Launch Buttons vs WiDI MIDI Studio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- MIDI controller for music production
- 8x8 button grid
- Scene and transport controls
- Step sequencer (with script)
- Scale mode (with script)
- Apple Watch extension
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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 :)
WiDI MIDI Studio
Create custom MIDI control surfaces and sequences for your music production. Map buttons, pads, knobs, and faders to send MIDI events and control instruments or DAWs. Features an integrated step sequencer for composing musical ideas.
- Customizable MIDI control surface
- Integrated step sequencer
- MIDI CC and Note generation
- MIDI network session support
- Automate CC values
- Group sequences for synchronized playback
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WiDI is a control surface with an integrated step sequencer in which you create controls such as buttons, pads, knobs and faders to send MIDI events and play sequences. • CONTROL SURFACE AND SEQUENCER: A control is bound to a channel and a specific MIDI Control Change. You can either specify the CC number if you know it, or let the app learn it. Once placed on the surface, use this control to interact with your MIDI device. Alternatively, any CC event sent by your device will be shown live by the control(s) bound to this CC. Pads are special controls: they can either produce MIDI CC events, Notes or Program changes. If bound to a CC, the pad can act as an on/off switch (you specify the values for each state.) If bound to a note, each tap produces the specified MIDI note. This is especially useful to operate MIDI instruments without keyboards such as synthesizer modules or drum machines. A sequence can hold as many tracks as you wish, and send notes to different MIDI channels. Sequences can play in sync or running freely. You may also group sequences together to start or pause them at the same time. • MIDI: To interface WiDI with any MIDI instruments/devices connected to your Mac or PC, connect to a MIDI Network Session on your Mac or your PC. On a Mac, this is natively supported by macOS, and you do not need to install third party software (use Audio MIDI Setup.) On a PC running Windows, you might want to install rtpMIDI. As an alternative to MIDI Network Sessions, you may use the WiDI Desktop Application. It acts as a MIDI bridge between the network and your MIDI hardware. You can install the desktop application on as many computers as you want (it's free!). It's a very lightweight package that doesn't need to perform any installation procedure whatsoever. You may download the WiDI Desktop Application for macOS on the Mac App Store, or go to : https://www.hypertide.com/widi/ for both macOS and Windows archives. Additionally, any class-compliant MIDI interface natively supported by iOS can also be used directly by WiDI without the need of a network connection. • FEATURES: ○ Use any CoreMIDI-supported MIDI interface connected to your device ○ MIDI network session: use WiDI as an external control surface for any DAW such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, ... ○ Multiple iPhone and iPad can connect to your computer, allowing different control surfaces simultaneously ○ Integrated step sequencer: create sequences, each one holding as many tracks as needed ○ Sequences can run freely or in sync and start simultaneously if grouped together in fire groups ○ Auto discover MIDI CC : you don't need to know each one to add controls, WiDI learns CC numbers sent by your devices ○ Automate CC : sweep ranges or use the step modulator to design patterns to modulate controls values, supporting various advanced options like step-by-step or smooth variations, bouncing, repeating, changing speed ○ Add as many pads as you want to generate MIDI Notes, Control Changes or Program Changes ○ Flexible control surface : set layout and grid size for both portrait and landscape orientations ○ Re-arranging controls is as simple as drag & drop ○ Fully customizable user interface : themes, colors, display of values and labels, aspect ratios, grid spacing, grid coloring, background, ... ○ Integrated File Manager to load and save your surfaces, which are also accessible in the iOS Files app and your computer's iTunes connection ○ Exchange surfaces between devices with the integrated QR code generator and scanner ○ Or use the share feature, so you may import them on any device. We'd love to hear from you! Should you be in need of support or eager to request a new feature, please contact us at support+widi@hypertide.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: WiDI MIDI Studio at 5.0 against Launch Buttons's 2.2. Launch Buttons's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (41 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. WiDI MIDI Studio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Launch Buttons asks for nothing beyond the download.
WiDI MIDI Studio holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Launch Buttons has 41 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Launch Buttons ships an update every 2 months, WiDI MIDI Studio every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Launch Buttons | WiDI MIDI Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (41 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 38.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 41 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 10.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | XAN Software GmbH & Co. KG | HYPERTIDE SAS |
Customer experience
Launch Buttons
WiDI MIDI Studio
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
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- 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
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- 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
WiDI MIDI Studio
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Launch Buttons
No in-app purchases
WiDI MIDI Studio
- WiDI Fully Unlocked Version$1.99
Questions
Is Launch Buttons free?
Is WiDI MIDI Studio free?
Which has better reviews, Launch Buttons or WiDI MIDI Studio?
Do Launch Buttons or WiDI MIDI Studio have ads?
Which is updated more often, Launch Buttons or WiDI MIDI Studio?
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