Comparison

ChordMapMidi vs Q Sahara

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

Head to head
About

ChordMapMidi

This app is a MIDI controller for exploring musical chords and progressions in major and minor keys. It sends note information to other synthesizer apps on your device, making it a portable tool for musicians and educators.

Highlights
  • Explore chords and progressions
  • Major and minor keys
  • MIDI controller functionality
  • Sends note information to synth apps
  • Portable music tool
Read full description

ChordMapMidi allows you to explore chords and chord progressions in both major and minor keys, one finger tap at a time. Note: ChordMapMidi is a MIDI controller. It doesn't create sound on its own. It sends note information to synthesizer apps you have on your device. ChordMapMidi is useful for songwriters, MIDI musicians, music educators... especially in places where the only instrument you have is the phone in your pocket. Have fun exploring chords and progressions!

About

Q Sahara

Features
Read full description

Drive it. Shape it. Move on. Q Sahara is an input-driven compressor designed for quick decisions and musical results. There is no threshold to chase and no millisecond math to interpret: drive the signal into Sahara, set the ratio, and let its program-dependent behavior follow the music. INPUT-DRIVEN COMPRESSION A fixed internal threshold means compression is controlled by how hard you drive the input — just like classic analog workflows. MUSICAL TIMING Attack and release are program-dependent, adapting to phrasing, groove and dynamics instead of fixed time values. RATIO WITH CHARACTER Ratio and knee work together. Lower ratios stay smooth and forgiving; higher ratios add firmness and control without limiter behavior. MADE FOR iOS • AUv3 plugin — use it in AUM, GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, Cubasis, Loopy Pro and other AUv3 hosts • External sidechain support with dedicated sidechain high-pass filter • Standalone app included • Two hand-crafted themes: Sand Dune and Black Sand • HD and Eco oversampling modes • Zero samples latency, ultra-low CPU • A/B compare and preset management • Factory presets, including artist presets by Grammy-winning engineers FOCUSED BY DESIGN No unnecessary controls, no distractions. Sahara does one thing and does it well: it delivers instant results, stays responsive to your material, and lets you mix by ear instead of by numbers. “Really interesting compressor! Sahara seems to improve the sound of everything I put it on.” — Mark Linett, three-time Grammy-winning producer and engineer “I reach for the Sahara compressor when I want character. It shines on bass, acoustic guitar, snare, parallel drums, and more!” — Brian Vibberts, seven-time Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer

Screenshots

ChordMapMidi4 screens
Q Sahara2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ChordMapMidi at $3.99 against Q Sahara's $19.99. Q Sahara's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

ChordMapMidi costs $3.99 and Q Sahara $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChordMapMidi ships an update every 8 months, Q Sahara every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ChordMapMidi versus Q Sahara: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChordMapMidiQ Sahara
Price$3.99 — better$19.99
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMalcolm MugglinPulsar Modular

In-app purchases

None

ChordMapMidi

No in-app purchases

None

Q Sahara

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ChordMapMidi free?
ChordMapMidi costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Q Sahara free?
Q Sahara costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ChordMapMidi or Q Sahara have ads?
Neither ChordMapMidi nor Q Sahara shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChordMapMidi or Q Sahara?
ChordMapMidi ships an update every 8 months, and Q Sahara every 3 days. Most recently, ChordMapMidi was updated on October 23, 2026 and Q Sahara on October 25, 2026.

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