Knob Lab vs ONE Control Plus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Remote DAW control
- USB, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
- Virtual MIDI support
- Audiobus integration
- Complex control mapping
- iPad support
- MIDI logger
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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.
ONE Control Plus
This app offers a unified platform for music production, combining DAW and MIDI controller functionalities. It features customizable modules for composing your own controllers and emulates popular hardware surfaces for seamless integration with various music software.
- Modular controller customization
- DAW controller emulation (MCU)
- Launchpad controller replica
- Support for MIDI, OSC, and MMC
- Customizable themes and styles
- Multiple controller limit options
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ONE Control Plus introduces a unified app combining ONE Control DAW and ONE Control PRO. Enjoy the Essential plan for free, forever. Or make the most of ONE Control with a one-time In-App Purchase Expansion Pack. Existing ONE Control DAW and PRO users get a free automatic migration to Plus. Essential (Free) * Essential Modular Controller * Essential DAW Controller * Launchpad controller * Limit of 4 controllers DAW Expansion Pack (In-App purchase) * Advanced DAW Controllers * Essential Modular Controller * Launchpad controller * Limit of 10 controllers PRO Expansion Pack (In-App purchase) * Pro Modular Controller * Pro DAW Controllers * Advanced bidirectional MIDI communication * OSC Support * Unlimited Controllers MAIN FEATURES Modular Controller - Compose your MIDI/OSC controllers with a few touches - Dozens of customizable modules: Faders, Knobs, Buttons, Pads, Keyswitches, XY Pads, Envelopes, Stepper, Interactive Displays, Keyboards, Backgrounds - Bidirectional MIDI IN: Components react to external MIDI sources, featuring a quick Learn mode - Four themes: Default, Minimal, Modern, Retro (PRO) - Many customisable control styles (PRO) - Configure actions with custom events: MIDI (CC, Note, etc.), MMC, OSC, Pitch Bend, Realtime, RPN/NRPN, SysEx - Advanced automation workflow with a new Events and Actions UI and Passthrough actions (PRO) - Customisable Multi-Step components (PRO) - Add background textures and images with effects (PRO) - Save up to 128 presets (patches) per controller with MIDI Bank support (PRO) - Organise in multiple pages, navigating quickly with swipe gestures (PRO) - Copy and paste pages or quick paste modules to build faster (PRO) - Add help, comments and best practices for collaborators (PRO) DAW Controller - Faithful replica of the Mackie Control Surface (MCU) - Customisable templates for: Apple Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo, Ableton Live, Cakewalk, Universal Audio LUNA, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper, Reason, Vegas, Tracktion, Bitwig, FL Studio, Audition, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve - Generic MCU template for other DAWs - Dynamic context-aware buttons - Cheat Sheets for major DAWs included - VU-Meters (PRO) - Customisable buttons (PRO) Launchpad Controller - Replica of the Novation Launchpad X - Compatible with Ableton Live and Logic Pro 10.6+ - Play/record clips and live loops - Control Volume, Pan, Sends, Solo, Mute, Record Arm - Play MIDI notes and Billboard scrolling messages OTHER FEATURES - Use your device in Landscape or Portrait orientation - Creators Library: Share custom templates and discover community ones with ratings - External Controller Support: Control ONE Control itself (Preset/Page changes) via external MIDI - Redesigned controller browser with Recents and Favorites - Side inspector for lightning-fast edits - Wired, LAN, and Bluetooth connections - Auto-connect to MIDI Network session (PRO) - MacOS and Windows* host compatibility - Independent MIDI configuration per controller - iPadOS multi-window and Widget support - Switch between controllers with a single tap - Share controllers or save to iCloud Drive (PRO) - Optimized for all iPad models and iPadOS 26 - Step-by-step connection guides and video tutorials *Windows Network MIDI requires an RTP MIDI driver (like rtpMIDI).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Knob Lab at 92% against ONE Control Plus's 29%. Knob Lab also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Knob Lab sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and ONE Control Plus sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Knob Lab holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Knob Lab's written reviews are positive against 29% of ONE Control Plus's.
Knob Lab ships an update every 5 months, ONE Control Plus every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Knob Lab | ONE Control Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (12 ratings) — better | 3.2 (21 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 91.7% of reviews — better | 29.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 21 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 66 MB | 100 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Uri Nachmias | Visuality srl |
Customer experience
Knob Lab
ONE Control Plus
In-app purchases
Knob Lab
- Two Knob Layout$0.99
- Four/Six Knob Layout$0.99
- Nine/Twelve knob layout.$0.99
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- Unlock all layouts$1.99
ONE Control Plus
- ONE Control DAW (Upgrade)Free
- ONE Control PRO (Upgrade)Free
- ONE Control DAW$8.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- ONE Control PRO (Upgrade)$12.99
- ONE Control PRO$17.99
Questions
Is Knob Lab free?
Is ONE Control Plus free?
Which has better reviews, Knob Lab or ONE Control Plus?
Do Knob Lab or ONE Control Plus have ads?
Which is updated more often, Knob Lab or ONE Control Plus?
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