Comparison

Thesys vs Neon

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

Head to head
About

Thesys

This app is a powerful and intuitive MIDI step sequencer for creating complex musical patterns. It offers extensive control over MIDI devices, enabling organic bass lines, leads, and pads for studio or live performance. Advanced features allow for real-time pattern manipulation directly from a MIDI keyboard.

Highlights
  • MIDI Step Sequencer
  • Pattern Creation
  • Live Performance Options
  • Real-time Pattern Manipulation
  • Integrated Synth
  • Action Section (Gatetime, Looper, Slowdown)
  • Ableton Link Support
Read full description

Thesys is an extremely powerful and intuitive MIDI Step Sequencer app, giving you control over just about all aspects of your favorite MIDI devices. Use Thesys to create varied and organic bass lines, screaming leads, pulsating chords, and organic pad sounds in the studio or on stage. For live musicians, Thesys provides an extremely versatile palette of performance options which can be triggered right from your MIDI keyboard: you can transpose, manipulate, twist up, mutate, and mangle your patterns without even getting near your iPad. No other MIDI sequencer plugin offers you the ease and power of Thesys. It is 100% MIDI compliant and therefore provides the ultimate MIDI sequencing solution. iPad Edition Features: • Integrated Synth • Action Section (Gatetime, Looper, Slowdown...) • Pattern Sequencer • Standalone & Audio Unit v3 • Ableton Link Support • MIDI file Export • MIDI Support (Virtual, Netzwerk, Extern, Bluetooth), MIDI Learn & Host Automation • MIDI Clock Sync (Master & Slave) • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share • Zoom

About

Neon

This app is a powerful MIDI step sequencer offering extensive generative features. It allows for complex sequence chaining and external state switching via MIDI. It functions as a standalone application or an AUv3 plugin.

Highlights
  • Generative capabilities
  • Modifier system
  • Metasequencer for pattern chaining
  • MIDI Program Change support
  • Standalone and AUv3 plugin
  • Built-in scales and order modes
Read full description

Neon is a step sequencer with expansive generative capabilities. Features: • runs as standalone or auv3 plugin • sophisticated Modifier system adds numerous generative possibilities • built-in Metasequencer lets you chain patterns to build complex sequences • switch States from an external source using MIDI Program Changes • responsive UI that adapts to different window sizes • wide selection of built-in scales and order modes  Please note: Neon is strictly a MIDI sequencer and does not produce any sound on its own.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Thesys at Free against Neon's $4.99. Thesys also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). Neon's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (88% vs 59%). On rating and ratings volume 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

Thesys is free to download; Neon costs $4.99 up front. Thesys sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Neon asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Thesys against 4.8 for Neon. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 85 and 30 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Thesys's written reviews are positive against 88% of Neon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Thesys ships an update every 3 months, Neon every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Thesys versus Neon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThesysNeon
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.7 (85 ratings)4.8 (30 ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.3% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings85 — better30
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPad — better—
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHAaron Meyers

Customer experience

Thesys

All ratings85 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive59.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative29.6%

Neon

Written reviews24 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative8.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Thesys

One-time1
  • Thesys Full Version$19.99
None

Neon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Thesys free?
Thesys is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Neon free?
Neon costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Thesys or Neon?
Neon is rated higher. Thesys averages 4.7 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Neon averages 4.8 from 30 ratings.
Which is updated more often, Thesys or Neon?
Thesys ships an update every 3 months, and Neon every 6 months. Most recently, Thesys was updated on October 23, 2026 and Neon on October 24, 2026.

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