# iMIDIPatchbay vs Patch Base

The clearest difference is price: Patch Base at Free against iMIDIPatchbay's $14.99. Patch Base also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (85 vs 18). iMIDIPatchbay's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (67% vs 53%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Patch Base is free to download; iMIDIPatchbay costs $14.99 up front. iMIDIPatchbay sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

iMIDIPatchbay holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 85 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of iMIDIPatchbay's written reviews are positive against 53% of Patch Base's.

iMIDIPatchbay ships an update every 2 months, Patch Base every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iMIDIPatchbay | Patch Base |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imidipatchbay/id622204114/reviews)** | [3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **85** |
| Positive reviews | **67.2% of reviews** | 52.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 17 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Johannes Doerr](https://appshunter.io/developer/622204117) | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) |

## What reviewers say

### iMIDIPatchbay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imidipatchbay/id622204114)

Organize your entire MIDI setup from a central point. Easily create split and layer configurations, send program changes, and filter controller data for external sound devices. Store and recall configurations as songs, and manage setlists for performances.

**Highlights:** Create split and layer configurations, Send Program Changes and control changes, Transpose sounds and rig, Filter controller data, Store and recall configurations as songs, Create setlists for performances, Link PDF documents to songs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Multiple masters | $9.99 | one-time |
| Setlists | $9.99 | one-time |


### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iMIDIPatchbay free?

iMIDIPatchbay costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Patch Base free?

Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, iMIDIPatchbay or Patch Base?

iMIDIPatchbay is rated higher. iMIDIPatchbay averages 4.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Patch Base averages 3.4 from 85 ratings.

### Do iMIDIPatchbay or Patch Base have ads?

Neither iMIDIPatchbay nor Patch Base shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iMIDIPatchbay or Patch Base?

iMIDIPatchbay ships an update every 2 months, and Patch Base every 3 weeks. Most recently, iMIDIPatchbay was updated on September 19, 2026 and Patch Base on September 23, 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.*