# MIDI Guitar vs Guitar Tab Maker

The clearest difference is rating: Guitar Tab Maker at 4.6 against MIDI Guitar's 4.3. Guitar Tab Maker also leads on ratings volume (507 vs 136). MIDI Guitar's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MIDI Guitar sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Guitar Tab Maker sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Guitar Tab Maker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 136 and 507 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of MIDI Guitar's written reviews are positive against 80% of Guitar Tab Maker's.

MIDI Guitar ships an update every 2 weeks, Guitar Tab Maker monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MIDI Guitar | Guitar Tab Maker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (136 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-guitar/id523095780/reviews) | **[4.6 (507 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-tab-maker/id1384053393/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 136 | **507** |
| Positive reviews | 72.3% of reviews | **79.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 16 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jam Origin](https://appshunter.io/developer/505401034) | [Kyle Gorlick](https://appshunter.io/developer/541831739) |

## What reviewers say

### MIDI Guitar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-guitar/id523095780)

Transform your guitar into a MIDI controller in real-time. This app accurately transcribes your playing into MIDI data, allowing you to control any synth or virtual instrument. It offers low latency and high accuracy, comparable to professional hardware.

**Highlights:** Real-time guitar to MIDI transcription, Low latency and high accuracy, Control any synth or virtual instrument, AudioUnit (AUv3) plugin support, Standalone app for hosting other synths, MIDI output to DAWs like GarageBand

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AudioUnit Hosting | $9.99 | one-time |
| MIDI Outputs | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎸 Exceptional polyphonic MIDI tracking accuracy
- 💡 Innovative pitch-to-MIDI conversion technology
- 🎵 Works with any guitar without special pickups
- ⚡ Low latency performance on modern devices
- 🎹 Seamless integration with synths and virtual instruments

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Multiple in-app purchases required for full functionality
- 🔐 Confusing IAP structure and pricing model
- ⏱️ Noticeable latency on older iOS devices
- 🎼 Requires adjusted playing technique and style
- 🔊 Struggles with fast lead lines and complex fingerpicking

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS updates
- AU3 controls unresponsive (rotary knobs snap back to zero)
- Freezing in AUM with buzzing sound
- Audio cutouts despite full purchases
- Microphone input cannot be disabled

**Requested features**

- Lower tuning support (below D, baritone guitars, 8-string support)
- 432Hz tuning option
- Audiobus and IAA compatibility improvements
- Higher sample rate support (96kHz standalone)
- Pitch bending and slide detection


### Guitar Tab Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-tab-maker/id1384053393)

Create and edit guitar tablature with ease on your iOS or macOS devices. Sync across platforms, export to various formats, and even listen to your compositions with audio playback. Supports multiple string instruments and offers advanced features through an optional purchase.

**Highlights:** iCloud sync across devices, Export to PDF and GTAB, Audio playback of tabs, Support for multiple string instruments, Designed for guitar tabs

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium (Annual) | $12.99 | per year |
| Premium (Annual) | $12.99 | per year |
| Premium (Annual Family) | $17.99 | per year |
| Premium One-Time Buy | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🚀 Quick and efficient
- 💡 Customizable tunings
- 👍 Great for beginners and experienced players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or data loss
- 🔍 Limited annotation options (no hammer-ons, pull-offs, etc.)
- 🔍 No playback or audio features
- 🔍 Difficulty organizing and managing tabs
- 🔍 Lack of print or export options

**Reported bugs**

- Tabs randomly deleted or lost
- Infinite loading screen when accessing tabs
- Inability to change tunings in some cases

**Requested features**

- Add support for advanced tab notation (slides, bends, etc.)
- Implement playback and audio features to hear the tabs
- Improve tab organization and management tools
- Add print and export options (PDF, MIDI, etc.)
- Expand to desktop/web version for better workflow


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MIDI Guitar free?

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

### Is Guitar Tab Maker free?

Guitar Tab Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MIDI Guitar or Guitar Tab Maker?

Guitar Tab Maker is rated higher. MIDI Guitar averages 4.3 out of 5 from 136 ratings, while Guitar Tab Maker averages 4.6 from 507 ratings.

### Do MIDI Guitar or Guitar Tab Maker have ads?

Neither MIDI Guitar nor Guitar Tab Maker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MIDI Guitar or Guitar Tab Maker?

MIDI Guitar ships an update every 2 weeks, and Guitar Tab Maker monthly. Most recently, MIDI Guitar was updated on September 19, 2026 and Guitar Tab Maker on September 21, 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.*