# Thesys vs Neon

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Thesys | Neon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thesys/id655513441/reviews) | **[4.8 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neon/id6471043963/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **85** | 30 |
| Positive reviews | 59.3% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | — |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 29 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPad** | — |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sugar Bytes GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/614418826) | [Aaron Meyers](https://appshunter.io/developer/401260336) |

## What reviewers say

### Thesys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thesys/id655513441)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thesys Full Version | $19.99 | one-time |


### Neon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neon/id6471043963)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*