# GridStep vs Hex MIDI

The clearest difference is price: Hex MIDI at Free against GridStep's $3.99. GridStep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Hex MIDI is free to download; GridStep costs $3.99 up front. Hex MIDI sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GridStep asks for nothing beyond the download.

GridStep ships an update every 2 weeks, Hex MIDI monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GridStep | Hex MIDI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joe Topjian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112) | [Trung Dung Hoang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896778927) |

## What reviewers say

### GridStep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258)

A professional MIDI step sequencer offering a focused grid-based workflow for clear, controlled, and predictable music creation. It functions as a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin, ideal for both live performance and composition.

**Highlights:** Grid-based MIDI step sequencing, Explicit edit modes for notes, velocity, slides, and mutes, Trigger-based step advance, Controlled pattern generation, AUv3 MIDI effect plugin, Standalone app functionality

**In-app purchases:** none


### Hex MIDI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hex-midi-isomorphic-keyboard/id6771364879)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hex MIDI Pro | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GridStep free?

GridStep costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Hex MIDI free?

Hex MIDI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do GridStep or Hex MIDI have ads?

Neither GridStep nor Hex MIDI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GridStep or Hex MIDI?

GridStep ships an update every 2 weeks, and Hex MIDI monthly. Most recently, GridStep was updated on October 11, 2026 and Hex MIDI on October 4, 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.*