Comparison

Launch Buttons vs BLEASS Groovebox

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

Head to head
About

Launch Buttons

This app acts as a MIDI controller for music production software, allowing users to perform tracks without needing physical hardware. It offers a grid of buttons, scene and transport controls, and can be expanded with additional features through an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • MIDI controller for music production
  • 8x8 button grid
  • Scene and transport controls
  • Step sequencer (with script)
  • Scale mode (with script)
  • Apple Watch extension
Features
Read full description

THIS APP DOES NOT PLAY AUDIO BECAUSE IT'S A MIDI CONTROLLER FOR ABLETON LIVE Launch Buttons is a MIDI controller that lets you perform your tracks wherever you go. You don't need to carry your expensive gear; your phone/tablet is just about enough. Works with virtually any DAW after a very simple set up. Ableton + Launchpad 95 script is recommended. This free version gives you access to all 64 buttons on the 8x8 grid, 8 scene launch buttons, 8 buttons to navigate and 7 buttons for transport controls. The Launchpad95 script gives you a step sequencer, scale mode, and many more functions. The Apple Watch extension lets you access about one fifth of the Buttons. This means that you can use the app to control a 3x3 clip launchers, 3 scene launchers, and 4 arrow keys to navigate through your clips. It also can display some of the buttons used for step sequencing, good enough for a little stunt in a live set I'd say. It includes the the "old" colors (red-orange-yellow-green) - if you want to upgrade, Launch Buttons Plus provides you with - full color support (RGB) - 16 more functions buttons (in addition to the 16 you already have) - 16 freely assignable knobs Have fun :)

About

BLEASS Groovebox

Create, perform, and compose music with this all-in-one beat studio. Features a multitrack sequencer, synthesizers, and drum machines for intuitive beatmaking and sound design. Optimized for both studio and live performance.

Highlights
  • Multitrack sequencer
  • Monophonic & polyphonic synthesizers
  • Drum machines
  • Sample recording and editing
  • Real-time performance controls
  • MIDI and Ableton Link support
Features
Read full description

BLEASS Groovebox brings music production and performance to its very core: play, perform, compose beats, chords and melodies in a new yet intuitive way thanks to its multitrack sequencer, monophonic & polyphonic synthesizers and drum machines. PROFESSIONAL GRADE INSTRUMENT BLEASS Groovebox has been designed for both iPhone and iPad and offers great performance and stability thanks to its powerful realtime audio engine and fully customizable parameters: go deep in the shaping of electronic sounds without being limited by factory presets. WILD BASSES, BEATS AND SYNTHS Record, import and edit your own samples and make sick beats out of the 16 steps sequencer with customizable filters and grooves, as well as binary and ternary quantization. Customize endlessly your monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers by tweaking the effects, envelopes and LFOs ! BUILT FOR STUDIO AND LIVE PERFORMANCE Unique slider controls, long-press & multi-touch controls make this groovebox a perfect live tool: Record/Edit/Start/Stop/Copy/Paste your patterns as you feel like, build and arrange your songs on the fly, apply reverb or delay effects, and let the music live! COMPATIBLE WITH THE iOS MUSIC STANDARDS BLEASS groovebox supports Ableton Link and Inter-App Audio and also works in complete synergy with all of your studio soft- and hardware gear using MIDI IN/OUT and SYNC OUT features. Manage your project files, audio export, import your own samples thanks to the Apple iOS Files Integration. Load BLEASS groovebox in your favorite host or plug your iPhone or iPad in an external sound card to enjoy virtual and physical multi-track output routing. GENERAL FEATURES : > low-CPU and low-latency iOS-dedicated audio engine > up to 16 steps per bar > up to 8 bars per sequence > separate groove settings per track > binary and ternary time signatures and quantization > live and song modes > tap tempo > metronome > speed control for each sequence ( x 0.5 / x1 / x2 ) > multi-touch solo button for each track > start & stop sequences with single tap and double tap > 2 FX sends > 4 tracks sequencer > optimized workflow for a smooth live/studio experience > notes swapping : easily move a note to a different step > major and minor scales DRUM MACHINE > 6 user-customizable samples per track > sample length, attack, release and pitch settings > low pass and high pass filters > post and pre- drive and bitcrusher settings > velocity settings per step (with random velocity option) > sample import via iCloud or Files MONO SYNTHS > up to 9 virtual-analog synthesizers for each track > 2 oscillators + 1 noise > 1 amplifier envelope > 2 filters with 1 envelope > post and pre- drive and bitcrusher > 2 LFOs > presets loading > pitch envelope CHORDS > on the fly chords performance with scales > up to 4 virtual-analog synthesizers for each track > 2 oscillators + 1 noise > amplifier and pitch envelope > 2 filters with 1 envelope > strumming > bitcrusher > 2 LFOs > presets loading ADVANCED FEATURES > expression panels (pads or keyboard) with beat repeat > on the fly sequence recording with quantization > sample recording > iCloud synchronization > live audio export > Ableton Link & Inter-App Audio compatibility PRO FEATURES You can access all the BLEASS PRO FEATURES by purchasing the full unlock (pay once and own forever). As a PRO user, you gain access to all premium features, all samples and all presets packs, as well as upcoming new features and instruments added continuously: > Access to all samples packs (over 1000 samples). New sample packs added regularly! > Projects files management : load, save, import, export… > MIDI in/out > MIDI LEARN (control changes) > MIDI sync out > Presets saving > MIX panel > FXs parameters customization : reverb, delay, ping pong delay > External Audio Routing > Virtual Audio Routing (open separate BLEASS audio channels into any compatible host) Find tutorials and more about our plugins on www.bleass.com

Screenshots

Launch Buttons2 screens
BLEASS Groovebox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: BLEASS Groovebox at 4.2 against Launch Buttons's 2.2. BLEASS Groovebox also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 38%). Launch Buttons's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 9.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. BLEASS Groovebox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Launch Buttons asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BLEASS Groovebox holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Launch Buttons's written reviews are positive against 64% of BLEASS Groovebox's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Launch Buttons ships an update every 2 months, BLEASS Groovebox every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Launch Buttons versus BLEASS Groovebox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLaunch ButtonsBLEASS Groovebox
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (41 ratings)4.2 (38 ratings) — better
Positive reviews38.0% of reviews64.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings41 — better38
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better9.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXAN Software GmbH & Co. KGBLEASS

Customer experience

Launch Buttons

All ratings41 ratings
Positive26.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative68.3%
Written reviews108 reviews
Positive38.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative54.6%

BLEASS Groovebox

All ratings38 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral7.9%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive64.1%
Neutral20.5%
Negative15.4%

Bugs and requests

Launch Buttons

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App doesn't work for many users
  • Cannot connect to Ableton Live
  • Buttons don't respond
  • Pads don't light up
  • Transport controls perform wrong functions
Show 5 more
  • MIDI messages not recognized by Ableton
  • App crashes or freezes
  • Watch app doesn't sync properly
  • Menu overlay bug
  • Occasional lack of sound/light

Requested features

10 requests
  • Make the app fully functional without payment
  • Improve connection stability
  • Iron out minor glitches
  • Add status indicator or labeled buttons
  • Provide visual feedback when buttons are pressed
Show 5 more
  • Allow users to put their own music on it
  • Add USB support
  • Improve watch app synchronization
  • Fix the menu bug where exit button is unpressable
  • Make the free version more functional

BLEASS Groovebox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Launch Buttons

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

BLEASS Groovebox

One-time1
  • Full Unlock$4.99

Questions

Is Launch Buttons free?
Launch Buttons is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BLEASS Groovebox free?
BLEASS Groovebox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Launch Buttons or BLEASS Groovebox?
BLEASS Groovebox is rated higher. Launch Buttons averages 2.2 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while BLEASS Groovebox averages 4.2 from 38 ratings.
Do Launch Buttons or BLEASS Groovebox have ads?
Neither Launch Buttons nor BLEASS Groovebox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Launch Buttons or BLEASS Groovebox?
Launch Buttons ships an update every 2 months, and BLEASS Groovebox every 6 weeks. Most recently, Launch Buttons was updated on October 24, 2026 and BLEASS Groovebox on October 24, 2026.

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