • Per-pad control over rhythm parameters
  • Euclidean rhythm masks
  • Evolve modifier for parameter shifts
  • Fill patterns for multi-pad sequences
  • MIDI input and output
Features
Read full description

Beat Repeat is a real-time drum repeat instrument and MIDI effect built for live performance. Tap a pad to trigger repeating drum hits synced to your tempo. Swipe to latch patterns, stack layers, and build evolving rhythms. Core Features - 8 velocity-sensitive pads - Repeat presets: instant rhythmic patterns (Straight 8th, Triplet, Flam, Ghost Roll, and more) - Per-pad control over division, gate, offset, ratchet, trigger conditions, and probability - Euclidean rhythm masks for generative patterns - Evolve modifier: parameters shift over time using mathematical shapes (sine, ramp, random walk) - Fill patterns: multi-pad sequences triggered from a single pad - Ghost notes with adjustable intensity and offset - Accent patterns for dynamic variation Works Everywhere - Standalone app with internal drum sounds - AUv3 plugin for GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other hosts - VST3/AU for desktop DAWs - Full MIDI input and output - Ableton Link support for wireless sync - Drift quantization for natural-feeling timing

Screenshots

MIDIWriter4 screens
BeatRepeat3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BeatRepeat at 100% against MIDIWriter's 0%. BeatRepeat also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (5.0 vs 1.5). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

BeatRepeat is free to download; MIDIWriter costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BeatRepeat holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of MIDIWriter's written reviews are positive against 100% of BeatRepeat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDIWriter ships an update every 35 months, BeatRepeat every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MIDIWriter versus BeatRepeat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDIWriterBeatRepeat
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating1.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25 — better
Update frequencyEvery 35 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMasayuki AkamatsuMathias Kirkerød

Customer experience

MIDIWriter

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

BeatRepeat

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

MIDIWriter

No in-app purchases

None

BeatRepeat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDIWriter free?
MIDIWriter costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BeatRepeat free?
BeatRepeat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDIWriter or BeatRepeat?
BeatRepeat is rated higher. MIDIWriter averages 1.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while BeatRepeat averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do MIDIWriter or BeatRepeat have ads?
Neither MIDIWriter nor BeatRepeat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDIWriter or BeatRepeat?
MIDIWriter ships an update every 35 months, and BeatRepeat every 3 days. Most recently, MIDIWriter was updated on October 29, 2026 and BeatRepeat on October 24, 2026.

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