Comparison

MIDI Aid vs Aurora (MIDI Controller)

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

Head to head
About

MIDI Aid

Features
Read full description

MIDI Aid is a MIDI monitor: connect your MIDI devices and see every incoming event in one clean, technical view. Whether you are debugging a synth patch, checking a controller mapping, or just curious what your gear is sending, MIDI Aid shows you what is really happening on the wire. CAPTURE • Live event log with precise timestamps • Start, pause, and resume capturing at any time • Clear the log with one tap • Follow mode keeps the newest events in view UNDERSTAND • Every event decoded into plain language: notes with names and velocities, controllers with their standard names, program changes, aftertouch, pitch wheel, and more • Raw status and data bytes side by side with the decoded event • Hex or decimal display, your choice • Tap any event for a detail view including the full raw bytes FILTER • Focus on what matters: filter by device, event type, and MIDI channel • Channel events, system common events, and system real time events can be toggled individually • Mute noisy events like Timing Clock or Active Sensing with one tap DEVICES • Works with USB MIDI devices out of the box • Network MIDI sessions and Bluetooth MIDI devices set up at system level appear automatically MIDI Aid supports all 16 MIDI channels, running status, and System Exclusive messages. No account, no ads, no tracking. Your MIDI data never leaves your device.

About

Aurora (MIDI Controller)

Transform space weather data into musical expression with this live MIDI controller. Connect to your DAW and map real-time electromagnetic readings to create unique soundscapes and dynamic tracks.

Highlights
  • Live data streaming from observatories
  • Flexible MIDI mapping
  • Connects to DAWs like Ableton Live
  • Cross-platform compatibility (iOS, macOS)
  • Creates ambient and techno music
Features
Read full description

Aurora is a live MIDI controller powered by real-time data from space weather observatories and satellites. Connect Aurora to your favorite DAW (like Ableton Live) and transform electromagnetic readings into musical expression. Features: • Live data streaming from NOAA and Dombås observatory • Flexible MIDI mapping for CC controls • Works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac Catalyst Whether you're crafting ambient soundscapes or building dynamic techno tracks, Aurora connects your music to the rhythms of the planet.

Screenshots

MIDI Aid3 screens
Aurora (MIDI Controller)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Aurora (MIDI Controller) at every 8 days against MIDI Aid's every 35 months. MIDI Aid's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $2.99). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

MIDI Aid costs $0.99 and Aurora (MIDI Controller) $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Aid ships an update every 35 months, Aurora (MIDI Controller) every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MIDI Aid versus Aurora (MIDI Controller): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI AidAurora (MIDI Controller)
Price$0.99 — better$2.99
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 35 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias WissmuellerJason Snell

In-app purchases

None

MIDI Aid

No in-app purchases

None

Aurora (MIDI Controller)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI Aid free?
MIDI Aid costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aurora (MIDI Controller) free?
Aurora (MIDI Controller) costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do MIDI Aid or Aurora (MIDI Controller) have ads?
Neither MIDI Aid nor Aurora (MIDI Controller) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Aid or Aurora (MIDI Controller)?
MIDI Aid ships an update every 35 months, and Aurora (MIDI Controller) every 8 days. Most recently, MIDI Aid was updated on October 7, 2026 and Aurora (MIDI Controller) on October 7, 2026.

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