Comparison

MIDI MACHINE vs Hexapad

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

Head to head
About

MIDI MACHINE

Features
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MIDI MACHINE is a fast, playful performance tool built for generating MIDI melodies on the fly. At the heart of MIDI MACHINE are two creative states: SPARK and STRUCTURE. SPARK mode is all about discovery—rapidly generating fresh melodic ideas and happy accidents. 17 randomized melodic rows drawn from an vast internal library, everything is locked to your chosen key. Each melody is sliced into 10 playable parts, letting you remix and reshape ideas in real time without ever hitting a creative wall. STRUCTURE mode lets you compose and perform with intention and move seamlessly between key pairs to trigger chords. Additionally, genre-based chord-progression suggestions form a real progression from a selected genre, so you can play a coherent sequence. This mode is designed to serve users with and without knowledge of music theory. "Super inspiring tool for sketching melodies quickly, whether you’re in the studio or on the move with a minimal setup. You just start playing around and happy accidents happen."
— early user feedback Core Features * 17 MIDI melody rows per set, automatically harmonized to your chosen key * Each melody split into 10 playable tiles for real-time triggering of your favorite sounds * SPARK mode for instant idea generation and exploration * STRUCTURE mode for fixed chords mapped across key pairs, built in arpeggiator and chord group suggestions * Keep randomizing to generate endless new melodic combinations while keeping your settings * SAVE and recall full sets, including patterns, tempo, and performance modes (SPARK) * Note mode: trigger melodic sequences step-by-step * Chord mode: play full harmonies instantly * Loop ON / OFF: continuously cycle note sequences * Hold OFF: slide across tiles for fluid, continuous runs * Hold ON: trigger full sequences with a single tap * Repeat ON / OFF: retrigger tiles rhythmically (1/4 to 1/64) for pattern creation * Fixed velocity option for consistent dynamics * Edit individual tile MIDI sequences * Reverse entire rows * Octave shift up or down * Double or halve playback speed (Note mode) (STRUCTURE) * Group: Genre-based chord-progression suggestions. Highlights/labels tiles on the grid that form a real progression from the selected genre. * Arp: Turns a held chord into a rolling sequence of individual notes. • Style – 16 note-order patterns (Up, Down, Converge, Pinky Up, Random, etc.). • Rate – Speed of each note: 1/4 to 1/64, relative to BPM. • Groove – Straight (default) or Swing 8/16/32 for a more human rhythmic feel. * Hold OFF: slide across tiles for fluid, continuous runs * Hold ON: trigger full sequences with a single tap * Add automatic Bass Note to each chord * Repeat ON / OFF: retrigger tiles rhythmically (1/4 to 1/64) for pattern creation * Fixed velocity option for consistent dynamics Performance Controls * Global pitch shift in semitones for instant transposition of the entire set * Adjustable BPM with tap tempo and fine control * Flexible visible row count (5–17) for compact or expanded layouts * Scrollable row view with FIRST ROW selection MIDI MACHINE is built for musicians who want a different approach to creating ideas—fast, intuitive, and a little unpredictable. Whether you're sketching melodies or experimenting with generative patterns, it keeps everything playful, unique, and fun."

About

Hexapad

Create music with a unique hexagonal pad interface. Explore built-in synths for various genres, record your own sounds, and easily switch between beat, melody, and bass modes. Save, layer, and export your creations.

Highlights
  • Hexagonal honeycomb pad interface
  • Built-in synths for multiple genres
  • Mic recording kit for custom sounds
  • Dedicated modes for beat, melody, and bass
  • Kit-specific effects (reverb, echo, flanger)
  • Auto-generate beats, melodies, and basslines
  • Export to WAV format
Features
Read full description

Hexapad is an intuitive beatmaker with hexagonal pads arranged in a honeycomb grid. Tap to play short musical phrases, or slide your fingers across the pads to connect sounds. Build your own music one layer at a time, whether you’re an experienced musician or creating your first track. No extra samples needed. Explore built-in sounds spanning Electronica, Techno, House, Hip-Hop, Ambient, Lo-Fi, Minimal, Alternative, and Contemporary. Phrase pads are organized into BEAT, BASS, CHORDS, MELODY, and ACCENT, making it easy to combine rhythms, basslines, harmonies, and melodies. Each pad displays a waveform so you can see the character of its sound. Capture your performance with REC. Your first pad starts a four-bar recording, which loops as you add more phrases. Undo your latest addition, or use SAVE to name and store the take for use in Song. Shuffle the pads to explore new phrases while keeping the phrases you’ve already recorded. Shape your sound in real time with large FX knobs for reverb, delay, filtering, flanger, and more. Adjust the tempo with BPM, or switch sound kits to hear your recorded phrases with a different palette. Turn your voice and everyday sounds into instruments. Open Sampler from the microphone button, record a sound, and play it from a pad. Trim the waveform, reverse the sample, or adjust its pitch, pan, and volume. In Song, layer saved recordings to build a fuller sound, then carry those layers into the next four-bar section. Use the timeline to see where sounds overlap, and add or remove layers to create changes throughout your track. Preview, rename, and delete your saved recordings from the same screen. Need a starting point? Auto creates a song arrangement from your chosen mood and length. Edit the generated layers and sections to make it your own, add fade-in and fade-out, and export the finished track as a WAV file. Connect a USB or Bluetooth LE MIDI controller to take your performance further. Assign the same phrase pads you see in Play to your controller’s keys or pads, and map knobs or faders to FX controls. The free version includes pad performance, FX, and voice recording. Save up to 10 recording takes and 3 songs, and use Auto Short. Complete a rewarded ad to unlock one WAV export. The monthly Hexapad Pro subscription removes ads and recording/song save limits, unlocks Auto Medium and Long, and lets you export WAV files without watching ads. See the purchase screen for local pricing. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled and can be managed or canceled in your store account settings. Your saved work is kept when Pro ends. Enjoy making music — intuitively, right in the palm of your hand. Privacy Policy https://www.ontrails.jp/app/privacy-policy/hexpad/ Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MIDI MACHINE4 screens
Hexapad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MIDI MACHINE at none against Hexapad's shown. Hexapad's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, update cadence, 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. MIDI MACHINE sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Hexapad sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI MACHINE ships an update weekly, Hexapad every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MIDI MACHINE versus Hexapad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI MACHINEHexapad
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNiklas KoellnerONTRAILS

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MIDI MACHINE

One-time1
  • MIDI MACHINE Pro$4.99
1 purchases

Hexapad

Subscriptions1
  • 1 Month Plan$0.991 Month

Questions

Is MIDI MACHINE free?
MIDI MACHINE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hexapad free?
Hexapad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MIDI MACHINE or Hexapad have ads?
Hexapad shows ads; MIDI MACHINE does not.
Which is updated more often, MIDI MACHINE or Hexapad?
MIDI MACHINE ships an update weekly, and Hexapad every 5 days. Most recently, MIDI MACHINE was updated on October 6, 2026 and Hexapad on October 24, 2026.

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