Comparison

World Controller vs Pentatonics

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

Head to head
About

World Controller

Features
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World Controller was written to solve a particular problem I encountered in live performance. I needed a way to choose a Digital Performer chunk simultaneously on multiple computers, AND select a corresponding MainStage patch to play live parts against a track. Specifically, World Controller uses a wireless network MIDI session to control Digital Performer and MainStage at the same time. Any Mac Laptop on the same wifi network that subscribes to the wireless MIDI session (set up in Audio MIDI Setup) can respond to commands sent from World Controller, perfect for simultaneous control of multiple computers in a redundant playback situation. You can create a set list that can be edited and re-ordered any way you like. Each set list item provides a button to select a particular Digital Performer chunk, and another button to select a MainStage patch. There are also transport controls for Digital Performer playback as well (sent as Patch change commands to the DP Remote Commands), allowing you to start, stop and rewind the current chunk to zero. This app is optimized for use with these two pieces of software, and it is the missing link for me that enables seamless playback in a complex live performance situation. More features will come in subsequent versions, but right now, all the commands sent wirelessly are patch change commands on channels 15 and 16 (MainStage and DP respectively). Any musician on stage can now run the app and be connected via peer to peer networking to get live updates of the set list. Everybody see the same list and sees what song is cued up to be played next. There's nothing else out there that does this one specific thing!

About

Pentatonics

This app visualizes five-note scales and their connection to chords, offering a unique way to explore musical expression. It helps musicians improvise, compose, and understand harmony with clear visual aids and smart filtering options.

Highlights
  • Pentagon scale-chord visualizer
  • Six curated pentatonic scales
  • Smart chord filtering
  • Two-way transposition
  • Layered interval insight
  • Highlight chord tones
  • Save favorite combinations
Features
Read full description

Pentatonics - Take Five Less notes. More music. Visualized. Step back. Level up. Unlock a new world of musical expression with Pentatonics, the visually driven music theory tool that transforms five-note scales into endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re improvising, composing, or exploring harmony, Pentatonics shows you how to say more with less. What Makes It Different Visualize the Scale-Chord Connection A one-of-a-kind pentagon visualizer shows exactly how a scale maps onto a chord, highlighting chord tones, extensions, tensions, and color with instant clarity. Six Curated Pentatonics These aren’t basic box patterns. Each scale is chosen for its harmonic purpose: β€’ Minor 7 (1, b3, 4, 5, b7) β€’ Minor 6 (1, b3, 4, 5, 6) β€’ Minor 7b5 (1, b3, 4, b5, b7) β€’ Major b6 (1, 2, 3, 5, b6) β€’ Major b2 (1, b2, 3, 5, 6) β€’ Whole-Tone (1, 3, #4, #5, b7) Smart Chord Filtering Choose from 14 chord filters to match the sound you want: Major, Minor, Dominant β€” plus altered, sus, and extended voicings like #11, b9, b13, and more. Two-Way Transposition Transpose chord and scale roots independently. Practice in any key. Compose in any context. Teach with full flexibility. Layered Interval Insight Switch between note names and scale degrees to understand how each note functions inside the harmony. Highlight Chord Tones Color-coded overlays show you roots, thirds, sevenths, and more β€” helping you target the strongest notes in your lines. Smart Starting Points Pentatonics finds 47 unique entry points where each scale fits the chord best β€” based on harmonic fit, not guesswork. Across all keys and chords, that’s 7,896 ways to explore expressive sounds. Stay in the Flow β€’ Save your favorite combinations for fast recall β€’ History tracking keeps your recent choices just a tap away β€’ Built-in suggestions point you to the most musical options Who It’s For β€’ Musicians breaking out of tired scale shapes β€’ Improvisers searching for expressive new ideas β€’ Composers seeking color and clarity β€’ Teachers looking to simplify complex harmony β€’ Students learning how theory works in real music Explore. Visualize. Improvise. Pentatonics isn’t just a scale reference. It’s a launchpad for creative growth. Built for modern iOS with a clean, fast interface powered by SwiftUI, it’s designed to keep you thinking less about theory β€” and more about sound. Take five β€” and play like never before!

Screenshots

World Controller1 screens
Pentatonics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: World Controller at Free against Pentatonics's $0.99. World Controller also leads on iOS requirement (12 vs 17.6). Pentatonics's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

World Controller ships an update every 6 months, Pentatonics every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 5 level
World Controller versus Pentatonics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWorld ControllerPentatonics
PriceFree β€” better$0.99
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 9 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetizationβ€”Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12 β€” better17.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size7 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVandalay IndustriesOliver Richard Erich Naumann

In-app purchases

None

World Controller

No in-app purchases

None

Pentatonics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is World Controller free?
World Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pentatonics free?
Pentatonics costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do World Controller or Pentatonics have ads?
Neither World Controller nor Pentatonics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, World Controller or Pentatonics?
World Controller ships an update every 6 months, and Pentatonics every 9 days. Most recently, World Controller was updated on October 25, 2026 and Pentatonics on October 16, 2026.

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