Comparison

Knob Lab vs Bluetooth Midi Pads

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

Head to head
About

Knob Lab

This application transforms your iOS device into a versatile MIDI controller. It allows you to manage various DAWs and music software remotely via USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth. Create intricate control setups with a single rotary knob, affecting multiple MIDI destinations simultaneously.

Highlights
  • Remote DAW control
  • USB, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
  • Virtual MIDI support
  • Audiobus integration
  • Complex control mapping
  • iPad support
  • MIDI logger
Features
Read full description

Knob Lab turns your iPhone or iPad into a MIDI controller built around one idea: a single knob can do many things at once. ONE KNOB. MANY MOVES. Map a knob to up to 8 MIDI destinations. Each has its own range, direction, channel and colour, so one turn can open a filter, pull the resonance back and bring the delay in over the second half of the sweep. BUILD YOUR OWN MACROS • Control Change, Program Change and Pitch Bend destinations • Name every knob and every destination, so a setup reads at a glance • Invert any range, or start a destination part-way through the turn • Rotate completely, snap to middle, pan left/right, or return to origin on release • A coloured lane for every destination shows where each one is A LAYOUT FOR EVERY SETUP Start with one big knob, or unlock layouts with 2, 6 or 12 knobs on a single screen. PLAYS WITH EVERYTHING • Music apps on the same device, through Knob Lab's virtual MIDI output • Computers over Wi-Fi, with a network MIDI session • A Mac over USB or Bluetooth, with Sonic Logic Central • Class-compliant USB MIDI interfaces and synths plugged into your iPhone or iPad MADE FOR TOUCH Large, precise knobs, a quick guided start, and Dark, Light and Neon themes. The one-knob layout is free. The 2, 6 and 12 knob layouts are in-app purchases, available one at a time or all together.

About

Bluetooth Midi Pads

Transform your iOS device into a wireless MIDI controller. Play your favorite DAWs and instruments on iOS, iPadOS, and desktop using Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI. Features a 16-pad matrix with selectable octaves.

Highlights
  • Wireless MIDI controller
  • 16-pad matrix
  • Selectable octave
  • Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI
  • iOS and iPadOS support
Read full description

Bluetooth Midi Pads turns your iOS and iPadOS devices in a wireless Midi pads controller. Play your favourites iOS, iPadOS and desktop Bluetooth LE Midi DAWs and instruments from your iPhone and iPad. -16 pads matrix. -Selectable octave. -Bluetooth Low Energy Midi. How does it works: Push connect button and in the opened view turn on the switch button. This will make your device discoverable by your Bluetooth MIDI Host, connect it from it and you will can play your MIDI Host from B.M.P.. If your MIDI Host don't support Bluetooth MIDI there are some free apps on the market that creates virtual Bluetooth Midi Ports. Demo video on developer's page.

Screenshots

Knob Lab4 screens
Bluetooth Midi Pads2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bluetooth Midi Pads at none against Knob Lab's 4. Knob Lab's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 66 months) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). On price, ads 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. Knob Lab sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Bluetooth Midi Pads asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Knob Lab holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Knob Lab ships an update every 5 months, Bluetooth Midi Pads every 66 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Knob Lab versus Bluetooth Midi Pads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnob LabBluetooth Midi Pads
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (12 ratings) — better4.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 66 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUri Nachmiaspablo lopez

Customer experience

Knob Lab

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.4%

Bluetooth Midi Pads

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Knob Lab

One-time4
  • Two Knob Layout$0.99
  • Four/Six Knob Layout$0.99
  • Nine/Twelve knob layout.$0.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlock all layouts$1.99
None

Bluetooth Midi Pads

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Knob Lab free?
Knob Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bluetooth Midi Pads free?
Bluetooth Midi Pads is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Knob Lab or Bluetooth Midi Pads?
Knob Lab is rated higher. Knob Lab averages 4.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Bluetooth Midi Pads averages 4.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Knob Lab or Bluetooth Midi Pads have ads?
Neither Knob Lab nor Bluetooth Midi Pads shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Knob Lab or Bluetooth Midi Pads?
Knob Lab ships an update every 5 months, and Bluetooth Midi Pads every 66 months. Most recently, Knob Lab was updated on October 13, 2026 and Bluetooth Midi Pads on September 24, 2026.

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