Comparison

AirBending vs Stackwax

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

Head to head
About

AirBending

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a hands-free MIDI and OSC controller using just your hands. Control music software, synthesizers, or play built-in instruments with expressive gestures. Supports wireless connection to computers and hardware.

Highlights
  • Hands-free MIDI and OSC control
  • Use iPhone/iPad camera for tracking
  • Wireless connection to Mac and hardware
  • Built-in AUv3 instrument hosting
  • Customizable hand mapping and scales
  • Works with popular DAWs and DJ software
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad camera into a hands-free MIDI and OSC controller. No extra hardware, no wearables. Just move your hands to control any DAW, software synthesizer, DJ software, or virtual instrument with natural, expressive gestures — or play the instruments already installed on your device through the built-in Audio Unit host. Use the front camera to control your own setup, or flip to the back camera and let your audience join the performance. Try it free for 14 days. ** Control Any Setup, On Stage or Across the Network ** Send MIDI and OSC data wirelessly to your Mac, connect directly to class-compliant hardware synthesizers over USB-C, or play any installed AUv3 instrument right on your device. With built-in RTP-MIDI and OpenSoundControl (OSC) support, your iPhone or iPad becomes a wireless controller for your entire studio network — browse and connect to Macs, modular rigs, or any networked device without a single cable. Each preset stores its own independent OSC destination, so switching between songs means switching your entire routing automatically. ** Front or Back Camera, Your Choice ** Track your own gestures with the front camera while performing, or switch to the back camera to track someone else. Point it at your audience and let them control effects, visuals, or sounds with their hands. ** Perform Confidently in Any Lighting ** Automatic low-light detection and GPU-accelerated frame enhancement keep hand tracking reliable on dark stages, dim studios, and moody live sets — where other camera-based tools struggle. ** Smart Presets with Custom Hand Mapping ** Assign up to 4 parameters per preset across two axes and both hands. Map horizontal movement to pitch across any musical scale, vertical movement to dynamics, filter cutoff, resonance, volume, or pitch bend. Save unlimited presets for different songs, instruments, or performance setups. ** Custom Scale Builder ** Go beyond standard major and minor scales — chromatic, major and minor pentatonic are built in, or select any combination of notes to create custom scales, experimental modes, or unique melodic sequences tailored to your music. ** Works with Your Favorite Music and Performance Software ** AirBending integrates directly with Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, GarageBand, FL Studio, Traktor, Serato DJ, rekordbox, Resolume, VDMX, and any MIDI or OSC compatible app. Choose any MIDI channel from 1 to 16 per preset and assign independent CC numbers to each hand and axis for precise control. Hand tracking uses Apple's Vision framework for ultra-low latency and jitter-free control signals. ** Simple, Fair Pricing ** Start with a full-featured 14-day free trial — no account required. When it ends, unlock everything forever with a single one-time purchase, or keep playing in a free limited mode (one hand, one preset, one camera). No subscriptions. Key Features: - Hand tracking MIDI and OSC controller for iPhone and iPad - Built-in AUv3 instrument hosting — play installed synth apps directly from your gestures - Front and back camera support for self-tracking or audience interaction - Real-time gesture recognition with smoothing for stable control - RTP-MIDI wireless network MIDI with Bonjour peer discovery - USB MIDI for class-compliant synthesizers and hardware - OpenSoundControl (OSC) support with per-preset routing - Enhanced low light hand tracking for stage and studio - Custom scale and note selection, plus chromatic and pentatonic scales - Notes, control changes, and pitch bend output - Unlimited preset saving and recall - Works with any MIDI or OSC compatible DAW, DJ, or VJ app - No additional hardware required - Free 14-day trial, then a one-time unlock or a free limited mode Note: AirBending controls other software via MIDI and OSC, and can also play Audio Unit instruments installed on your device.

About

Stackwax

Features
Read full description

Stackwax is the shelf for DJs. You hear a track. You need the BPM, the key, the Camelot code. You need it in your library before the night is over. You want to buy it on vinyl. StackWax does all of it in one tap. Hold your phone up. StackWax identifies the track, detects the BPM and key in real time, gives you the Camelot code, and shelves it directly into your library. Then the library works for you. Sort by BPM, by key, by Camelot. Drag tracks into playing order and sketch your next set before you step behind the decks. When you find something you want on vinyl, tap through to the Discogs listing and buy it without leaving the app. Connect your existing Discogs collection and import your records. Everything in one place, organised the way DJs think. Built for DJs who take music seriously. Works in clubs, record shops, at home, anywhere music is playing. Free to start. No credit card required. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

AirBending4 screens
Stackwax4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Stackwax at every 5 days against AirBending's every 3 weeks. Stackwax also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. AirBending sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Stackwax sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AirBending ships an update every 3 weeks, Stackwax every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
AirBending versus Stackwax: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirBendingStackwax
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNanas Sound OUMartin Allais

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AirBending

One-time1
  • AirBending Full Access$12.99
3 purchases

Stackwax

Subscriptions2
  • Stackwax Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Stackwax Pro Annual$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Stackwax Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is AirBending free?
AirBending is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stackwax free?
Stackwax is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AirBending or Stackwax have ads?
Neither AirBending nor Stackwax shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AirBending or Stackwax?
AirBending ships an update every 3 weeks, and Stackwax every 5 days. Most recently, AirBending was updated on September 20, 2026 and Stackwax on September 24, 2026.

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