Comparison

PushKin Standalone vs Knobbler

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

Head to head
About

PushKin Standalone

Manage your Push 3 music production hardware directly from your iPhone or iPad. Effortlessly move, rename, delete, upload, and download files, create folders, and ensure compatibility with Live 11 and 12.

Highlights
  • Direct connection to Push 3 Standalone
  • File management (move, rename, delete)
  • Upload and download files
  • Create new folders
  • Supports Live 11 and 12
  • Multi-file/folder management (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Don't want to fire up your laptop and Live to manage your samples and presets? Want a faster way to manage your files? PushKin Standalone connects directly to Ableton's Push 3 Standalone. Here's what it can do: - Pairing and connection to your Push directly from your iPhone or iPad - Move, rename, and delete files - Upload and download files - Create new folders - Supports Live 11 and 12 and all Push Standalone versions (including betas) PushKin Pro is a one-time purchase that enables advanced features: - uploading/downloading multiple files and folders - bulk editing files and folders (move, delete) More Pro features on the way...including: - Copy/duplicate files/folders - Preview audio files - "What's missing?": examine your Ableton Live project files to see if you are missing any required files (samples, bounces, freezes, etc.)

About

Knobbler

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful, auto-labeling control surface for Ableton Live. Seamlessly navigate tracks, control parameters, and build custom interfaces that save with your Live sets. Keep your focus on creativity without leaving the music-making flow.

Highlights
  • Auto-labeling and auto-coloring control surface
  • Multitouch parameter control
  • Customizable interface saved with Live sets
  • Real-time parameter updates with units
  • Fast track, group, and device navigation
  • Channel strip mixer controls
Features
Read full description

Knobbler turns your iPhone or iPad into an auto-labeling, auto-coloring, multitouch control surface for Ableton Live. 30 day fully-functioning trial of all features. The Mixer, Clips, Session, and Nav pages are available during the trial and after a one-time purchase of Knobbler or a subscription. Ableton Live 12 Suite or Ableton Live 12 Standard with the Max for Live add-on is required. Simply add the free Knobbler4 device to your Live Set and use the Knobbler app to use your iPhone or iPad to control devices and parameters. ** Control every parameter and build a customized interface, including sliders and X-Y pads that is saved with your Live sets. ** Navigate your tracks, groups, racks and devices faster and easier than ever. ** Full screen Cilps and Mixer views keep you connected to your music. ** Session View gives you a combined clips and mixer view for full control. ** Full access to capture and recall rack variations. ** Navigate cue points and locators in your set. ** Engage Spring mode for momentary effects. Visit https://plugins.steinkamp.us/m4l-Knobbler4 to download the Ableton Live device to use with this app. Map parameters in your Ableton Live set to unmapped sliders on the tablet with a single touch. No need to enter and exit a mapping mode. Access every parameter in the currently selected device, directly on the phone or tablet. Parameter mapping configuration is saved with your Live Set, so you can switch between songs with minimal friction. Track, device, and parameter names are kept synchronized with your Live Set as you change them, even track colors! Parameter sliders and values are updated in real time, with the same units (e.g. dB, ms, %) displayed as what you see in Live. Double tap a slider on the tablet to reset the parameter to its default value. Swipe in the Navigation controls on the right side to dive into your tracks, groups, racks, and devices faster than ever before. Swipe in from the left to show a channel strip with familiar mixer controls, including color-coded sends. Works on phones and tablets, even in multi-window view on the latest IOS 26. Knobbler is there to keep you out of the computer and in the creative moment, unlocking more of your music making potential. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PushKin Standalone4 screens
Knobbler4 screens

Verdict

The call

PushKin Standalone and Knobbler both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of PushKin Standalone's written reviews are positive against 88% of Knobbler's. Knobbler's advantage is ratings volume (16 vs 5). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. PushKin Standalone sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Knobbler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PushKin Standalone holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of PushKin Standalone's written reviews are positive against 88% of Knobbler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PushKin Standalone ships an update weekly, Knobbler every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PushKin Standalone versus Knobbler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPushKin StandaloneKnobbler
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better4.8 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings516 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAron BudinszkyZACHARY STEINKAMP

Customer experience

PushKin Standalone

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Knobbler

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral8.3%
Negative4.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PushKin Standalone

One-time1
  • PushKin Pro$4.99
3 purchases

Knobbler

Subscriptions2
  • Knobbler Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Knobbler Annual$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Knobbler Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is PushKin Standalone free?
PushKin Standalone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Knobbler free?
Knobbler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PushKin Standalone or Knobbler?
PushKin Standalone is rated higher. PushKin Standalone averages 5.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Knobbler averages 4.8 from 16 ratings.
Do PushKin Standalone or Knobbler have ads?
Neither PushKin Standalone nor Knobbler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PushKin Standalone or Knobbler?
PushKin Standalone ships an update weekly, and Knobbler every 9 days. Most recently, PushKin Standalone was updated on October 24, 2026 and Knobbler on October 21, 2026.

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